Reader inquiry: I bought some green tea, forgot about it for a long time, and now it’s past the expiration date. Can I still drink expired green tea? How long does green tea last?
Can You Drink Expired Green Tea?
Liao Chang-Hsing replies: Is green tea that has passed its expiration date actually spoiled? Not necessarily. Tea leaves with a 3% moisture content stored in vacuum-sealed packaging can actually last for several years without going bad. Even though it won’t spoil, green tea is prone to losing its flavor and freshness, so it is recommended to finish drinking green tea within six months.
Vacuum-packaged tea typically has an “expiration date” printed on the package. According to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, tea manufacturers usually list a shelf life of 2 years. In reality, vacuum-sealed tea with a moisture content under 3%, if stored properly, won’t go bad even after ten years. In fact, some teas actually become smoother and more mellow over time—a phenomenon known as getting better with age. Some people specifically buy fresh tea to age for a decade for an even better taste, such as Pu-erh tea and aged Taiwanese teas.
Unfortunately, teas that improve with age are either fully fermented or semi-fermented. Green tea is a non-fermented tea; not only does it not improve with age, but if left for too long, it loses its liveliness and freshness. Therefore, while the shelf life of green tea is generally listed as 2 years, it is still not recommended to keep it for too long—it’s best to consume it within six months. If it has passed the expiration date, you can open it up and inspect it for mold, changes in shape, or a sour, rancid smell. If any of these signs are present, it has gone bad.