Can I still drink expired green tea?

Nowadays, more and more people like to drink tea. It feels like enjoying a good time to drink some tea in one’s own leisure time, which is a very comfortable thing. Among many tea lovers, there is a saying that the longer the tea is stored, the more fragrant it becomes. However, this statement also depends on how the tea is preserved. In fact, tea also has a shelf life. Drinking tea that has passed its shelf life is a completely different experience from drinking tea that has gone bad.

1. Obvious discoloration

For example, green tea itself has clear soup and green leaves. If the tea soup is dark or even reddish, the leaves will also become dark brown and cannot be drunk. Another example is the golden amber black tea. If it goes bad, the tea soup will be dull and grey, without any sense of transparency.

2. Odor and odor

Tea absorbs odors very easily. If it is placed together with things with odors, or if it is not sealed properly before being put in the refrigerator, it will easily transfer odors. Zhengshan Xiaozhong black tea has the aroma of pine smoke, Liubao tea has the aroma of betel nut, Fuzhuan tea has the aroma of mushroom flowers, etc. The special aroma is the quality characteristic of certain teas, not deterioration. If you smell a distinct smell of camphor balls or oil in the tea, it is best not to drink it.

3. Softening and mildew

The optimal moisture content of tea is about 5%. If the moisture content exceeds 10%, the tea will easily become damp and moldy. Normal tea leaves feel dry and crisp and break easily. If the tea leaves feel soft when you pinch them, feel wet, or smell musty, then the tea leaves have definitely gone bad and should no longer be consumed.