Green Tea: What a Difference a Date Makes

However did you know that Green Tea has a fairly short shelf life, and to get the greatest benefits it should be drunk as quickly after picking as is possible? The object of consuming Green Tea is to derive the greatest health benefits that the brew has to offer.
The actual shelf life of Green Tea will generally be up to six months after harvesting, when exposed to open air.
Indeed there are certain varieties of Green Tea which will be deemed spoiled after four months from harvesting.
So freshness becomes a problem However with the popularity of Green Tea soaring worldwide it now travels perhaps many thousands of miles from the harvest site before it reaches the customer. Keeping Green Tea fresh for consumption in the countries in which it is harvested, although needing care is fairly simple as there is usually no great time-delay in transportation.
When transporting Green Tea on long journeys most companies, but not all, seal the tea in packages filled with a nitrogen gas, which replaces oxygen and prevents the Green Tea from oxidisation.
When sold in packages the Green Tea should be sealed in a bag from which the oxygen has been removed. The contents of the bag should then be used within two months so as to have the Green Tea at its freshest.
There is much difference between a Green Tea which has been exposed to air for much of its life.
You should always read the packaging before purchase to make sure of the harvest date of the Green Tea: the better providers have no problem in giving this information. Sometimes you take a risk in the purchase of your favourite flavour of Green Tea, in that some degradation has happened prior to your purchase due to the exposure to oxygen.
Remember, by purchasing the freshest you will be getting a greater helping of the wonderful benefits Green Tea has to offer.
Mike Linder is the author of the definitive guide to all green teas and their health benefits.
http://www.benefitsdrinkinggreentea.com