To Drink or Not to Drink? What to do with Old Tea.

We all have it. Forgotten, tucked away in the back of the cupboard. Old tea. Who knows how long it's been there. Probably longer than we think. The question: to drink it or not to drink it?

Does Tea Go Bad?

From a safety standpoint, tea leaves don’t "go bad," or “spoil” in the way fresh food does. They do however gradually lose their flavor over time. This doesn't mean the tea is unsafe to drink. It just means it may not taste as fresh as it once did.

The rate at which tea leaves lose their flavor and become stale isn't as simple as a date on a package. Processing and storage also play a role.

Less processed teas such as green and white teas tend to lose their freshness more quickly than more oxidized teas such as black and dark/puerh.
Exposure to air, light, heat and moisture will cause tea to deteriorate more quickly.

So that long forgotten tea in the back of your cupboard may still be fine well past the best by, purchase by, or expiration date on the package.

What It Really Means When Tea “Expires”

Best by dates are not the defining factor in a tea's freshness or age.

All true tea is made from the leaves of the Camelia Sinensis plant. While the leaves undergo a fixing process specific to the type of tea being produced, which halts oxidation, the decomposition process cannot be prevented completely. The natural flavor oils in the leaves continue to slowly oxidize or evaporate. Meaning that the aging of tea occurs over time, not on the exact date on the package.

Tea's arch-nemesis - air, light, heat, and moisture - will cause tea to oxidize/age more quickly by depleting its natural oils. Proper storage can help fight these enemies and keep your tea fresh longer. To learn more about tea storage check out my blog "How to Store Tea."

How To Tell If Your Tea is Stale

A dull aroma, flat taste, and thin mouthfeel are signs that your tea is past its prime.

Smell: Stale tea smells flat or even musty. If the aroma of the dry leaves is weak or off, the flavor of the brewed cup will be as well.
Appearance: Tea leaves that have faded in color, accumulated dust or an oily residue can be a sign of age or poor storage.
Taste: If the brewed cup is sour, oddly bitter, or appears cloudy or slimy the leaves may have been contaminated.

While mold is uncommon unless the leaves have been exposed to moisture. It appears as white, grey or green fuzz on the leaves and means the tea should be thrown out.

To Drink or Not To Drink?

Old or expired tea is usually safe to brew and drink. Just be aware that It may not steep the most vibrant cup,

If you're not interested in drinking it, expired tea can still be put to good use. Here are a few ideas to help you think outside the cup: