Does Matcha go Bad? Sooner Than You Think!

Does matcha go bad? 🤔

Unfortunately, all good things must eventually come to an end, and the same is true for matcha powder. In fact, not only can matcha go bad, it actually happens sooner than most people think.

In this article, we’re going to see can matcha powder go bad and how to know if matcha is expired.

We’ll also tackle the subject of expired matcha and can you drink expired matcha powder or not. 

Let’s get whisking!

 

Does matcha go bad or expire? 

So does matcha go bad? The answer is, absolutely. Not only can matcha go bad but it happens in a matter or months, not years. 

Later on in the article, we’re going to talk about why does matcha go bad and in how many weeks can matcha powder go bad.

When does matcha tea expire?

That depends on how it’s stored. Well-stored matcha can last up to 1 year, and poorly stored matcha can only last 2 weeks.

Does matcha expire if it’s in cold storage?

Assuming the storage is perfect, does matcha ever expire? While there is a lot you can do to extend the life of a matcha, it can’t last forever. Eventually that fine powder will deteriorate and the flavor you love will be gone. So can matcha powder expire even in cold storage? Yes.

While matcha powder is incredibly sensitive, the leaves used to make matcha can actually be stored and aged. This is how tea farmers can stockpile matcha before even grinding it. If you want to learn more about these special leaves, you can read our article 👉 What is Tencha.

 

Why does matcha go bad?

So we’ve covered whether or not does matcha go bad, but why does matcha powder go bad? There are a number of factors that can lead to expired matcha powder, and we’re going to cover all of them here.

Because matcha is ground into such a fine powder, it is incredibly sensitive to light, heat, humidity and other odors and all of these are potential reason for why does matcha green tea expire.

Light exposure

So does matcha powder go bad when exposed to light? Yes, through a process known as photodegradation. Eventually, the light will damage the matcha powder and make it dull and distasteful.

Heat exposure

Can matcha expire expire due to heat exposure? Matcha contains delicate compounds like catechins and chlorophyll, which are sensitive to heat. If matcha is exposed to heat for extended periods of time, it can be another reason that explains why does matcha go bad.

Humidity

Does matcha tea go bad when humidity is too high? It is generally advised to keep matcha in a dry environment if possible, but why is that?

There are many reasons to explain why does matcha powder go bad when exposed to humidity. It can lead to clumping in the powder and promote the growth of microorganisms. Humid air can also “brew” the matcha so there is less flavor in it when you mix it into water.

Oxygen

So not only does matcha tea expire, it can expire even if it is exposed to oxygen. When the fine particles of matcha are exposed to the humidity in the air, they oxidize in a similar way to a black tea and eventually the powder will become brown and distasteful.

Odors

Does matcha powder go bad when exposed to other odors? Because matcha is ground into such a fine powder, it can easily absorb other odors. This means if the package is opened, you should keep it away from the fridge, spice cabinet and pantry.

But does matcha tea expire faster when exposed to these odors? Technically matcha won’t expire faster, but it will deteriorate the flavor and another answer to the question why does matcha go bad.

 

Unopened vs. opened: shelf life & date labels

So does matcha expire if unopened? Eventually yes, but you can really prolong the life of your matcha by leaving it unopened. In addition to storing all your matcha in a cool dry place, don’t open too many matchas at once.

Don’t buy matcha in bulk

Unless you’re a serious matchaholic, don’t buy matcha in larger containers. Typically, matcha is sold in 20 gram to 40 gram tins, which is what a typical matcha drinker will go through in about a month. 

After a month, you will notice a drop in the quality of a matcha, so try to keep the quantities small to avoid expired matcha powder.

Don’t open all your matcha at once!

How long will multiple tins of matcha powder expire? The same time it takes for one tin to expire if you open them all at once!

If you want to avoid expired matcha, we suggest you only open one tin at a time. Two if you are a serious matcha drinker and want to do some side by side comparisons. Unfortunately as we are constantly testing teas for Nio Teas, we can have a dozen or so packages open at once.

