People who like to drink tea generally like to buy tea and store tea. There are also some people, because of business entertainment, often receive tea from others. So, the house was full of tea leaves, and I couldn't finish drinking them for a while. It may be left unattended and the tea leaves will expire, especially green and yellow teas with a short shelf life.
Sometimes, when you open the tea cabinet at home and find a few bags of tea leaves that have passed their expiration date, you may ask yourself, "Can you still drink these teas?" "This problem is widespread, especially for those who like to stock up on tea.
So, can you still drink tea after its expiration date? The old tea guest tells you: if these 2 points are okay, you can drink them boldly and confidently, and it will not affect your physical and mental health.
1. What is the shelf life of tea?
First of all, we need to understand what is the shelf life of tea. Shelf life refers to the period of time during which a product maintains its best quality under specified storage conditions.
For tea, the shelf life is generally marked on the package as ranging from 1 to 3 years, depending on the type of tea and storage conditions.
1. Green and yellow tea
Green tea is unfermented, yellow tea is slightly fermented and has a shorter shelf life, usually around 1 and a half years. Green and yellow tea should be stored in a cool, dry, dark, airtight environment, preferably in the refrigerator to maintain its fresh taste.
2. Black tea
Black tea is fully fermented and has a long shelf life, generally 2 to 3 years. Black tea should be stored in a dry, dark, well-ventilated environment, away from high temperatures and humidity.
3. Oolong tea
Oolong tea is a semi-fermented tea with a shelf life of 2 to 3 years. Oolong tea should be stored in a cool, dry, dark, and sealed environment, and can be stored in tea cans or vacuum bags. Tieguanyin and Gaoshan oolong need to be refrigerated in the refrigerator, and Dahongpao, Phoenix single fir and other products can be stored at room temperature.
4. Black, white, and pu-erh teas
Dark, white, and pu-erh teas have the characteristic of "the older they get, the more fragrant they are". They have a long shelf life and can reach 10 years or even more. Black, white, and pu-erh teas should be stored in a ventilated, dry, odor-free environment, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
2. Can I still drink tea after the expiration date?
Just because tea has passed its expiration date doesn't necessarily mean it can't be drunk. The sell-by date is only a suggested period that indicates that the tea will maintain its best flavor and quality during this time.
After the expiration date, the tea may lose some of its aroma and taste, but it is still drinkable as long as it is stored properly and there are no obvious signs of spoilage. The following two points are crucial.
1. Check the appearance and smell of the tea leaves
First, open the package and take a closer look at the appearance of the tea leaves. Fresh tea leaves are bright in color and dry without foreign matter.
If the tea leaves are moldy, discolored, or have a distinct odor, it means that it has spoiled and can no longer be drunk.
If the tea leaves look normal, smell it again. Although the aroma may be weakened, it is basically drinkable as long as there is no off-smell or musty smell.
2. Taste the tea soup
If the tea leaves look and smell normal, you can try brewing a small portion to savor the taste of the tea soup.
If the tea soup is clear and has no peculiar smell, and the taste is acceptable, it means that the tea can still be drunk.
It is important to note that tea leaves that have passed the expiration date may be a little bitter or have a bad taste, and if it is difficult to accept, you can choose not to drink it again.
3. Tips for storing tea
To extend the shelf life of your tea and maintain its best quality, here are some tips for storing your tea:
1. Keep it tightly sealed
Tea leaves are easy to absorb moisture and absorb odors, and sealed storage can prevent tea from being polluted by moisture and odors.
2. Store away from light
Light will accelerate the oxidation of tea leaves and affect their quality. Store the tea leaves in a dark place, or use an opaque container for storage.
3. Cold storage
Low temperatures can slow down the oxidation rate of tea leaves. For tea leaves with a short shelf life, such as green tea, they can be refrigerated in the refrigerator for storage.
4. Dry environment
Keep the storage environment dry to avoid the tea leaves from getting wet and moldy. A desiccant can be placed in a tea container to absorb excess water.
5. Keep odors away
Tea leaves are easy to absorb odors, so they should be avoided when stored with items with strong odors, such as spices, chemicals, etc.
Fourth, the treatment method of tea after the expiration date
If you find that the tea has passed its expiration date and the taste and aroma are not as good as before, there are other ways to deal with it besides drinking:
1. Make tea pillows
After the expired tea leaves are dried, they are put into a cloth bag to make a tea pillow. Tea pillows have good moisture absorption and breathability, which helps to improve sleep quality.
2. Detergent
Tea has a certain adsorption capacity and can be used to clean glass, mirrors and other items in the home. After soaking the tea leaves in water, soak a rag to wipe the stains, and the effect is very good.
3. Deodorant
Expired tea leaves can be used as a natural deodorant and placed in refrigerators, shoe cabinets and other places with odors to absorb odors and keep the air fresh.
4. Fertilizer
Tea is rich in organic matter and minerals, which can be used as fertilizer for plants. Spreading tea residue on the surface of the soil helps in the growth of the plant.
All in all, just because tea has passed its expiration date doesn't necessarily mean it can't be consumed. As long as it is stored properly and there are no obvious signs of spoilage, expired tea leaves can still be consumed.
However, the taste and aroma of expired tea leaves may be reduced, and if it is difficult to accept, other uses can be chosen. In order to guarantee the best quality of the tea, it is recommended to drink it within the expiration date, while paying attention to the correct storage method.