There are many comments about whether black tea expires, and you've probably wondered this many times. We've analyzed the shelf life of black tea. And we've asked ourselves, can I still consume the black tea I bought in Türkiye? And if I've never touched the tea, can I still use it? Let's find out in this article.
Shelf Life of Black Tea. What is Tea?
Before understanding the shelf life of black tea, it's important to understand what tea is, because its composition is precisely what determines its shelf life. Its production is based on the Camellia sinensis plant, and it must be fresh to undergo the oxidation and drying processes.
Depending on the type of tea, the corresponding oxidation process is applied to obtain the desired flavor. For example, white tea barely undergoes oxidation, while black tea undergoes a lengthy oxidation process. Other varieties are obtained with partial oxidation, such as green tea , yellow tea, oolong tea , and red tea .
Now, since it's a natural product, we might think it has an expiration date, and that this varies from one type of tea to another. Let's see if that's true.
So… does black tea expire?
We'd say yes and no. Being a fresh product, it would logically expire, but there is one exception. The shelf life of black tea relates to those products that are perishable and present a risk of acquiring microbes. However, this isn't the case with tea, as it is a durable product.
The expiration date doesn't apply to tea, but rather to the best-before date, which means that once the recommended date has passed, it's likely to lose its characteristics. That said, there's no real health risk if consumed.
It's important to understand that not all teas last the same amount of time. This depends not only on the type of tea but also on its presentation. For example, crushed tea is not the same as loose tea. Storage will also influence its properties; if stored improperly, it will expire more quickly.
Shelf Life of Black Tea: Tea Bags and Loose Tea
Knowing the shelf life of black tea bags is very simple; we can find out just by looking at the packaging. But what about loose tea? In case you didn't know, loose black tea lasts much longer than loose tea bags. This is due to the rolling of the leaves, which helps to better preserve and preserve their natural oils, flavor, aroma, and color.
A tip we give you: when buying tea bags, choose pyramid tea bags, because in addition to infusing well, they retain their natural flavor.
How to store them?
As for how to store it to extend its shelf life, it's recommended to choose a cool, dry place, free from humidity, excess air, and away from direct sunlight. Also, keep the packaging intact, as this will help preserve the tea.
The varieties of tea that exist
It's normal to think that the expiration date of a tea influences its type. Everything depends on its level of oxidation. Here are some examples:
- White tea . It's recommended to consume it within the first six months of purchase to prevent its properties from being lost.
- Green tea. It has low oxidation, just like the previous tea, so the same recommendation applies for the first 6 months after purchase. Additionally, if the tea is processed on a hot surface, it can be kept intact for up to 2 years.
- Oolong tea. Its properties last approximately two and a half years.
- Black tea. The shelf life of black tea is one year; more oxidized varieties tend to last longer.
Will anything happen to me if I drink expired tea?
You already know that tea has a best-before date because it's not at risk of being contaminated by microbes, which means that if you drink tea that's already expired, nothing will happen to you, at least if it hasn't become contaminated with mold.
When the best-before date reaches its best-before date, the tea you drink will have less body and lose some properties. Therefore, you probably won't experience the same flavor or aroma when you try it.
How can I tell if my black tea has reached its expiration date?
Maintaining hygiene and food safety is the way to avoid foodborne illness. It may not be a perfect technique, but your senses are often a reliable way to tell if your tea has gone bad. If it has, its pleasant aroma will disappear. When tea is spoiled, it means its natural oils have been lost over time, causing the leaves to lose their flavor.
To prevent this from happening, use more tea bags or additional leaves to prepare a new infusion. However, spoiled beverages pose a health risk, so be careful with food and consume your beverages before they expire.
Finally, we can say that black tea's shelf life doesn't expire in the same way as milk, meat, or cheese. When we talk about expiration, we refer to the loss of its properties, color, aroma, and flavor, but it wouldn't pose a health risk.
Tétique organic teas are prepared to extend their shelf life for a long time, thanks to their packaging that guarantees their freshness and preservation. You can purchase the tea in loose tea or in bags , whichever you prefer.
At Tetique, we are expert suppliers of black tea , with extensive experience in the market. We focus especially on offering our products to hospitality businesses and cafes seeking to provide a quality experience to their customers. Our black tea is of the highest quality and carefully selected to ensure a perfect cup of tea every time. Trust Tetique to bring the best selection of teas to your business.
