Tea is an invigorating drink popular all over the world. It has a pleasant color and aroma, which allows you to cheer up. But the question of whether tea has an expiration date is quite popular. The product also has a storage time during which it can be used.
Is he there?
All products, including tea, have an expiration date. On the packaging of goods from different manufacturers, this information can be indicated in different ways. On some, it can be written "Tea shelf life", and on others - "Shelf life", "Shelf life until."
The first means that after the indicated date you can’t drink such a drink, since it can be harmful to health. The second concept assumes that for a specified time the product retains its properties, but subject to storage rules. The third concept is considered universal. If you take tea into account, these terms mean that it retains its properties until the indicated date.
The properties
The ability of a drink to give a person vitality and a good mood depends on how correctly it was assembled. Also affected by packaging, storage and brewing. The tea variety is considered an equally important factor, so each type of shelf life can be different.
The assortment of shops has many different types of tea:
- the black;
- green;
- red;
- white;
- blue.
Slices of fruit or flavor are often added to sachets. The basis of tea can serve as tea tree leaves, as well as healing herbs. Its color is determined by the processing option, the degree of oxidation.
White, yellow, green
Tea leaves are slightly fried or steamed with steam. Because of this, a wonderful taste and aroma appears. This cooking option allows you to save useful properties.
The shelf life of green tea, as well as white and yellow, is not more than a year. When buying goods, you need to pay attention to the place of collection and production. If these territories are the same, then you can safely purchase such goods. And the shelf life will indeed be as indicated on the package.
Red, blue, black
Tea of these types is very tasty and healthy. It is harvested with almost no heat treatment. The leaves are dried in the sun or in the shade, and also aired.
Due to the oxidation of the leaves, the shelf life of the tea is 2 years. Only this applies to those cases if they have grown and packed it in one territory. Then the drink will be saturated during the entire storage period.
Brewed tea
If you touch the finished drink, then it must be consumed within 30 minutes. And in the refrigerator it is left no more than a day. Brewed leaves form negative components, which is why long-term storage is contraindicated.
Green tea can be used for brewing about 3 times. Moreover, neither taste nor beneficial properties will be lost. Tea base can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 12 hours.
Sachets
In the manufacture of tea bags used not very high quality raw materials. Usually these are leftovers from the production of leaf tea. To improve taste and color, it is mixed with flavorings and pieces of fruit.
The strength and fast preparation of the drink are considered pluses. But if large leaves are visible through the bag, then the product is considered to be of better quality. The shelf life of tea of this type is no more than 6 months.
Can I drink a drink from expired tea leaves?
Expired tea does not have the same aroma and taste. There is also a change in the leaves, and over time they can become a mess. Expired tea leaves should not be used, since there is a possibility of poisoning. It is not necessary to risk health, it is better to buy new tea.
How to determine the quality of the goods?
When choosing tea, you need to look at the packaging. She must be holistic. It indicates all the information necessary for buyers. It is advisable to purchase a leafy drink. It can be packaged in bags or cans. The presence of a film indicates that extraneous odors do not enter the product.
You must make sure that the tea leaves are the same size and uniform color. The package should not contain tea dust, branches. After opening the package, a rich aroma is felt. There should be no odors. A quality product cannot have a low cost.
Storage rules
The shelf life of tea should not be more than 2 years, but it is better to use the product for a year. It is only important to observe the storage rules:
- tea should be placed in a sealed container;
- light should not get on it, it is necessary to exclude the effect of moisture;
- odors cannot preserve the aroma of the product.
With proper storage at home, there will always be a tasty and aromatic drink. It allows you to get energy, strength and a good mood. If the product does not match the quality, then you must definitely return it to the store and purchase a truly high-quality tea.