Read the actual package
Check the date type, ingredients and supplier instructions. Best-before concerns expected quality under stated conditions, not a safety test. Shelf life varies; follow any use-by or safety instructions.
Keep daily tea dry and away from odors
Reseal daily tea and follow its storage instructions. Avoid dampness, odors, heat and direct light. Refrigeration is not universal; mishandling can introduce condensation and smells.
Aging is not a rescue method
Some pu-erh and white tea are deliberately aged. Any old bag is not automatically better. Ask about production, storage and condition before paying more. Do not improvise humid storage.
When to discard rather than taste-test
Discard visibly moldy, water-damaged or unpleasant-smelling tea. Normal smell cannot certify safety. Rinsing or boiling cannot reliably rescue contaminated leaves; ask the supplier when unsure.
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