Does Herbal Tea Expire? How Long Herbal Tea Really Lasts For

Everything, including your favorite herbal teas, appears to have an expiration date when purchased at your local grocery. But does herbal tea have an expiration date?

I decided to investigate, and the following is what I discovered:

Herbal tea, in general, does not expire, and it just loses flavor as it approaches its expiration date. What it’s made of and how it’s stored determine how long it lasts after the “best by” date. Mold and mildew can grow in the presence of moisture.

While you can drink herbal tea well past its “best by” date, the flavor will deteriorate with time. But that’s only the start of the solution. So let’s delve a little further. After all, bugs can get into your pantry at any time. On the other hand, Herbal tea is more prone to mold than black or green tea because it isn’t actually tea.

Let’s get started!

Is it okay if I drink herbal tea that has gone bad?

You may still consume expired herbal tea in most cases, and it’s possible that it won’t taste great. The “best by” date on tea boxes, in fact, relates to the tea’s flavor rather than its expiration date. This means that drinking tea after its expiration date, also known as the “sell by” date, isn’t always bad.

It would be best if you weren’t overly concerned about becoming sick from drinking expired tea unless mold or a bug has made its way into the teabag.

How long can herbal tea be stored?

Herbal tea bags can be enjoyed at their best for up to 18 months after they were made. Keep them in a well-sealed container in a calm, dark, and moisture-free environment.

However, it is entirely dependent on how your tea is stored.

Following these general recommendations will help you preserve your tea correctly

• Tea should be kept out of direct sunlight.
• Keep your tea in an airtight jar or tin.
• Stay away from the humidity.
• With a firmly sealed container, you may reduce airflow.
• To ensure the most incredible flavor, keep tea flavors separate.
• Keep a safe distance from heat sources and excessive heat.
• Excessive moisture, air, and light exposure can occur if these storage requirements are not followed. This can result in flavor loss, mold growth, and a foul odor.

When it comes to flavor loss, herbal tea is a little more volatile than other types of tea. It is more susceptible to mold and overall degradation because it is not actually tea, but rather dried flowers, herbs, and fruits.

When it comes to herbal tea, how can you know whether it’s past its sell-by date?

There are a few indicators that your tea is past its prime:

• Your tea emits an unusual odor.
• This odor can be described as sour, musty, or anything else that isn’t quite right.
• If your tea smells off, you should be able to tell rather quickly.
• Your teabag has mold in it or on it, and this should be self-evident.
• It’s possible that you’ll see it initially on the box or bag.
• Even if there is only a tiny amount of mold on a few tea leaves, it is best to discard them altogether to avoid becoming ill.
• Your tea has lost the majority of its flavor and aroma.
• While the tea may not be unpleasant in and of itself, you don’t want to drink a warm cup of water when you’re expecting tea.
• Your tea box is almost three years old and has already been opened.
• Even if the tea appears to be in perfect condition – with no odor, mold, or terrible taste – it’s better to discard any herbal tea that is older than three years, so as to be safe.

How long can you keep herbal tea in the fridge once it’s been brewed?

As a general rule, you can drink your refrigerated herbal tea up to five days after it’s been brewed. However, the best flavor will be achieved within 8 hours of brewing. If your tea is about to expire, you may be looking for a way to use up a lot of it quickly so that it doesn’t go to waste. The best way to do this is to make a large batch and keep it in the fridge. You may drink it iced or reheat it for a hot cup of tea this way.

So, how long do you think you can keep that tea in the fridge before it goes bad?

This is a difficult question to answer. It all relies on how it’s made or the brewing procedure and whether or not anything was added to the final result.

If you’re particularly strict about your iced tea’s making and drinking, it’s best to keep your tea in the fridge for no more than eight hours. We all know, however, that we sip our homemade iced tea for far longer. On day three, the flavor may not be as lovely as it was the first few hours after brewing. However, there should be nothing wrong with the tea itself. It’s preferable to cold brew your tea to get the most outstanding flavor. When brewed with hot water or sun tea, the flavor does not last as long.

It’s also possible that adding fresh fruit or sugar to your brewed tea will cause it to ferment. After some time in the fridge, this can cause it to taste off or possibly go rotten. Follow some of the same principles for keeping your refrigerated tea fresh as you would for keeping your dried tea fresh. Refrigerate it in an airtight container or jar. Also, avoid using sugar during the brewing process; instead, sweeten your tea by the glass rather than the pitcher.

Is it possible to become sick from expired herbal tea?

No. Unless there are symptoms of mold or mildew, herbal tea that has passed its “best by” date should not make you sick. It won’t have the same flavor, but you should be able to drink it. However, as previously stated, you must carefully inspect your tea before deciding to boil and drink it.

If your tea has been stored in a wet or humid location, check it carefully for mold growth. Both bagged, and loose leaf teas might fall within this category. Mold can begin to form on the tea box or bag before it gets into the tea.

Do not drink your tea if you see mold growing on it. It has the potential to make you quite sick. You should also check to see if any bugs have gotten into your tea. It’s possible that ingesting a creepy crawler won’t make you sick. It will, however, not be the tastiest.

If you decide to sample your tea after it has passed its expiration date, brew it for at least five minutes in water at least 175 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe.

This can aid in the eradication of any potentially harmful microorganisms. Mothers of babies who are breastfeeding should also be cautious when consuming herbal teas because their babies may be at risk.

Have I answered all of your questions about whether herbal tea expires?

There are several aspects to consider when it comes to herbal tea and its expiration date.

We discussed the best ways to store dry tea, including keeping them in an airtight container away from heat and light. We also discussed how to determine if your tea has genuinely expired and should not be drunk. Herbal tea has no actual expiration date and can be consumed after it has passed its “sell by” date. It’s possible that you’ll lose some flavor. However, suppose it is left in a humid atmosphere for too long. In that case, it may become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.

We hope we’ve answered all of your queries about herbal tea and how long it lasts.