Can I still drink tea with a moldy taste

Tea leaves with a moldy taste are usually not recommended for continued consumption. The moldy taste may be caused by improper storage leading to the growth of mold, commonly found in damp, high temperature, or poorly sealed environments. Drinking moldy tea may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions. Tea mold is often caused by high humidity in the storage environment or damaged packaging. The reproduction of mold in tea leaves can produce harmful substances such as aflatoxins, which are heat-resistant and cannot be decomposed by ordinary brewing. Mild mold growth may only manifest as abnormal odor, and in severe cases, tea leaves may show obvious mold spots or clumps. If a small amount of moldy tea is accidentally consumed, healthy individuals may experience temporary abdominal pain and diarrhea, but those with low immune function may trigger more severe allergic or toxic reactions.

Some aged black tea or Pu erh tea may have a natural aging aroma similar to earthy smell, which is fundamentally different from moldy taste. professional tea merchants will control temperature and humidity through dry storage to ensure the safe conversion of tea leaves. If the source of the odor cannot be accurately identified, it is recommended to discard the suspicious tea leaves directly. When purchasing tea, it is recommended to choose sealed and dry products without impurities. After opening, they should be stored in a dark sealed jar in a cool place.

It is recommended to use ceramic jars or tin foil bags for daily storage of tea to avoid mixing with odorous items. It is best to consume unfermented tea such as green tea within six months, and fermented tea should also be consumed within its shelf life. Before drinking tea, you can first smell the aroma of dry tea. Normal tea leaves should have a fresh plant fragrance. After brewing, cloudy tea soup or sour taste may indicate deterioration. Developing the habit of checking the condition of tea leaves can effectively avoid the health risks caused by accidentally drinking moldy tea.