Tea is one of the must-haves for the majority of households because they are accustomed to drinking tea on a regular basis. For this reason, people have a huge collection of tea bags in their pantry, but they grow out of control pretty quickly and start developing mold. This article entails everything you need to know about tea bags and mold!
Can Tea Get Moldy?
Yes, it is possible for tea to develop mold, but it depends on the environment. This is because proper storage actually prevents the growth of mold. Mold tends to grow on organic materials if the airflow, temperature, and humidity are not optimized. On the other hand, when tea is properly stored, it can prevent mold development for an indefinite time period. There are various factors that lead to mold development, and we are sharing how such an issue can be prevented;
Temperature
The mold growth is heavily dependent on temperature, and mold tends to grow at temperatures ranging from 32-degrees Fahrenheit to 120-degrees Fahrenheit, but the optimal growth temperature is 80-degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, you have to store your tea at a temperature below or above the mentioned temperature.
Humidity
Humidity is another factor that increases the chances of mold growth. This risk increases when the humidity level ranges from 60% to 65%, while humidity levels up to 75% will carry a higher risk of mold growth. This is because these humidity levels lead to moisture in tea, resulting in mold growth. Having said that, you cannot store tea at high humidity levels but make sure that you don’t end up drying up the tea.
This is because dry tea tends to lose its flavors. For this reason, you should store tea where the humidity level ranges from 50% to 60%, as it’s enough for preserving the lifespan and flavor of your tea.
Airflow
Mold needs air for living and reproducing. On the other hand, when the airflow is restricted, mold will eventually die. This is why the tea should be stored in an airtight container as it has a vacuum buildup. In addition, you should store the tea without any air contact to preserve the flavor for a longer period.
When Is The Right Time To Throw Out The Tea?
If you have had tea bags stored for a long time, there are chances that tea has gone bad or has developed mold. To determine if the tea is safe to be consumed or not, we are sharing the common signs that you need to look out for;
- First of all, check out the tea bag and see if the tea leaves move separately or in the form of lumps. If tea is moving in the form of lumps, the tea should be discarded as soon as possible
- Secondly, you need to smell the tea bags because a weird or rotten smell is a clear indicator that the tea is not safe anymore
- Lastly, the molded tea will have a discolored appearance. So, if the tea leaves have changed color, it’s best to avoid drinking such tea
So, check out your stored tea bags right now to keep yourself safe!