Can I drink black tea that’s 13 years past its best by date?

Question

I have black tea bags, they’ve been stored in a sealed container, but the best by date is 2010 (13 years ago) can I still drink it safely? It’s decaffeinated blackberry sage tea. What signs should I look for that would tell me it’s unsafe?

score 37 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 05 '23 at 05:24

37

If the tea still smells fine and looks fine – dry, no visible change in colour or growth of any anything on the tea – then it should be safe to consume. After such a long time the flavour is likely to be worse than it was new, of course.

answered Jun 05 '23 at 05:24

dbmag9

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score 5 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 05 '23 at 23:05

5

It won't taste good. It won't be safe if there is dry mold (usually white) in it or the tea is all clumped together in a block.

answered Jun 05 '23 at 23:05

Mike

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pneud · Answer 3 · 2023-08-10T07:25:50.053

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How about 30 years? https://taiwanleaftea.com/rare-tea/30-years-aged-oolong-lao-cha As others have said, make sure it was dry the whole time.

edited Aug 10 '23 at 07:25

answered Jun 07 '23 at 00:55

pneud

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score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 12 '23 at 04:41

I am not an expert but I love all kinds of teas. I wouldn't care about dried tea. But if the blackberry taste is a chemical substance, then I would pay attention to expiration dates... I would check the ingredients to find any chemical additives.In this case, if it is all natural I would think it is safe.

Can I drink black tea that’s 13 years past its best by date?

4 Answers4