MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,506 
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Post by MorningPerson on Feb 23, 2023 17:27:02 GMT
Today I'm clearing out my pantry. I've purchased SO MANY different teas over the past few years, and I just don't think to drink them. Consequently, I have lots of teas - loose teas, herbal teas, teabags....
Right now I feel like drinking tea, but now I'm not so sure they're safe to drink. I know that they probably lose some flavor, but I'm ok with that. I just want to know if they'll make me sick if I drink them. They've all been in the dark corner of my pantry, most of them sealed in airtight containers (especially the loose teas.)
Would you drink them? How long do you suppose they're safe to use?
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Post by bluebird71 on Feb 23, 2023 17:30:40 GMT
If I wanted tea right NOW I probably would. If its less than 2 years old, I would. But I don't have a sensitive stomach.
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Post by workingclassdog on Feb 23, 2023 17:31:32 GMT
Personally no I would toss because I know I'll never drink them if I have had them stored and not touched them.. I only drink one kind of tea. I usually am on top of it and give any tea products to my friend so they don't get old. But I don't think they go bad.. just loses flavor.. I guess.
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Post by lucyg on Feb 23, 2023 17:41:19 GMT
I have loose tea that dates back ten years or more. It was already dried before I bought it. I would drink it without a second thought.
I drink a lot of tea, and I know a lot about tea, and I’ve never heard of anyone anywhere ever getting sick from drinking old tea.
Now if you’re talking about flavored tea with bits of fruit or flowers, herbal teas, etc., who knows. Those aren’t real tea, at least not the herbals.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Feb 23, 2023 17:45:40 GMT
I have boxes of regular tea here dated 6/24.. I will drink it until it's gone..
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,443
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
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Post by milocat on Feb 23, 2023 17:48:11 GMT
I think tea is like spices, they might loose some of it's flavour over time but it's perfectly safe to consume. Personally no I would toss because I know I'll never drink them if I have had them stored and not touched them.. I only drink one kind of tea. I usually am on top of it and give any tea products to my friend so they don't get old. But I don't think they go bad.. just loses flavor.. I guess. I agree, if I hadn't used it yet, I never would. |
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,506
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Post by MorningPerson on Feb 23, 2023 17:48:16 GMT
I have loose tea that dates back ten years or more. It was already dried before I bought it. I would drink it without a second thought. I drink a lot of tea, and I know a lot about tea, and I’ve never heard of anyone anywhere ever getting sick from drinking old tea. Now if you’re talking about flavored tea with bits of fruit or flowers, herbal teas, etc., who knows. Those aren’t real tea, at least not the herbals. Hmmm. The one I am eyeing is Harney and Sons hot cinnamon sunset that I’m sure I bought because it was recommended here. I just looked at the bottom and it has a best by date of May 2019. Toss? |
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joelise
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,649
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Post by joelise on Feb 23, 2023 17:50:15 GMT
I’d drink tea that was years old. If it didn’t taste good I wouldn’t drink it, but If it tasted OK I would be happy to drink it.
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Post by lucyg on Feb 23, 2023 17:52:36 GMT
I have loose tea that dates back ten years or more. It was already dried before I bought it. I would drink it without a second thought. I drink a lot of tea, and I know a lot about tea, and I’ve never heard of anyone anywhere ever getting sick from drinking old tea. Now if you’re talking about flavored tea with bits of fruit or flowers, herbal teas, etc., who knows. Those aren’t real tea, at least not the herbals. Hmmm. The one I am eyeing is Harney and Sons hot cinnamon sunset that I’m sure I bought because it was recommended here. I just looked at the bottom and it has a best by date of May 2019. Toss? heck no! That’s brand new by my standards!  |
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Post by Merge on Feb 23, 2023 18:19:49 GMT
It's fine. It's like spices. They may lose flavor, but unless you see mold or smell something weird, they're fine.
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pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,936
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Post by pilcas on Feb 23, 2023 18:27:22 GMT
Wouldn’t bother me! Anyway, it’s going in boiling water!
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Post by gar on Feb 23, 2023 18:29:57 GMT
You're pouring boiling water on it so I'm sure it'll be fine, if tasteless.
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Post by lainey on Feb 23, 2023 18:33:01 GMT
Tea doesn't expire so it'll be fine as long as it's been stored properly.
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Post by Basket1lady on Feb 23, 2023 18:36:12 GMT
Drying the tea leaves is the method of preserving them. Unless they smell moldy or off, they are perfectly safe to consume.
