Everyday Storage Methods for Green Tea at Home

1. Pack the tea in sturdy, odorless, sealable food-grade plastic bags or aluminum foil bags, squeeze out the air inside, and seal them. Alternatively, after sealing, you can store them in the refrigerator.

2. Use sturdy metal cans, stainless steel cans, or tin cans. Before placing the tea inside, ensure there is no Odor to prevent the tea from absorbing unwanted flavors. Then, place the cans in a cool, dry location.

Green Tea is prized for its freshness, so new tea is best, usually within one year. Storing it for too long changes its flavor and composition, which may not be beneficial to your health.

Can 10-Year-Old Green Tea Still Be Consumed?

If we consider the expiration date, green tea that has been stored for 10 years is certainly past its prime and should not be consumed. This is because the expiration date of green tea is not the last possible time for consumption but rather the optimal period for drinking. From processing to sales and consumption, green tea goes through multiple stages. If stored improperly, it might become moldy and unsuitable for drinking in just a few months or even less.

We must also take into account the storage conditions for green tea, which require low temperatures for preservation, as well as protection from light, moisture, and proper sealing. If placed in a hot and humid environment without adequate sealing, green tea will change color and flavor within 7 to 10 days and will definitely spoil within a month. However, if stored in a relatively suitable environment, kept sealed and dry with a temperature range of 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, it can be stored for a longer period.

While we cannot say with certainty that it can be stored for 10 years, after two or three years, when taken out for consumption, it will not pose any harm to health; however, the aroma and flavor will be much milder, affecting the overall drinking experience to some extent.

In daily life, it is not recommended to drink green tea that has been stored for 10 years. Unlike other fermented teas, green tea is sought after for its freshness. If you want to drink aged tea, opt for dark tea or White Tea instead of insisting on green tea.

What Is the Shelf Life of Green Tea?

For fresh teas like green tea, the shelf life is typically shorter, usually around one year under normal temperature conditions. Within this period, it is best to consume it as soon as possible. Storing it for too long results in a loss of freshness and diminished flavor. Once the shelf life has expired, do not drink the green tea.

Sealed packages of green tea generally indicate an expiration date. For loose green tea, where the expiration date is unknown, you can determine whether it has gone bad by smelling the aroma, examining the dry leaves, and assessing the tea liquor. If it smells stale, moldy, or has a sun-dried odor, it is best not to consume it.

If the dry leaves appear dull yellow and are no longer crisp, feeling soft and containing more moisture, they have likely spoiled. After brewing, if the taste is predominantly watery, lacking freshness and vigor, and the tea liquor appears brownish and lacks clarity, it indicates spoilage.