Can tea go bad after awhile?

[mark076h]

I have a bunch of tea from Adagio teas that I have not touched in about 5 months they are sitting in the tins. Does green tea go bad after a while? will it still retain all the anti oxidants and health benefits?

[brad4419]

Hi Mark, welcome to teachat.

Maybe someone more experianced could be of greater help but from what I have read your tea should be fine.

If stored properly in airtight, light proof containers green tea will last about a year but its best to drink it within 6 months of harvest to enjoy the full flavor. I think after about 6 months it starts loosing much of its flavor. Black tea can last several years.

As for the health benefits Im not really sure maybe as the tea dries out some of the oils may be lost but for the most part they should still be good. Enjoy your tea

[Chip]

The first thing you could notice with aging green teas is a slight diminishing of the flavor.

It is best to use green teas generally as soon as possible, but on a rare occasion, a green might improve with a little age, and some are intentionally aged, but these are truly exceptions to the rule.

Japanese sencha should be used within a month or 2 ideally. Chinese greens if taken care of can last much longer but is best w/in 3-6 months depending on the tea!!!

Nutritionally, I doubt there would be much of a reduction in the healthful benefits. BUT the healthiest tea is the tea that you actually enjoy ... and therefore are more apt to drink regularly.

[TEAcipes]

Like Chip said, Japanese greens should be consumed within 2 months of breaking the nitrogen seal... Meaning, if they're in the little Adagio tins, drink it ASAP. With matcha, the oxidation can happen in a matter of weeks.

They're not bad, it's just that they kinda turn yellow and taste... well, old. You can always pan-fry them to make houji-cha or toss some roasted rice to make genmai-cha. Or, stuff it in a sock and use it as a shoe deodorizer.

[mark076h]

ok thanks a lot i just ordered some fresh tea, along with a rooibos sampler

[brad4419]

Wow, thanks for your replys Chip and Teacipes I don't remember where I got my info from but it must not have been reliable. This makes me rethink how I drink my tea.

[Chip]

I should clarify, "of opening!"

An unopened bag can last up to a year or so if properly packaged and stored.

Once opened, the timer is running, so to speak.

[parkerlindsey]

Hi to all ,I don't think so.I have been drinking green tea for a long time and I did not get any problem with it.If some one is very sensitive to caffeine then there are some of symptoms like restlessness, irritability, sleeping problems, tremor may be occur but in rare case.

[tenuki]

Old green tea lives again as hojicha. Watch in amazement as these two stoned young canadians show you how...

clicky --->

[Smells_Familiar]

i give them an "A" for effort and intent.