I was digging through some things and found an old new can of matcha. It was in a small black tin with bunch of words I can't read except for expiry date or best by date which was something 08 , I forget the month.
It is in a sealed foil bag, placed in black tin. I have read through some posts and many people have said matcha has a very short shelf life, some said 1 month, many said 3. Now is this for opened matcha or sealed matcha too? It has been kept in relatively dry place not exposed to much heat.
Do you think one year- 1 1/2 year old matcha is still drinkable?
Has anyone tried matcha this old before and come out alive and well?
Dec 17th, '09, 16:15
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Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Re: Found some year old matcha is it any good?
Best thing to do is open it and try. Often the color will be "off." But still try it. It will likely have mellowed or faded at least some. Might also be good for food use.
Re: Found some year old matcha is it any good?
Unless allowed to mold, tea never truly "goes bad", but it may taste closer to cardboard than fresh matcha. At least you know it won't hurt you. 
Re: Found some year old matcha is it any good?
Sell it at a ridiculously high price on Ebay to some poor sucker as "aged matcha." 
Re: Found some year old matcha is it any good?
Thanks for the reassurances people, I will give it a go.
If it doesn't turn out good to taste I can always go across the tracks and sell it to some crackhead. "It's called 'the Hulk' ... it will mess you up man!!"
If it doesn't turn out good to taste I can always go across the tracks and sell it to some crackhead. "It's called 'the Hulk' ... it will mess you up man!!"
Dec 18th, '09, 14:17
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Location: PA, USA
Re: Found some year old matcha is it any good?
HAH! greatchurng wrote:"It's called 'the Hulk' ... it will mess you up man!!"
I was in this situation with my first can(s) of matcha. On a trip to Japan I picked up 2 small cans. Burned through the 1st in reasonable time, and neglected the 2nd. I opened it a year later and was really disappointed, and tossed it.