Tea is relatively forgiving, and rarely spoils as long as it's stored properly. Old tea may simply be less flavorful and fresh than new tea, and will brew up a weaker cup with a stale flavor. In this sense, tea doesn't actually have an “expiration date” after which it will be unsafe to drink.
As mentioned, tea bags do not expire. Neither does loose leaf tea. Dry tea leaves and bags are typically good for a whopping two years before quality starts rolling down a hill. All teas made from the camellia sinensis plant, whether green or black teas, will begin to lose their flavor over time [3].
When stored properly, tea can last for up to 1-2 years. After that, most teas start to lose its original flavor and nutritional benefits. The less fermented and more broken tea leaves are, the faster they expire.
However, dried tea leaves that are kept dry will not spoil, and as long as they are stored away from heat, water, light and air, the flavor and phytochemical content can be maintained for up to two years. The more fermented and intact the dried leaves are, the longer they will last.
In short, both tea leaves and tea bags retain good quality for about 6 to 12 months past the best-by date.
Tea is relatively forgiving, and rarely spoils as long as it's stored properly. Old tea may simply be less flavorful and fresh than new tea, and will brew up a weaker cup with a stale flavor. In this sense, tea doesn't actually have an “expiration date” after which it will be unsafe to drink.
Do Tea Bags Expire? Technically, tea bags do have a date that signifies when the tea will be at its peak taste before it starts to lose its flavor. In terms of expiring to the point of developing mold, no, tea bags do not expire if they are kept away from moisture.
The short answer is properly stored tea may lose flavor and complexity over time, but generally does not go bad to the point it will be harmful to drink.
Because tea is not bad for your little one! Don't be scared — the right tea selection is a great alternative to juice. With milk and water being the primary healthy drink options available to older babies and toddlers, tea provides flavorful drink variety while avoiding over-sweetened juices and juice drinks.
Tea bags can grow mold on either the tea bag or the tea itself. Mold is found in any environment that contains a high level of humidity. Mold can be prevented in tea bags by keeping them in an airtight container and keeping your tea in a low-humidity environment.
2. Tea leaves may be contaminated with coliform bacteria. If iced tea is brewed at inadequate temperatures or in an improperly cleaned urn, or if it is stored for too long, it may grow coliform bacteria, most frequently Klebsiella and Enterobacter, and less commonly E. coli.
TEA BAGS, COMMERCIALLY PACKAGED — UNOPENED OR OPENED
Properly stored, tea bags will generally stay at best quality for about 18 to 24 months. To maximize the shelf life of tea bags, and to better retain flavor and potency, store in airtight containers.
First of all, you'll need to store the tea bag in a moist medium. Once they get dried out, they become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. So your best bet is to store them in a small shot glass filled with water. That will keep them seeping while they are being stored.
According to experts, Green tea has a small amount of caffeine in it and if a child is allergic to caffeine or has some or the other reaction after consuming it, then it must be avoided.
In general, tea is considered a relatively safe food. Until 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had no reports of a tea-caused foodborne illness outbreak on file. But although outbreaks are pretty rare, iced tea can still make someone sick if it's handled incorrectly.
While herbal tea can be a healthy, hydrating, and symptom-easing drink for older children, you should never give tea to an infant.
due to concerns the teas may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Ingestion of botulism toxin from improperly processed liquid teas may lead to serious illness and death.
“Tea leaves contain tannic acid and nutrients that are natural fertilizers for a garden,” states Natural Ways. As the leaves and bag decompose they release the nutrients into the soil, creating an ideal growing area. They help retain water and many gardeners plant them next to the roots of their plants.
Tea experts expressed similar views saying tea bags make the brew darker which naturally stain the drinker's teeth. It also enhances the amount of caffeine in the cup which ultimately results in an increased caffeine in-take.
6) Make Sure the Water Temperature Is Right
Our top tip is that you should never pour boiling water over a tea bag or loose tea. The reason for this is because the boiling water will burn the tea, it scalds it and therefore, the tea doesn't release all of its maximum flavours.
In most cases, old tea will simply be less flavorful than it should be, and taste dull or stale. While old tea isn't usually dangerous to consume, it's definitely a less than ideal tea drinking experience. If your tea tastes like it's gone bad or if you spot visible mold or other signs of decomposition, steer clear.
Teens need plenty of water – the cheapest, healthiest and most thirst-quenching drink. They need more water on hot or humid days, or if they sweat a lot. Avoid soft drinks, fruit juices, flavoured milk or water, sports drinks, energy drinks, tea and coffee. Children under 18 shouldn't drink alcohol.
Susie advises that adolescents under 14 should avoid caffeine where possible, and teenagers between 14 and 17 years of age should limit their intake to 100mg or less a day. “That's equivalent to a small milky coffee (60mg), or a couple of cups of tea (30mg each), or some [dark] chocolate (26mg/40g) a day,” she says.