Does tea have an expiration date: how long can green, black, brewed tea be stored?

Does tea have an expiration date?

All food products have a specific expiration date, which the manufacturer indicates on the packaging. It may vary depending on the country of collection, manufacturer, variety and packaging method.

Before purchasing tea, please read the following information:

shelf life;
country and place of packaging;
date of collection;
packing date.

Packaging of high-quality high-grade tea occurs only at the place where tea leaves are collected. If it was collected in one country and packaged in another, then the shelf life of such a product is reduced several times.

21.05.2018

How long does tea last?

Each product has its own expiration date.
Some food or drinks do not spoil for years, while others expire almost on the third day. Our customers often ask the question - how long can tea be stored and what is its shelf life? It's no secret that a delicious, aromatic drink - tea - has long dominated the whole world and, moreover, is gaining more and more fans every year. Often, when buying several varieties of different teas at once, a person chooses the most delicious one by sampling, and the rest remain on the shelf, waiting for their turn. We already know that tea is a rather sensitive product to external factors and the taste and aroma completely depend on the correct way of storing it. We store it correctly

When storing tea, everything is important - smells and humidity, air temperature and even the lighting of the storage area. Tea masters unanimously claim that finished products of high-quality tea come out at ten percent humidity. This is the threshold for tea. If the humidity is higher, the oxidation process will begin in the tea, and this will worsen the taste. Moreover, with high humidity in tea, bacteria will begin to multiply quite intensively, mold will appear, and then the tea will be completely spoiled.

To avoid unpleasant surprises in the form of moldy packaging, pour the tea into a porcelain bowl with an airtight lid.

Porcelain will protect the tea leaves from oxidation under high humidity, and the sealed lid will preserve the aroma, as it will not allow foreign odors to enter the jar. It is important to know that transparent glass and plastic jars are not suitable for storing tea. Because light will easily enter the jar, which will accelerate the process of destruction of tea leaves.

Cardboard or paper packaging will not work either. It is not recommended to store tea in the refrigerator, which many people consider to be the only right decision. The refrigerator always has high humidity, as well as low temperatures that are undesirable for tea. White, red, pu-erh and oolong teas are perfectly stored at home. The main rule is sealed packaging.

But the shelf life depends not only on the storage method.

Black tea can be stored for a maximum of one and a half years. Of course, drinking expired tea will not harm your health, but there is absolutely nothing beneficial in such tea.

Oolong tea can be stored for no more than a year.

The green variety of tea holds the record for the fastest expiration date - only six months.

Pu-erh variety can be considered long-lived. Its shelf life, when properly stored, reaches ten years.

What is written about this in GOST

GOST 33593 - 2013 provides a detailed description of tea, and also describes the types and their quality indicators: organoleptic properties, taste and aroma.
GOST 1937 - 90 details the basic requirements for packaging, transportation and storage of black tea. In accordance with this GOST, the shelf life from the date of production is 8 months.
GOST 3716 - 90 has developed control parameters for green tea production. It also spells out the basic requirements for sorting rules, transportation and storage conditions. This regulatory document states the shelf life of the product is 12 months from the date of manufacture.

How to identify low-quality tea

Immediately when purchasing, you need to pay attention to the packaging box. It must be intact, without damage. Also, high-quality tea has a shelf life of no more than 2 years. A high-quality drink will never be cheap. It is better to buy loose leaf teas packaged in opaque bags or paper bags that are placed in tin or clay jars. There must be a protective film coating on top that does not allow foreign odors to pass through.

Poor quality tea can be identified by its appearance

When you open the package, a pleasant and rich aroma should emanate from it. The tea leaves should be almost equal in size. The presence of tea dust or broken fragments at the bottom of the pack is not allowed. If it is black or red tea, the color of the leaves should be as close to black as possible. Properly dried leaves do not crumble into dust; when you try to break them, they crunch. When brewing, a foam forms at the top, which does not disappear within a couple of minutes. Freshly brewed tea has a slightly astringent taste on the tongue.

Under no circumstances should a film be created during welding.

If you have not yet opened the package, but are not satisfied with something, you have the right to return the product back to the store. If upon opening you find unpleasant odors or mold, you can also return the product back. In both the first and second cases, you must have a receipt with you.

Shelf life of different types of tea

The timing of drinking the drink is determined by the type of tea, as well as the packaging conditions and the country in which the leaves were collected. Depending on the fermentation method, the properties of tea, its taste, color and, accordingly, shelf life change.

Black

This drink accelerates redox processes in the body's cells. In closed, original packaging, tea can be stored for up to 12 months. After opening the package, it is usable for two to three months.

