When Mr. Zhao's home was being cleaned, he accidentally turned out some long-hidden tea leaves, including black, white and pu'er tea, which he had carefully selected and purchased at a high price.
Mr. Zhao was a little hesitant to throw away these teas, which seemed to be a bit wasteful, but if he brewed and drank them rashly, he was worried about whether it would cause adverse health effects.
So, Mr. Zhao decided to call a friend who knew tea for advice. On the other end of the phone, his friend told him without hesitation: "Of course you can drink it! ”
Hearing such an answer, Mr. Zhao's doubts in his heart were slightly reduced, and he immediately decided to brew a pot and taste the long-lost fragrance of tea. However, things did not go as smoothly as Mr. Zhao expected.
After drinking the pot of tea, his stomach began to ache and he spent the whole night running back and forth between the toilet and the bed. This made Mr. Zhao wonder if those tea leaves that had been stored for a long time really couldn't be drunk?
01
What benefits can regular tea bring to the body?
First of all, tea is rich in antioxidants such as tea polyphenols and catechins, which can effectively remove free radicals in the body, thereby delaying aging.
Like brave soldiers, they charge forward, defending against oxidative damage caused by the external environment, leaving our skin firm, elastic and youthful.
Secondly, the caffeine in tea can stimulate the central nervous system and improve mental agility and concentration. This is because the caffeine in tea stimulates the cerebral cortex, allowing us to be more focused and efficient in dealing with challenges at work and in life.
In addition, tea also has the effect of lowering blood lipids and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Tea polyphenols in tea can inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol and reduce blood lipid levels, thereby preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.
This is especially important for modern people, because with the acceleration of the pace of life and the change of diet, cardiovascular disease has become one of the main killers of people's health.
02
The article clarifies whether the black tea, green tea, and Pu'er tea that have been kept at home for several years can still be brewed and drunk?
For many tea lovers, the charm of aged tea is irresistible. But for those friends who are new to the tea ceremony, there will inevitably be doubts in their hearts: Won't these tea leaves that have been precipitated over the years expire?
In fact, the shelf life of tea is closely related to its production process and contents. Black tea, processed by full oxidative fermentation, contains ketones and alcohols that give it relatively stable properties. Therefore, black tea does not need to worry too much about its oxidative deterioration when it is stored, and its shelf life can usually be as long as two to three years.
Green tea, on the other hand, differs from black tea in that it is rich in theanine, especially those that are of high quality. However, this theanine gradually breaks down over long periods of storage, resulting in a gradual weakening of the flavor of green tea. Therefore, green tea is known as "intolerant tea", and its shelf life is usually only about one and a half years.
Pu-erh tea is a unique existence, and its aroma will become more and more intense with time. As long as it is stored properly,
The shelf life of Pu-erh tea can even be as long as 15 years or more
, and even have a saying that "the older you get, the more fragrant, and the older you get, the more expensive you are".
Generally speaking, as long as it is stored properly, even if the tea leaves have expired for a certain period of time, they can still be consumed. However, once the tea leaves become moldy, it is not recommended to continue drinking them even if they are still within the expiration date.
03
How can you tell if tea has gone bad?
First of all, we can tell if the tea has gone bad by looking at its appearance. Fresh tea leaves are more vibrant in color, with green teas being emerald green and black teas being dark brown.
Tea leaves that begin to deteriorate will become dull in color, and even spots or mildew will appear. If you notice a significant change in the color of the tea leaves, it may be a sign that the tea has deteriorated.
Secondly, smelling the smell of tea is also an effective way to judge whether it has deteriorated. Fresh tea leaves have a unique fragrance, such as the fragrance of green tea and the richness of black tea.
And the tea leaves that start to deteriorate, the smell will become dull, and even give off a musty or peculiar smell. If you smell a noticeable difference in the smell of tea compared to fresh tea leaves, it may be a sign that the tea has gone bad.
In addition, it is also possible to judge whether the tea has deteriorated by observing its texture. Fresh tea leaves are softer and have some elasticity. Tea leaves that begin to deteriorate appear drier and have a more fragile texture. If you notice a significant change in the texture of the tea leaves, it may be a sign that the tea has deteriorated.
In addition to the above methods, we can also further judge whether the tea has deteriorated by the taste after brewing. The tea soaked in fresh tea leaves has a mellow taste and a sweet aftertaste.
Tea leaves that begin to deteriorate will have a bitter or thin taste, or even a peculiar smell. If you notice a significant difference in the taste of the tea compared to fresh tea leaves when you taste it, it may be evidence that the tea has gone bad.
04
Expired tea, it turns out that there are these 4 wonderful uses? Don't throw it away
First of all, expired tea leaves can be used as a natural air freshener. Used tea residues are dried and placed in the corner of the room or in the closet, they can absorb odors in the air and make the home more pleasant.
Secondly, expired tea is also an excellent cleaning assistant. The tea polyphenols in tea have a natural ability to cleanse and decontaminate. After soaking expired tea leaves in water, wiping the surface of furniture or cleaning kitchen grease with tea water is not only effective, but also adds a touch of natural fragrance to the home.
In addition, expired tea leaves are also a treasure for plant lovers. By burying expired tea leaves in the soil of the pot, they are able to decompose to provide nutrients to the plant and promote plant growth. At the same time, tea residue can also be used as an organic fertilizer to make the green plants in the home more lush.
Finally, expired tea leaves also help to soothe the skin. Tea is rich in antioxidants and vitamins that have a good nourishing effect on the skin. After soaking expired tea leaves in water, washing or applying a face with tea can relieve dry skin, itching and other problems, and restore smooth and delicate skin.