Can I still drink the tea cake if it has a moldy smell

Tea cakes with a moldy taste are usually not recommended for continued consumption. The moldy taste may be caused by factors such as mold contamination, improper storage, or moisture in tea leaves. Long term consumption of moldy tea leaves may pose a health hazard. If the environmental humidity is too high or the sealing is not tight during the storage process of tea, it is easy to breed mold and produce a moldy smell. Fungal metabolism may produce harmful substances such as aflatoxins, which are heat-resistant and difficult to remove through brewing. Long term intake can increase the risk of liver damage. Mildly moldy tea leaves may only show surface white frost or a slight odor, but the internal mycelium has penetrated the tea body. Even if the moldy part is removed, there may still be invisible contamination in other areas.

Some old teas may produce a moldy aroma under specific processes, but professional identification is required. The aroma produced by natural aging is fundamentally different from moldy odors. The former usually has a woody or medicinal aroma and no pungent sensation. If the source of the moldy smell cannot be determined, risky consumption should be avoided. For high-value old tea, it is safer to ask professionals to evaluate and handle it. It is safer to discard ordinary tea cakes directly.

Tea should be stored in a well ventilated and dry environment, avoiding direct sunlight. Ceramic jars or tin foil bags can be used for sealed storage. It is recommended to consume unfermented tea such as green tea within six months, and post fermented tea such as Pu erh tea should also be regularly checked for moisture. Before drinking, pay attention to observing whether the tea leaves have clumps, discoloration, or odor. If the tea soup becomes cloudy or has an abnormal taste after brewing, stop drinking immediately. Even high-temperature steaming cannot completely remove toxins from moldy tea leaves. Do not harm your health by conserving resources.