Green

Tones the body and quenches thirst well even on the hottest day. It contains alkaloids, tannin and many antioxidants. Strengthens blood vessels, helps intestinal function and has disinfectant properties. In sealed original packaging it can be stored for a year, after opening - up to three months.

Yellow

This variety is radically different from those collected from tea bushes. In fact, it is made from the seeds of the medicinal plant “camel grass” or “shamballa”. It also differs in appearance from classic tea, resembling cereal.

Egyptian yellow tea can retain its healing and taste properties for five years. To prevent it from spoiling ahead of time, you must follow storage rules. This variety very quickly absorbs foreign odors and moisture, therefore, it is customary to store it in containers that are hermetically sealed. Tin or earthenware containers are best suited for storage.

White

Expensive, therefore a drink rarely found on supermarket shelves. Contains a minimal amount of caffeine, which makes it more beneficial for the body and easily tolerated. And thanks to the large number of essential oils in the composition, it has an extraordinary taste and aroma.

There are 6 varieties of white tea, each type is collected from specific tea bushes. Only intact, young leaves are suitable for brewing the drink. For more elite varieties, only one top leaf is plucked from each bush.

Before purchasing, you need to pay attention to the expiration date and production date. White tea retains its properties only for 12 months. After this time, all beneficial properties are lost. If the leaves were purchased by weight, their shelf life should not exceed 5 months. Tea should be stored in an airtight container, away from spices and other strong-smelling foods and substances. The storage temperature should be between 19 and 20 degrees, and the humidity percentage should not exceed 60.

Hibiscus

Made from the sepals of the Hibiscus flower. It has healing properties, as it contains citric, malic and other organic acids. The drink tones the body well and is useful for normalizing blood pressure. It should be used with great caution by people suffering from gastrointestinal ulcers or gastritis. Tea does not lose its taste and beneficial qualities for two years. It is recommended to store in a dark and dry place.

Pu'er

This variety is valued for its special taste and unique smell, which are acquired during fermentation. There is an opinion: the older the tea, the tastier and healthier it is. Unfortunately, this opinion is wrong. The period during which you can drink pu-erh depends on its variety. Tea that undergoes natural fermentation, called Shen Puer, can be stored for 8 to 10 years. “Shu Puer” is subjected to accelerated, artificial fermentation, so it can be stored for up to three years.

Blooming Sally

The plant has unique properties. Various infusions and decoctions are prepared from it, which are very beneficial for the human body. But in order for the brewed drink to be truly healthy, it is necessary to properly store the raw materials. According to GOST, dried Ivan tea can be stored for up to two years. But scientists from the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences claim that if storage conditions are observed, the shelf life is up to 30 years, while the taste and healing properties only improve over time. It is best to store this tea in “breathable” packaging. These can be envelopes made of paper or linen.

Oolong

A unique and magical tea, the production process of which combines the method of processing green tea leaves and fermentation and fermentation of black tea. Its delicate taste preserves the freshness of green tea and the long aftertaste of black tea. After purchasing oolong, it is recommended to store the opened package in the refrigerator in an airtight container or container. In a dry, cool place it can be stored for a very long time.

Terms and conditions of tea storage

The shorter the shelf life of tea leaves, the more carefully the storage conditions are selected. Do not keep the package open. The product exhales, moisture and microbes enter it. Drying out threatens brittleness, the sheets turn into dust.

Storage requirements:

temperature from +15 to +25 degrees;

humidity up to 70%;

sealed packaging.

Do not keep the tea leaves next to aromatic spices. Good neighbors - sealed coffee, herbal teas. Pasta, buckwheat and other grains are suitable. They are also afraid of moisture. You can allocate a separate cabinet for all this.

In bags

Drinks in bags have the longest shelf life. Tea can be stored for up to three years, sometimes manufacturers indicate storage conditions. Why such deadlines? It's simple - waste and low-grade raw materials are used. It is often masked with dried fruits and other additives. It makes no sense to preserve natural substances, to try to preserve the original taste, which is not in the dust.

Sheet

The loose product is more valuable than the sachets.
Modern people use it less often, as it requires a vessel for brewing. In an office environment and the rhythm of life, there is no opportunity to use it and waste time on washing dishes. Even a child can handle brewing tea bags. But true connoisseurs prefer sheet tea leaves. The average shelf life of leaf tea in cans and paper packs is 12 months. With additional protection of the container it reaches two years. In a vacuum 3-4 years.

Shelf life of loose leaf tea and tea bags, is there a difference?

Sheet is a more expensive product than bagged. It retains its qualities throughout the year. Packages of loose leaf tea indicate a shelf life of 2 years. When purchasing, it is best to choose raw materials that have not been a year from the date of manufacture. After opening the package, it is advisable to consume the drink within 1 - 2 months.

