How long does tea last?
In the pantry, tea keeps for 18 to 36 months from the package date. Once opened, use it within 6 to 12 months. All 3 kinds are below.
18 to 36 months
from the package date
No guideline
6 to 12 months
in the fridge unless noted
By kind
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bags | 18 to 36 months | no guideline | 6 to 12 months | no guideline |
| instant | 2 to 3 years | no guideline | 6 to 12 months | no guideline |
| loose | 2 years | no guideline | 6 to 12 months | no guideline |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
Does tea go bad?
Tea is shelf stable, so the pantry time is about quality rather than safety: past it, flavour and texture fade before anything becomes unsafe. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell tea has gone bad
General signs for beverages, the group USDA lists tea under.
- Fizzy drinks that have gone flat or taste metallic
- Sour or curdled smell from opened juice or milk alternatives
- Cloudiness or separation that will not shake back together
- Cork pushed slightly out or wine that smells like vinegar
- Mould ring forming at the neck of a bottle or carton
More on beverages. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other beverages last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.