Buzz
Find out whether it's safe (and still tasty) to enjoy your tea past its "best by" date.
If you're wondering whether those expired teabags tucked away in your pantry are still okay to brew, the answer might surprise you! Even though teabags come with an expiration date, that doesn't always mean they've gone bad. Before you toss them out, learn if your old teabags are still safe for consumption and how to properly store different teas to keep them fresh longer.
Can teabags spoil?
Yes, teabags can spoil if not stored correctly. Signs of bad teabags include moldy bags or leaves, and a lack of aroma or a musty smell. When stored properly in an airtight container to prevent mold, teabags can remain safe to use even after their expiration date. However, some varieties like green tea may lose their flavor and potency after 2-3 years.
How to Check
Is it safe to drink tea after the expiration date?
Yes, tea is generally safe to drink after the printed date. Teas usually have "best by" or "sell by" dates, not expiration dates. These dates are provided by manufacturers to indicate when the tea may begin to lose its flavor and freshness, but they don't mean the tea will be unsafe to consume. Expiration dates, on the other hand, indicate when a product becomes unsafe to drink.
- Even after the "best by" date, teabags can still be safe to drink. Some teas remain flavorful for months beyond the recommended date. So if you find old teabags in your pantry – even those that are 2, 5, or even 10 years old – don’t hesitate to brew them. They may still provide a great cup of tea.
- However, some teabags can spoil before the "best by" date. The date becomes irrelevant if the tea has been stored improperly and absorbed excess moisture. Always check your teabags carefully before brewing to make sure they haven’t spoiled.
- The term “go bad” can vary when it comes to old teabags. If you find mold or discoloration, or if the teabag smells rotten, it should be discarded. But if the only issue is a lack of scent or flavor, the tea is still safe to drink.
How to spot bad teabags
Mold on the teabags or leavesMold is a clear sign that your teabags are no longer safe. If you notice any green, white, or black spots on the bags or leaves, throw them away immediately. Consuming moldy tea exposes you to harmful mycotoxins, which can make you ill.
- Even newly purchased teabags can develop mold, depending on factors like where the tea was grown and how it was processed and stored by the manufacturer.
No fragrance or a musty, stale odorOver time, most teas lose their scent. If your teabags have no smell at all, the tea you brew will likely lack flavor as well. You can still drink it if you don’t mind the absence of taste.
- On the other hand, a moldy, smoky, or stale odor means the tea has become moist and its quality has deteriorated.
Change in appearanceFor certain types of tea, the color of the leaves inside the teabag can give you an indication of whether it's still ideal for brewing. This is especially noticeable with green tea, where fresh leaves should appear light green, not brown or golden.
Stale or bitter tasteIf the look and smell of your old teabags don’t raise any red flags, try brewing a cup. Take a sip, and if the flavor is flat, stale, or bitter, it’s clear that it’s not going to be enjoyable to drink.
Store teabags in a sealed container. To preserve their quality, keep them away from oxygen, sunlight, and moisture, all of which can cause tea to spoil more quickly. This will help your tea stay flavorful and fresh for a longer period of time!
Use a tin, glass, ceramic, or metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Steer clear of plastic containers, as they can absorb odors and potentially alter the flavor of your tea. Consider using separate containers for different tea types to maintain their distinct flavors and aromas.
Keep your teabags away from direct sunlight. Exposure to sunlight and heat will accelerate the degradation of your tea, causing it to lose its color, aroma, and flavor. Opt for an opaque container that blocks light from reaching your teabags.
Keep teabags away from other strong-smelling items. Tea leaves can absorb odors from nearby items with potent fragrances. For example, avoid storing your black tea next to an herbal tea or a coffee container.
Don't store teabags in warm places like the stove. Heat accelerates oxidation in tea leaves, altering their flavor. The only heat you want near your teabags is the boiling water you use to brew them!
- Keep teabags in a cool, dry pantry or cupboard. This environment will help preserve their freshness and protect them from external elements.
How Long Different Teas Retain Their Freshness
Green tea and white tea stay fresh for about 1 year. These delicate teas don’t undergo fermentation during processing like black or oolong teas do. To enjoy their full health benefits, consume them before their flavor and potency decline.
- Green tea, for example, offers several health benefits, including antioxidants that may help fight cancer.
Matcha, a powdered form of green tea, starts losing flavor after 3-6 months. After that, its taste, color, and aroma will gradually fade. Fresh matcha boasts a vibrant green color and a bold, grassy flavor – a taste some love and others find too intense.
Black tea remains fresh for about 2 years. Black tea leaves undergo full oxidation after harvesting, giving them a bold, robust flavor that distinguishes them from green or white teas. Drinking black tea has been shown to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and reduce the risks of stroke and cancer.
Some oolong teas can last up to 2 years. These teas are partially fermented, falling between green and black tea in flavor. Oolong tea has also been linked to reduced risks of hypertension and cardiovascular-related deaths.
Herbal teas are good for up to 2 years after purchase. Unlike traditional teas, herbal teas are made from various herbs, which are steeped in water to release their flavors. Popular herbal varieties include peppermint, chamomile, ginger, vanilla, and various fruit-infused blends.
Pu’erh tea is fermented and can age for decades. During processing, microbial bacteria remain on the leaves, continuing to ferment the tea over time. If stored long enough, this fermentation process alters the tea's flavor profile.
What to Do with Expired Teabags
Scatter the contents of used teabags around areas with unpleasant odors. Common areas that trap bad smells include trash bins, refrigerators, and shoes. The tea leaves will absorb and help neutralize these unwanted scents.
- If the teabags are moldy or emit a strange odor, dispose of them. It’s unsafe to reuse teabags that are moldy or rotten.
Use a damp teabag to clean glass and mirrors. The tea can help remove grime, fingerprints, and other dirt, leaving your glass surfaces clean and shiny again.
Use tea brewed from expired teabags to water plants that prefer acidic soil. Plants like hydrangeas and evergreens thrive in such conditions. Afterward, you can add the teabags to your compost to enrich it and recycle the bags.
Place wet, expired teabags on red or irritated skin. These teabags can be used to soothe bug bites, pimples, or puffiness around the eyes. The antioxidants in the tea help reduce inflammation. Once the bags dry out, remove them from your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to consume expired teabags? Yes, expired teabags are generally safe to drink, as long as they retain a pleasant aroma, are free of mold, and brew into a normal-tasting cup of tea.
Can I drink teabags that are 10 years old? Yes, as long as there’s no sign of spoilage. However, keep in mind that most teas will have lost a significant amount of their flavor after a decade on the shelf.
Do Lipton teabags expire? Lipton suggests that most of their tea varieties be brewed and consumed within 18 months of production. The date printed on their packaging indicates when they recommend discarding the tea.
