Does tea expire?

Whether tea expires is a question every tea lover wonders about. Whether it’s the typical teabag or the more natural dried leaf format, good storage is the key to increasing its shelf life. The passage of time affects its properties, taste and aroma. Below, we’ll look at how to store it and what happens when it expires.

All these qualities can be found in Tea Shop teas. Our product range includes the most popular varieties (such as black tea, green tea, red tea and white tea) as well as others including decaf tea and blue tea (oolong tea). We also have different combinations with ginger, cinnamon and liquorice, to name only a few.

DOES EXPIRED TEA RETAIN ITS PROPERTIES?

There are no contraindications to drinking tea that’s expired, although it loses much of its characteristic aroma and flavour. Contrary to what one might think, tea does have a shelf life, as it’s not a dehydrated product. The leaves are dried, but some of the moisture is left in to preserve the fresh aromas and flavours. For this reason, tea has a shelf life of two to three years.

As long as it’s packaged, you can see if your tea is expired simply by checking the expiry date. For natural tea leaves, the shelf life is 2-3 years.

However, once the packaging has been opened, it’s best to drink it within the next 10 weeks. Green tea expires a little earlier than black and white tea as the latter are non-oxidised varieties. Our recommendation is to consume green tea within 6 months of opening.

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO STORE YOUR TEA?

The best place to store tea is another common question among tea lovers. It has a very sensitive aroma that’s affected by other strong smells, meaning it can absorb them and lose its essence.

A cool, dark, dry place is ideal. Avoid places that are close to the kitchen or bathroom, as the steam can affect it. It’s a very delicate substance and its charm lies in its unmistakable and pleasant aroma.

Although tea bags are the most popular format on the market, which are able to preserve the aroma without damaging it, tins are another great option for preserving tea. They’re particularly good for tea because, on the one hand, they keep it in a dry and closed place thanks to their airtight sealing, and on the other hand, unlike glass jars (which are not recommended for storing tea), they protect it from both ambient light and direct sunlight, which helps it to keep all its properties, aromas, textures and flavours intact.

The tea storage tins you’ll find at Tea Shop are brass tins with an internal lining that lets you put the tea directly inside them, as they’re suitable for food.

When cleaning the tea tins, it’s important not to submerge them or use too much soap and water. Scouring pads are also not recommended. The tins are not dishwasher safe.

For perfect cleaning, we recommend using a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris, both inside and out, and then wiping with kitchen paper to remove the moisture. To avoid leaving tea residue, you can use a brush, and then proceed as described above.

So, the bottom line is that tea does in fact expire, but you can still enjoy your drink in perfect conditions by following these guidelines. This drink is a delight to enjoy in the morning, afternoon and evening.