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Post by busy on Feb 23, 2023 18:40:09 GMT
I think tea is like spices, they might loose some of it's flavour over time but it's perfectly safe to consume. This is my thinking. We drink a lot of tea, so it would never happen in our house to have really old tea sitting around, but I don't think there's any risk of illness with old, dry tea. Just perhaps a lack of flavor - I'd have a cup and if it didn't taste good, I'd toss the rest. |
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Post by grammadee on Feb 23, 2023 18:49:02 GMT
Tea has been dried, and keeps forever that way. To grow, germs need to have some moisture. You are putting it into boiling water which would kill any microbes that might have fallen on the tea leaves. The taste may deteriorate, but I don't see tea leaves as EVER going bad to the point that they are dangerous.
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Post by littlemama on Feb 23, 2023 18:50:39 GMT
I have loose tea that dates back ten years or more. It was already dried before I bought it. I would drink it without a second thought. I drink a lot of tea, and I know a lot about tea, and I’ve never heard of anyone anywhere ever getting sick from drinking old tea. Now if you’re talking about flavored tea with bits of fruit or flowers, herbal teas, etc., who knows. Those aren’t real tea, at least not the herbals. Tea expires? 😂😂😂 Even I would drink real tea after that long. |
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Post by littlemama on Feb 23, 2023 18:51:20 GMT
Hmmm. The one I am eyeing is Harney and Sons hot cinnamon sunset that I’m sure I bought because it was recommended here. I just looked at the bottom and it has a best by date of May 2019. Toss? heck no! That’s brand new by my standards! I'd drink that one, too! 😂😂 |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Feb 23, 2023 18:53:59 GMT
Wouldn’t even hesitate to drink - I’m in the you’re just losing some flavor camp it’s not going to hurt you
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Feb 23, 2023 19:01:53 GMT
I live life on the edge. I'd drink it...if it was flavorless I'd toss it.
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
Posts: 5,405
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Post by RosieKat on Feb 23, 2023 19:58:51 GMT
Yes, the one you mention wouldn't phase me in the slightest to drink. If there was dried fruit in it, I'd be checking for mold, but since there's not, you're fine.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,748
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Feb 23, 2023 20:31:02 GMT
Teas are dried, and personally I store them in sealed containers once they're opened. I'd drink ancient tea without a second thought for safety. The only thing that would bother me after a few years would be whether they still kept their flavour.
I was alive before Best Before and Eat By dates. My thought processes with any food will always be:
1) Does it look OK?
2) Does it smell OK?
3) Does it taste OK?
If you can say Yes to all 3, it's probably OK.
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pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,936
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Post by pilcas on Feb 23, 2023 21:25:41 GMT
Teas are dried, and personally I store them in sealed containers once they're opened. I'd drink ancient tea without a second thought for safety. The only thing that would bother me after a few years would be whether they still kept their flavour. I was alive before Best Before and Eat By dates. My thought processes with any food will always be: 1) Does it look OK? 2) Does it smell OK? 3) Does it taste OK? If you can say Yes to all 3, it's probably OK. Me too! Who knows how long the canned food we bought may have been lying around in some warehouse and we ate it with no qualms and we survived! |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Feb 24, 2023 0:19:05 GMT
I honestly don't think it would even occur to me to question expiration on loose tea or tea bags. I go through my favs pretty fast but I'm sure I could find some outliers in my cabinet that have been around for quite a few years.
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Post by malibou on Feb 24, 2023 2:35:40 GMT
I did drink the same tea you are questioning this morning. It was 2 years past date, and delicious!
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,466
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Feb 24, 2023 4:45:29 GMT
I have loose tea that dates back ten years or more. It was already dried before I bought it. I would drink it without a second thought. I drink a lot of tea, and I know a lot about tea, and I’ve never heard of anyone anywhere ever getting sick from drinking old tea. Now if you’re talking about flavored tea with bits of fruit or flowers, herbal teas, etc., who knows. Those aren’t real tea, at least not the herbals. Hmmm. The one I am eyeing is Harney and Sons hot cinnamon sunset that I’m sure I bought because it was recommended here. I just looked at the bottom and it has a best by date of May 2019. Toss? I’d drink it based on the date. I bought this tea and do NOT like it. To me it’s like drinking dentyne flavored spit. Ew. dh does like it and drinks it. I will not purchase again. |
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,854
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Post by peppermintpatty on Feb 24, 2023 12:54:35 GMT
Tea doesn't go bad
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,506
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Post by MorningPerson on Feb 25, 2023 17:00:40 GMT
Thanks to the replies from all of you, I feel better about drinking my tea. I’m happy to report I’ve tried two different kinds and I’m feeling fine. ☺️ The taste is still good too. Maybe a little less strong, but I’m good with it!
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Post by cmpeter on Feb 25, 2023 18:01:23 GMT
I'm over cautious with expiration dates, but I would totally drink the tea and not worry about the expiration date.
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