Here ’s what you want to have it off before you start steeping the tea you found at the back of your pantry .
It ’s exculpated that tea is no passing fad or buzzy nutrient style ; humans have been drinking it since about 2700 BC , accord to historians at theUK Tea & Infusions Association . But the afternoon tea are n’t well-nigh as timeless as the construct of afternoon tea drinking is . So what ’s a sipper to do if they do n’t make the most of those leaves ASAP ? Can tea expire ?
Read on to discover how to store afternoon tea to maximize its flavourful liveliness . We ’re also diving into some frequently asked questions about tea , including how long tea lasts and whether tea cash in one’s chips . All of the above are grand query , so we tapped afternoon tea pros and dive into the science to help you sip wisely .
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How Long Does Tea Last?
Just asfood expiration datesare almost always more of a suggestion than a hard - and - fast solid food rubber rule , drink in date label like " Best Before " and " Best Used By " relate to optimum quality in terminal figure of flavor and texture , explainsNadia De La Vega , the director of Camellia sinensis sustainability and content at DAVIDsTEA .
“ Only foods that have stern compositional and nutritional specifications , such as baby rule , require expiration date , ” De La Vega says .
So if you ’re wondering whether tea expires , the answer is : technically , no .
“ Tea does n’t really kick the bucket ; it just lose crust over time . Though some tea leaf types like sheng or some shou pu’erh afternoon tea evolve over time — like wine that ’s mean to be age — and can be stored for old age , most teas mislay freshness with age , ” De La Vega explains .
How long does afternoon tea last , then ? To ensure you ’re always get the best cup of tea potential , De La Vega recommends you aim to shine off your leaves consequently :
Just like with dried herbs and spiciness , it can be cunning to know how much sentence tea leaves have already pass on store shelf before you purchase them . With that in mind , the sooner the good if you want to experience a strong cup with fresh feel .
In addition to tasting weaker and more stale , a cup of teatime made with honest-to-goodness tea leave will belike deliver few polyphenols ( the molecules in tea , coffee , cocoa , Charles Edward Berry , vegetable , spicery , and more that are join to multiple wellness benefits because of their antioxidant effect ) , per a March 2020 study in theJournal of Food Composition and Analysis .
How to Help Tea Last Longer
The full way to make tea last longer is to master how to lay in teatime right before you buy your next tidy sum .
Since tea is susceptible to speedy degradation from air , high temperature , Christ Within , and moisture , “ keep easy folio tea and Camellia sinensis bag in a well - sealed container . Store them in a cool , dry and glowering billet , off from strong aromas like spices , garlic , onions , and other extremely perfumed items like scented candles , ” De La Vega says .
unintelligible tea tins play great . If you ’re using a mason jar or other clear container , be indisputable to hive away your tea in a dark pantry , draftsman , or locker rather than on a replication that receives verbatim sunshine .
What to Do with Older Teas
Most of the time , it can be dispute to tell if your afternoon tea is past its bloom . Fresh teashould be redolent , bright , flavourful , and taste interchangeable to the first loving cup you brew after purchasing the leaves . It should also appear about the same hue . ( Tea leaves can turn dark or change color if expose to heat or sparkle . )
If the tea leave of absence have get wet , they may commence to grow mold . If this is the case , discard the Camellia sinensis immediately .
Otherwise , older tea leaf will simply be less flavourful , so if you acknowledge any decrease in smack timber or overall experience , restock your tea and try this “ recycling ” trick .
“ I love adding used tea leave-taking to my compost or to house works dirt . They bestow nitrogen to the mix , equilibrise any carbon paper - rich fabric that might already be there . They also add to the dirt structure and ameliorate drainage , ” De La Vega says . If you ’re more of a crafter than a gardener , you could use tea as a naturalEaster testis dyestuff , watercolor basis , or cloth dyestuff .
