Tea is rightfully considered one of the most popular drinks in the world; it is consumed daily by almost all families. But do you know how long tea last?
But almost no one thinks that this aromatic drink has its own expiration date, which must be observed so as not to harm your health.
Does tea have an expiration date?
Like any other food product, tea has its own expiration date. As a rule, the manufacturer puts it on the package.
Therefore, when buying tea products, the Consumer should carefully read the following information:
- Product manufacturer;
- Where the tea was packaged;
- Shelf life.
Depending on the country of collection of tea leaves and the method of packaging raw materials, the shelf life of products can vary significantly. For example, if the leaves were collected in one country and packaged in another, then the shelf life of such tea cannot exceed one year.
The expiration date for tea
The shelf life of tea products directly depends on the variety, the country of cultivation, and the method for processing the leaves. Depending on the ability of tea to oxidize, several varieties of the drink can be distinguished with different shelf life:
- Black tea is stored no more than 9 months;
- Ground tea retains its properties for 1 year, but only if the storage rules are observed;
- The shelf life of white tea varies depending on the subspecies of this drink. The shelf life can be either a year or 5 months, so you need to carefully look at the information on the package;
- Yellow tea is stored for up to a year;
- The red variety retains all its useful properties for 3 years;
- Hibiscus is also stored for 3 years;
- Pu-erh only gets better with age, so its shelf life is not limited in any way.
How Long Does Tea Last? In a package
You can store tea products in the package for the period indicated on the box, in general, up to one year. After opening it, the shelf life is significantly reduced and can be 1 month.
Shelf life before and after opening the package
The shelf life of tea products directly depends on the type of packaging used:
- Sachets. As a rule, inexpensive material is used for tea bags, so tea dust and impurities of other varieties can be found in them. In this regard, the shelf life of such a product should not exceed 6 months, and if stored in a closed package;
- Placer. Dry tea retains all its beneficial properties throughout the year and is stored in vacuum packaging. On packs, manufacturers most often put down a period of two years, so it is best to choose the freshest products. The shelf life of an open package with loose tea should not exceed one month;
- Pressed tea. This product is formed from by-products of production. Due to its shape, tea retains its beneficial properties for a long time, so its shelf life is 8 months;
- Bottled. There is no benefit from this tea, so its shelf life is one year;
- Ivan tea or other herbal product can be stored for up to three years, subject to all the conditions specified on the package.
Optimal storage conditions
In order for tea products to retain their beneficial properties longer, when storing it at home, the consumer must observe the following recommendations:
- The storage location must be dry and protected from heat and cold;
- The tea temperature should be close to room temperature;
- Exposure to tea in direct sunlight is not recommended;
- It is desirable that the product be in a ventilated area;
- Since tea absorbs all aromas well, other products with a strong smell should not be placed next to them.
How to recognize a delay
After the expiration date, tea products lose all their useful properties. When brewed, its smell becomes unpleasant, and the taste is not tart. Accordingly, such tea will not be able to deliver any benefit or pleasure to the consumer.
In addition, there are several main reasons why it is not recommended to use an expired product:
- Aflatoxin accumulates, which can cause the development of a malignant tumor;
- Drinking such a drink does not bring any pleasure;
- If the tea has fungus and mold, the consumer may get food poisoning.
Attention! The first sign by which an expired product can be recognized is the formation of white foam on the surface.
To avoid negative consequences, when buying, you need to pay special attention to the period indicated on the product packaging, the place of production, and where the product was packaged for sale.
It is better to stop buying a product whose shelf life does not exceed a year. Only in this case, the consumer can be sure that the finished drink will please him with a bright aroma and unusual taste.
How to store tea, expiration dates of different types
Not everyone knows that tea has a shelf life and shelf life. These two factors can drastically affect the quality of the drink, so you should approach the issue of storage and shelf life with all seriousness.
About the concept of the “shelf life of tea”
Like any food product, tea has an expiration date, which must be indicated by the manufacturer on the product packaging.
Since it is produced in different countries, the expiration date may vary significantly. It should be remembered that the collection may be made in one country, and the packaging in another. In this case, the shelf life is immediately reduced by half.
In addition, the duration of storage may vary depending on the variety and species.
Shelf life of different types of tea
There are more than 10 types of tea, not to mention the varieties, of which there are several hundred. This diversity is due to the fact that each variety has its own production technology. In addition, different varieties have their own shelf life.
Black
Black tea has a fairly long shelf life due to the peculiarities of production. The product undergoes a special heat treatment, during which all bacteria and microbes are destroyed. This contributes to the fact that it can be stored for 2 to 4 years from the date of production.
Green
The shelf life of green Chinese or Ceylon leaf tea should not exceed 1 year. It is recommended to buy such a product in small portions weighing 30-50 grams in order to consume it in a short time, because. it quickly loses its useful qualities.
yellow
For yellow tea, the shelf life can vary from 6 to 12 months. The important thing is that the fresher it is, the more health benefits it will bring.
White
From the moment of packaging, white tea is stored in a warehouse to complete fermentation, after which it must be consumed as soon as possible, usually for up to 6 months. The product does not tolerate cargo transportation and a sharp change in the climate.
Ulunov
Chinese oolong can be stored for several years, provided that the product is placed in special refrigerators, where a constant low temperature is maintained.
Puerh
Pu-erh is a special product made from fermented Chinese camellia leaves. Tea material is pressed, given any of the traditional forms (brick, cake, mushroom, and tablet). After that, the product is sent for storage in a special room, where it can be stored for decades. Over time, pu-erh does not deteriorate, but, on the contrary, acquires a rich aroma and beneficial properties.
How long can tea bags be stored?
Tea bags are recommended to be stored in closed packaging for about 6 months.
Boxes and boxes for storing tea bags
Storing tea is no less important process than brewing it. How long the drink will have 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 caskets.
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 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.
Shelf life of brewed tea
The brewed tea is recommended to be consumed 5-10 minutes after brewing. It is at this moment that he is able to transfer all his useful and healing properties. If the drink is left idle for more than 2 hours from the moment of brewing, all the useful substances in it will simply oxidize and disappear, and, therefore, its shelf life will come to an end.
Such a drink will not bring much harm to the body, but you should not expect any therapeutic effect from it. In addition, it will lose its pleasant taste and become sharp and bitter.
Is it possible to drink tea after the expiration date
It is impossible to use tea after the expiration date, because. not only does it not contain useful properties, but it can also harm the body. An expired product can significantly increase the level of fluoride in the body. Excess fluoride compounds can lead to osteoporosis and muscle weakness.
In addition, expired tea can contribute to the formation of bone spurs, leading to joint pain and fusion of the vertebrae. An increase in the amount of fluoride due to the use of an expired product can provoke the development of kidney disease, as well as destroy tooth enamel.