Expiration Dates
In the 1970s, "best by" and "expires" dates became common on food packaging due to consumer demand, but these dates are often just estimates set by manufacturers. Surprisingly, the USDA doesn't require these labels (except for infant formula), meaning they're more about quality than safety. As a result, many foods are still safe to eat after the printed dates, leading to unnecessary food waste when people discard perfectly good products.
What about Tea?
So then, does tea go bad? As long as the tea is kept in a dry, cool place away from sunlight (keep it out of clear jars) – tea won't go bad.
Full Leaf Tea Co. and other tea companies print a two-year "best by" date. Not only because this label is industry standard but also because tea will lose flavor after this period (but won't upset your stomach).
Which Tea Lasts the Longest?
You might be surprised to learn that some variety of teas maintain their freshness better than others!
White Tea:
-Oxidation Level: Minimal to none
-Expiration Date: 1-2 years
-Details: White tea is the least processed, with minimal oxidation, which gives it a delicate flavor. It should be stored in a cool, dark place and is best consumed within a year or two for optimal freshness.
-Oxidation Level: Low
-Expiration Date: 6 months - 1 year
-Details: Green tea undergoes slight oxidation, preserving its green color and fresh taste. It has a shorter shelf life compared to white tea, so it's best enjoyed within a year.
-Oxidation Level: Moderate (15%-80%)
-Expiration Date: 1-2 years
-Details: Oolong tea has varying oxidation levels, giving it a range of flavors from light and floral to dark and rich. Its shelf life is about 1 to 2 years, depending on the level of oxidation and storage conditions.
Even though black, green, white, oolong, and pu-erh teas all come from the same Camellia Sinensis plant, their true "best by" date depends on how oxidized they are. White and green teas aren't very oxidized, giving them a light vegetal flavor. We'd recommend enjoying these teas within twelve months. Black and oolong teas are more oxidized and can maintain their flavors for up to three years.
Then there's pu-erh, which is fermented tea. Pu-erh, like wine, actually tastes better with age! In fact, a pu-erh tea cake aged over one century was sold for $600,000! Luckily, we sell our pu-erh for much less than that!
-Oxidation Level: Fully oxidized
-Expiration Date: 2-3 years
-Details: Black tea is fully oxidized, giving it a robust flavor and longer shelf life. It can retain its quality for up to 3 years if stored properly.
-Oxidation Level: Post-fermented (oxidation continues over time)
-Expiration Date: Can improve with age (no set expiration)
-Details: Pu-erh tea undergoes a unique post-fermentation process that allows it to age like fine wine. It can actually improve with age and has no strict expiration date, though it should be stored in a cool, dry place.
So there you have it! Keep your tea in a cool, dry, dark environment (like our re-sealable bags), and your tea will stay fresh for quite a while!
