Matcha is a traditional form of tea that is high in anti-oxidants and prepared by grinding tea leaves with a Japanese method.
It belongs to a class of green tea, which is widely accepted and loved by many around the world.
It has numerous health benefits, and frequent consumption does more good than harm.
It is usually prepared in milk and has a characteristic taste—further, the powder, widely used in desserts and other beverages.
Having your favorite tea around is essential; however, knowing its shelf-life and expiration is also crucial.
It can’t last forever, and how long does Matcha last? Isn’t it an obvious question?
After doing a little research, we have come to the conclusion that Matcha begins to lose its flavor after a year, even if you leave the package or container unopen.
After opening the pack, Matcha tends to lose its flavor and aroma within a duration of four weeks.
How Long Does Matcha Last? Does Matcha Go Bad?
The thing with Matcha is that it doesn’t spoil or go rotten. It nearly loses all its flavor and becomes bland over a considerable duration.
After it has lost all its taste, it is still safe for human consumption but preferably as a baking good.
Matcha is extremely sensitive to the changes in the surroundings. Knowing about the shelf-life of Matcha is the following fact which needs to get worked upon.
Usually, the packs have an expiration date which is mentioned one to two years after the production date.
Matcha gets stored in airtight containers protected from direct heat, light, and moisture.
Further, Matcha belongs to the class of exported goods, and only specific properties are affected.
Simultaneously, the product doesn’t spoil quickly. The shelf-life mentioned is an estimate of the quality rather than the extent of spoilage.
Hence, it is advisable that you buy a pack that is recent and the closest to the production date.
Further, to slow down the loss of potency, matcha is stored in nitrogen sealed packets in the deep freeze. You can try this at home with the unopened packs.
Once you open the packet, don’t store it in the fridge since droplets of water can form around or within the container, which can be harmful to the tea.
Further, if you store an unopened pack in the freezer, ensure that the tea comes to room temperature before using, or else due to moisture, the tea can be spoilt.
Matcha is in powdered form, makes it highly susceptible to losing its flavor and aroma fast.
Hence, it is better to consume it within a month to prevent the loss of the characteristic properties.
When you use the Matcha powder for baking purposes, it is better to taste a little to know that you’re not using flat Matcha, which is a waste of an ingredient.
How to Tell if Matcha is Bad?
Once you open the packet or the storage container, there are specific attributes of Matcha that will clearly indicate that it has lost its potency.
You will know the signs in an instant.
First of them is the color of the powder, which develops a yellowish shade. Naturally, it is intensely pigmented and shows a distinctive green color.
This is due to the fact that there is the absence of oxidation, and once it starts oxidizing, it loses the green color.
Further, the shade of green varies from one brand to another, so if you’re confident about the shelf-life of the powder, don’t fear the spoilage of the powder if it’s a lighter shade of green.
If you’re really unsure, to begin with, taste the Matcha to ensure that it’s okay.
If it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, then the Matcha has lost its properties.
Though it has an intense flavor, it is never too bitter, and you can certainly withstand the taste.
If you can’t, you can be sure that the Matcha has degraded. Last but not least is the aroma.
You will be able to smell a faint, grass-like smell with an underlying sweet tone.
However, if you’re not able to make out the smell or it doesn’t exist at all, you have lost your Matcha.
As it grows duller, it is essential to use it all up fast or consider replacing the entire batch.
Hence, ensure that your Matcha powder isn’t showing any signs of loss in quality.
Conclusion
There are specific ways to ensure that your Matcha doesn’t get flat out wasted.
Take an adequate amount and store it in a small bottle or container for frequent usage while the rest of it can get frozen.
Also, once you know, the Matcha has grown dull, start using it as a side ingredient in the baking of different types of bread and desserts.
Hence, you can use the whole batch without regretting its purchase.
How Long Does Matcha Last? Does Matcha Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Matcha
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
- If frozen, thaw in the fridge before use. Always check for signs of spoilage before using.
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