 

How to know if matcha is expired (signs & tests)

Now that we’ve covered why does matcha go bad and does matcha tea go bad, let’s discuss how to know if matcha is expired.

Color

One way how to know if matcha is expired is if the color is duller. That high quality matcha may have been a deep jade green when you bought it, but now it is paler and more yellow.

After a year or more, the color may even turn brown, which means it is time to toss out the expired matcha powder.

Flavor

Another way how to know if matcha is expired is if the flavor is duller, flatter or more bitter. Here you are looking for more woody or drier notes compared to the fresh vegetal tastes of fresh matcha.

 

Can you drink expired matcha?

So can you use expired matcha powder? That depends on what you’re using it for! Here are a few different guidelines for using expired matcha in different recipes.

Can i drink expired matcha plain

Some people ask “can I use expired matcha powder for my matcha?” Of course you can use expired matcha powder, but when you drink it plain it really intensifies the flavor. We would recommend mixing it with other ingredients and using fresh matcha for the plain drinking.

Can you drink expired matcha powder in a latte

Can you use expired matcha powder in a latte? This is actually a great way to use it! While expired matcha powder may be too bitter or dull to drink plain, you can mask some of its deficiencies with milk and sugar.

Can i still use expired matcha powder in baking

So is it ok to use expired matcha powder in baking? Expired matcha is dull and distasteful, but it is not bad for you. If you are going to be using large amounts of matcha powder in pastries and desserts, this is a good opportunity for you to offload some of your most expired matcha powder and save the good stuff for plain drinking. The other ingredients should mask the bitter flavor of the expired matcha. 

Can you eat expired matcha powder

So can you eat expired matcha powder? While it is never advised to eat matcha powder plain, no matter the quality, you can eat slightly expired matcha in baked goods, pastries and desserts. You don’t have to worry too much about expired matcha when it comes to baking.

 

Safety first: can expired matcha make you sick?

So can expired matcha make you sick? When we talk about expired matcha, we are not talking about the kind of expired matcha that is dangerous, just matcha powder that has lost its luster. 

Except for some extreme cases, the expired matcha powder is safe to consume, it will just be duller in color, more bitter in flavor and lower in nutrients.

How to tell is expired matcha powder safe

If you do have an expired matcha powder on your hands, take a minute to visually inspect it. Make sure it doesn’t smell off and doesn’t appear moldy. It’s more likely the powder will just be dull in appearance and not “expired” in the way that milk expires.

So can I drink expired matcha powder? Yes, as long as it is not moldy or spoiled.

Is too much matcha bad for you

Now that we’re on the topic, is too much matcha bad for you? To find the answer, you can read our blog article 👉 is matcha bad for you

 

How to Avoid expired matcha powder

So we’ve talked about why does matcha tea expire, but now we’re going to show you how to avoid expired matcha powder. There are a few steps its worth keeping in mind when it comes to avoiding expired matcha powder:

Airtight, opaque container

Does matcha go bad in the wrong container? You bet it does! Finding the right container is a key step when it comes to avoiding expired matcha. You want to avoid glass containers, as these can let light through.

Instead, you want an opaque container like a metal tin with an airtight seal on it. This keeps your matcha safe from light, humidity and oxygen.

Storing in the right spot

The most common place to keep matcha is in the kitchen, but this is the fastest way to get expired matcha powder. Thanks to the stove, the kitchen tends to have a higher temperature and more humidity than the rest of the house. 

This is also where you keep all the other foods, so the odors can be an issue. Instead, what you’ll want to do is have a dedicated pantry for your matcha away from heat and humidity.

Does matcha go bad in the freezer?

So does matcha go bad if you store it in the freezer? The freezer may seem like a good solution, it’s dry, its cold and it doesn’t have the same strong odors you find in the fridge. Unfortunately, it is so cold it creates a new set of problems.

When you take matcha powder out of the freezer, it is so cold that it causes the vapor in the air to condense and form humidity on your matcha. When you put it back into the freezer this can turn into crystals resembling “freezer burn”. It’s best to leave the cold storage to the professionals.