Many tea drinkers have this question: How can you tell if tea has expired? Can you still drink expired tea?

Generally, all products have a shelf life, and tea, as an agricultural product, is no exception. However, the determination of tea's shelf life is often ambiguous. Why is this? How can you tell if it's expired?

National food safety standards specify shelf life requirements for most teas, except for fermented teas like Pu'er, white tea, Guangxi Liubao, Anhua dark tea, and Tibetan tea. These teas, if stored properly without moisture, not only do not expire but can also improve in flavor over time. However (and this is crucial): Regardless of regulations, if tea develops mold, it has spoiled and must not be consumed. Moldy tea is unsafe!!!

Green tea, black tea, and lightly fermented oolong tea typically have a shelf life of 12 to 24 months. This depends on packaging and the tea's moisture content. Loose-leaf tea, which isn't sealed from moisture and light, tends to have a shorter shelf life.

How to tell if green tea, black tea, or lightly fermented oolong tea has spoiled: 1. Check for mold; 2. Smell for musty or off odors; 3. Brew and taste to see if the tea lacks freshness or astringency.

Generally, "expired" tea that isn't moldy can still be consumed, but its flavor and aroma may have degraded, making it less enjoyable. With rising living standards, such tea is often discarded.

PS:

Expired tea doesn’t have to be thrown away—it has other uses:

1. Dehumidifying and deodorizing, such as in refrigerators or new furniture.

2. As plant fertilizer. It’s a natural option—bury a small amount in soil (to prevent pests) for excellent results.