How long will my tea be fresh after opening / what is the best before date?

The best-before date for unopened Ippodo tea is written on the barcode sticker on the package in a YYYY.MM.DD format, and is around 6 months from the packaging date. After opening the package, consume the tea soon (within around 1 month) for the freshest flavor and aroma.

There is no hard expiration date for our teas. Keep in mind that even unopened tea will lose its freshness steadily after the 6 months best-before period. For freshness, we often recommend opening and consuming one package at-a-time.

If you have tea that you would like to use beyond the 6 month best-before date, we suggest putting it in the freezer until later. When you are ready to use it, take it out of the freezer, and let it sit at room temperature until it is adjusted, for around 5 hours. (This way the condensation has evaporated and the tea has acclimated.) Then, open the package and use the tea normally. After opening, do not return to the freezer; just use normally and store at room temperature.