Fresh vs. Old Tea? What’s the difference?

Tea does not go bad in the same way that food does. Tea leaves are naturally antimicrobial and contain antioxidants that help to preserve them. However, if tea leaves are exposed to air, light, or heat, they will lose their flavor and aroma over time.

To store tea leaves properly, keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Loose leaf tea should be stored in a tea tin or canister, while tea bags should be stored in a zip-top bag. Tea also does not go bad in the sense that it will make you sick if you drink it after it has expired. However, the flavor and aroma will not be as good as when the tea is fresh.

So, the question then is how long is tea fresh?

The peak freshness of different types of tea depends on their processing methods.

  • White tea: White tea is the least processed type of tea, and its peak freshness is typically within 6 months of harvest. After that, the delicate flavors and aromas of white tea start to fade.

  • Green tea: Green tea is also minimally processed, and its peak freshness is typically within 12 months of harvest. After that, the grassy and vegetal flavors of green tea start to diminish.

  • Black tea: Black tea is fully oxidized, which gives it a stronger flavor and aroma. Its peak freshness is typically within 18 months of harvest. After that, the complex flavors and aromas of black tea start to mellow.

  • Oolong tea: Oolong tea is partially oxidized, giving it a range of flavors and aromas. Its peak freshness depends on the degree of oxidation. For lighter oolong teas, the peak freshness is typically within 18 months of harvest. For darker oolong teas, the peak freshness is typically within 3 years of harvest.

Always check the date on the tea package to see when it was processed before you purchase the tea to ensure there is plenty of time for you to consume the product before it loses it’s freshness. If there is no date listed on the package then you should proceed with extreme caution as it’s very common in low quality teas to use stale leaves that are often 1-3 years old.

At the Redwood Tea Estate, we list our “Fresh by” date directly on the package so you can have confidence that you’re receiving only the freshest tea with peak aroma and flavor.

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Our favorite tools for brewing loose-leaf Tea

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Harnessing the Power of Agro-Forestry: The Benefits of Growing Tea in California