Can expired tea bags be used?

Are those expired tea bags buried in your pantry still good? The answer may surprise you!

Although tea bags have an expiration date, just because that date has passed doesn't mean they're bad. Before you throw them away, find out if your old tea bags are still safe to drink and how to store different types of tea to keep them fresher longer .

Is it safe to use expired tea bags?

The answer is yes. Tea is still safe to drink after the date listed on the packaging. Tea actually has a 'best by' date, not an expiration date. Manufacturers put 'best by' dates on beverages like tea to estimate when they will start to lose flavor and freshness, while the expiration date tells you when the product is no longer safe to consume.

Tea bags can still be safe to drink after their 'best by' date. Some teas can retain their flavor for months after their 'best by' date has passed. So don't be upset when you take those old tea bags out of the cupboard and find they're 2, 5, or even 10 years old. You can still make a great cup of tea from them.

Some tea bags may go bad before their 'best before' date. That date means nothing if the tea has been stored improperly and has absorbed too much moisture. So always check your tea bags carefully before brewing to make sure they haven't gone bad.

The term 'spoiled' can be subjective when it comes to old tea bags. Any tea bag that has mold or discoloration or smells bad should be thrown in the trash. But if it just loses its smell or flavor, you can still drink it safely.

Signs of a damaged tea bag

Mold in tea bags or tea leaves

Mold growth is always a bad sign, whether in tea or any other food or beverage. If you see any green, white, or black spots on your tea bag or tea leaves, throw it away immediately! Drinking moldy tea exposes you to toxins that can make you dangerously ill.

Even fresh tea bags bought at the store can get moldy. The presence or absence of mold often depends on factors beyond your control, such as where the tea was grown and how the manufacturer processed and stored the tea leaves.

No musty or rancid odor or taste

Most teas lose their flavor when stored beyond their best-before date. If your tea bag has no smell, it means your brewed tea will also have no taste. However, if you don't mind the lack of flavor, you can still drink it. Meanwhile, a musty or rancid smell means the tea bag is damp and has gone bad.

Change color

With some teas, you can tell if it's ready to brew by the color of the leaves in the bag. The color change is most noticeable in green tea, as fresh green tea leaves should be pale green, not brown or yellow.

Old, bitter taste

If the look and smell of the old tea bag doesn't give you any clues, try brewing a cup of tea. Take a sip, and if it tastes stale or bitter, it's best to stop using it.

Tips to keep tea fresh for a long time

Store your tea bags in an airtight container . This will minimize their exposure to oxygen, sunlight, and moisture, all of which can cause your tea to spoil faster. It will also help your tea stay flavorful and drinkable for as long as possible!

Choose tin, glass, ceramic, or metal containers with tight-fitting lids . Avoid plastic containers, as these absorb odors and can alter the flavor of your tea. Purchase separate containers for each type of tea to keep their flavors and aromas distinct.

Avoid exposing your tea bags to sunlight. Light and heat from the sun will cause tea to deteriorate and lose color, aroma, and flavor more quickly. Using an opaque container can completely block light from penetrating your tea bags.

Keep tea bags separate from other items with strong odors. Tea leaves absorb flavors from anything they are stored with that has a strong odor. For example, don't store black tea next to herbal teas or coffee containers.

Avoid storing your tea bags near heat or boiling water. Heat accelerates oxidation in the tea leaves, which changes their flavor. The only temperature you want to apply to your tea bags is boiling water! Store your tea bags in a cool, dry pantry or cupboard. An airtight environment will increase the freshness of your tea and provide an extra layer of protection against harmful outside elements.

How to use expired tea bags

Sprinkle tea bags around smelly areas like trash cans, refrigerators, and shoes. The tea will absorb and help reduce unpleasant odors.

Using wet tea bags to clean glasses and mirrors will effectively remove dirt, fingerprints and other types of contaminants.

Pour the tea brewed from the expired tea bag onto plants that prefer acidic soil, such as hydrangeas, evergreens, etc. Then, add the tea bag to compost to enrich the soil.

Apply wet, expired tea bags to red, inflamed areas of your body, such as bug bites, pimples, or puffy eyes. The tea's natural antioxidants will help reduce inflammation. Once the tea bags are dry, remove them from your skin.

Marvin Fry

Update 09 December 2024