Lipton Tea company sells a wide range of teas, both loose-leaf and ready-to-drink, in addition to the standard black leaves’ tea (under the long-standing Lipton Yellow Label trademark). Various estates worldwide, including those in well-known tea-producing countries like India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka, contribute to the blend of Lipton teas you get at your local grocery store. About 20 different teas go into making Lipton Yellow Label.
Teabags in the back of your cupboard or an expired bottled tea you’re drinking may make you question if it’s safe. There is no “best before” date on Lipton Green Tea bags; however, there is a “best if used by” date on the packaging. It is recommended that you drink Lipton Green Tea before the “best if used by” date, not for safety reasons.
Can You Still Use Expired Tea Bags?
According to Tufts University, the phytochemical composition of dried tea leaves can be preserved for up to two years. So if you drink tea after this date, you won’t lose any health benefits from green tea, but you will be skipping out on some of the antioxidants.
Lipton’s official website has published a FAQs page discussing the manufacturer’s specialized manufacturing code composed of one-letter and three-number combinations.
- Consider the number and letter combination on the box to decipher the manufacturing codes present on all other tea bags and powdered mixes. The year is represented by the first number, the month by the second letter, and the day of the month by the third number.
- Utilize the information in this guide for the following months: A for January, B for February, C for March, D for April, E for May, F for June, G for July, H for August, X for September, J for October, K for November, and L for December.
- Some tea bags and powdered tea mixes come with a date code on the package that can be read. This date, which includes the month, day, and year—ensures the highest quality and freshness for the products.
- The arrangement of the letter-number combination is as follows: The first digit for the year, the Assigned letter for the month, and the last two digits for the date. With this considered, the symbol 1X12 can be read as September 10, 2021. Likewise, 0L25 can be read as December 25, 2020.
How Long Can You Keep Tea Bags After Expiration Date?
Can Lipton Tea bags expire? The answer depends on the context. In other words, whether Lipton tea expires is determined by how you define the concept of expiration. Lipton tea does not expire unless stored in extremely severe conditions, therefore implying the time when tea consumption may have adverse health effects. However, the flavor and potency of Lipton tea will deteriorate over time.
Lipton company suggests that tea can be enjoyed for up to 18 months after purchase. Customers are also advised that most of Lipton’s teas can be enjoyed for up to 18 months after purchase and that bottled teas include an expiration date on the lid for ease of use.
Moreover, your Lipton green tea potency or quality may be compromised if you consume it over the expiration date. Still, when consumed in moderation, green tea’s phytochemicals can help improve heart health and reduce the risk of certain cancers.
The proper way of storing Lipton tea
Storage conditions have a significant influence in determining tea’s shelf life. Store your Lipton tea carefully to keep it fresh and flavorful for as long as possible.
- Opened Lipton tea should be stored in an airtight jar and kept in a cold, dry, and dark area of your kitchen or pantry. Unopened packages of Lipton tea should be stored away from direct sunlight and heat in a cool, dry, and dark location. The unopened box of Lipton tea can be kept dry and safe in a pantry or kitchen cupboard.
- Lipton tea shouldn’t ever be stored in a damp atmosphere. Humidity is the enemy of tea’s delicate flavors and can even damage your tea if it is stored in a humid environment for extended periods.
- Lipton tea’s quality can decline with temperature fluctuations. The actual manufacturer recommends keeping it at room temperature when storing it. Tea should be stored at room temperature, so keep an eye out for heaters and air conditioners.
- Lipton tea should never be kept in the refrigerator. Likewise, you should never put dry Lipton tea in the fridge, whether it’s green tea or black tea. This rule applies to all types of Lipton tea. Due to the high moisture content of the refrigerator, your Lipton tea will go wrong if it meets it.
- Never scoop Lipton tea with a wet spoon. Additionally, keep strong-smelling things like garlic and onion away from where you store your Lipton tea. Another reason to hold your loose Lipton tea in an airtight container is that tea can acquire unpleasant odors.
Can I Drink Expired Lipton Tea?
Iced tea can be enjoyed long after the expiration date has passed. It appears that storing it properly is the key to extending its life. If your iced tea is still good, then the expiration date might matter to customers who intend to get the greatest out of their money’s worth. This is the estimated end date for the product’s useful life. The producer believes that once that time has elapsed, the product’s quality will have deteriorated.
If the iced tea has gone wrong, it’s not a good idea to consume it; it’s best to throw it out. This can happen even earlier than the expiration date on rare occasions. If you see any of the following, it’s possible your iced tea has gone wrong and will make you sick:
- The iced tea has a peculiar appearance. Tea that’s good for you usually has a reddish-brown hue to it, and it appears lively. Still, if the iced tea has gone wrong, it will have a duller appearance and be a little darker than usual.
- The iced tea has a strange odor. This wine-like smell often occurs in iced tea after it has been left out for too long. This happens because of fermentation occurring in the tea and all the other components.
- The iced tea has a noticeable shift in flavor. There’s a good chance it isn’t gone good if it doesn’t taste like iced tea anymore, and you shouldn’t drink it. Iced tea that has gone bad usually tastes fermented or bitter to those unfortunate enough to experience it.
