How long can tea generally be stored?

　　As we all know, food has an expiration date. But what about tea? If you look closely at the packaging when buying tea, you'll usually find that tea gift boxes have an expiration date of one to two years. However, tea lovers know that there's also the concept of aged tea in the tea world. Some teas, such as white tea and Pu'er tea, are said to improve with age.

　　So, do tea leaves actually have an expiration date? Different tea experts have given different answers. Some believe that there is an expiration date. "Each type of tea has an expiration date, but it varies depending on the region, climate, and storage methods, and cannot be generalized. For example, under the same storage conditions.

　　In the north, the shelf life of tea is longer." said the head of a provincial tea association. In addition, a black tea producer stated that the shelf life of tea is relative to the customer and is a promise made by the manufacturer to the customer regarding quality assurance.

　　Some believe tea has no expiration date. As long as the tea is initially roasted dry and stored properly, and has not deteriorated, there is no such thing as an expiration date. Even green tea or light-fragrant Tieguanyin, after a certain period of time, may turn yellow, changing its aroma and taste. However, this only changes the inherent quality characteristics of the tea.