For the production of packaged goods, raw materials of lower quality are used. It often contains dust and waste products from the production of loose leaf tea. Therefore, it can be stored for no more than 6 months.

How to store tea?

Tea requires careful handling. Only then will he be able to thank the owner with his best qualities. Here are approximate conditions of detention:

Room temperature.
A room with normal humidity.
No direct sunlight.
Staying away from odorous foods, spices, herbs.

Brewed tea also has its own timing.

What happens if you drink expired tea?

At the end of its expiration date, tea loses its beneficial effects on humans. The color and aroma of the drink changes. The taste will become less harsh, sometimes even unpleasant.

Is it possible to drink tea that has expired?

It is unlikely that you will be poisoned by such tea, but it will still cause harm to the body. During storage, a substance accumulates in tea, which contributes to the development of malignant tumors. It's called aflatoxin. The coefficient of this harmful component becomes maximum at the end of the shelf life. The presence of fungal or mold signs can cause food intoxication. The main sign of an expired hot drink is the formation of a white film when brewing.

We recommend checking the expiration date, packaging and packaging points before purchasing a drink. You should not risk your health and drink expired tea. Buy the product in small quantities so that you use it as quickly as possible.

How long can tea bags be stored?

It is recommended to store tea bags in sealed packaging for about 6 months.

Boxes and boxes for storing tea bags

Storing tea is no less important a process than brewing it. How long the drink will have its beneficial properties and aroma depends on proper storage. For long-term and high-quality storage, special containers should be used. These can be containers, jars, boxes or boxes.

It is preferable to use tin or ceramic cans, as well as special boxes and caskets made of wood.

Such containers can protect tea bags from harmful sunlight and foreign odors. Do not forget that each variety must have its own container, otherwise the new batch will absorb the smell of the previous one. If this is not possible, the box can be washed and dried thoroughly.

Package

The shelf life of tea is usually indicated on the packaging. If there is no expiration date, then it is probably fake. Few people pay attention to the date, but in vain... It’s practically impossible to get poisoned, but tea whose expiration date has long expired will lose its taste and aroma. And you won’t be able to enjoy the drink.

You should also pay attention to the expiration date of tea from different manufacturers - it can be indicated differently:

expiration date: this period of time after which drinking the drink is undesirable;
shelf life: the period of time during which the tea is recommended to be consumed;
best before: indicates the date until which the drink will be tasty and healthy.

But, regardless of the volume or composition of the tea, it can be stored until the date indicated on the label.

This is important to know:

The aroma is not so pronounced, the taste changes, the color becomes less rich when the tea expires soon. In other words, you will no longer enjoy the drink.
The shelf life of tea leaves is from 1 to 3 years. Most often, the average date is 2 years. The shelf life of different types of tea differs slightly.
Type of tea. There are quite a lot of them known and their name is determined not only by taste, but also by color: black, green, red, white, yellow. The specific shade depends on the degree of fermentation. This is the best case scenario. Also, flavors and additives can add color to the drink.
In case of poor packaging (not airtight or poor quality packaging), it is better to use the tea within a month, then it loses its properties. You will feel it right away - it will no longer be the same drink that you bought and drank before.

Tea still has an expiration date. You should carefully study the label before purchasing this or that type of tea.

How to drink tea correctly?

To ensure that the drink brings maximum benefit and pleasure, follow simple rules of consumption:

Don't brew the tea too strong. The brew can be checked by the color of the liquid. Green tea colors the water a delicate, almost transparent color. Black tea will make the liquid slightly reddish, not dark.
Cool the tea to 70 degrees and only then start drinking it. The fact is that it is at this temperature that the delicate taste of tea and its magnificent aroma are revealed. Moreover, you will not be able to burn the mucous membranes of your mouth with the drink.
Experts advise avoiding sugar in tea. It adds extra calories and harms the body. Honey should also not be put into the drink. Hot water will destroy all the beneficial elements in the product. It is better to drink tea and eat a few tablespoons of honey separately.
Dried fruits will help add flavor to tea and have a beneficial effect. You can also drink the drink with fresh fruit.
A person can drink no more than 5 cups of black brewed tea per day. The dose of green tea is no more than 2 teapots per day.

Experts advise completely avoiding drinking tea bags. They contain tea dust and processed remains of the leaf product. This raw material usually does not have a strong taste or aroma. Therefore, chemical colors and flavors are added to tea to attract the attention of buyers. Drink from sachets stains tooth enamel too intensely. In addition, it releases acid into the stomach and leads to frequent constipation.