Matcha is more perishable than you might expect. It doesn’t spoil like milk, but it loses quality quickly.
Shelf Life Guidelines
Unopened Matcha
| Storage | Approximate Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Room temperature (cool, dark) | 6-12 months |
| Refrigerator | 1 year or more |
Check the production date or best-by date if listed. Matcha processed and sealed by reputable producers stays fresh longer.
Opened Matcha
| Storage | Best Quality | Still Usable |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | 2-4 weeks | 1-2 months |
| Refrigerator | 1-2 months | 2-3 months |
After opening, matcha degrades faster. Use it while it’s fresh.
”Best Quality” vs “Still Usable”
Matcha doesn’t become unsafe to consume after these timeframes — it just loses:
- Vibrant color (fades to dull green)
- Fresh aroma (becomes flat)
- Sweet, umami notes (becomes bitter/flat)
- Antioxidant potency (decreases over time)
Old matcha might taste disappointing, but it won’t make you sick.
How to Tell If Your Matcha Is Past Its Prime
Color Check
- Fresh: Vibrant, bright green
- Fading: Slightly dull
- Old: Olive, yellowish, or brownish
Smell Check
- Fresh: Grassy, slightly sweet, vibrant
- Fading: Weaker smell
- Old: Flat, no smell, or musty
Taste Check
- Fresh: Smooth, balanced, natural sweetness
- Fading: Less complex, slightly bitter
- Old: Flat, bitter, one-dimensional
Extending Matcha Life
To maximize freshness:
- Buy smaller quantities — Better to use a fresh 30g than have a 100g bag go stale
- Store properly — Airtight, cool, dark (see storage guide)
- Use it — Don’t save it for a special occasion; it’s losing quality daily
- Note the date — Write when you opened it on the container
What to Do With Old Matcha
If your matcha is past its prime but you don’t want to waste it:
- Make lattes — Milk and sweetener mask the decline
- Bake with it — Cookies, cakes, etc. — freshness matters less
- Make a face mask — Some people use old matcha topically (not the primary use case, but a way to not waste it)
- Compost it — It’s just ground tea leaves
Does Matcha Expire?
“Expiration” vs “best by” matters:
- Best by date: After this, quality declines but it’s not unsafe
- No true expiration: Matcha doesn’t expire the way dairy does
The main risk with very old matcha isn’t safety — it’s that it’ll taste bad and you’ll waste money making unpleasant matcha.
Why Matcha Goes Bad Faster Than Other Teas
With regular tea, you steep leaves and discard them. Flavor compounds that have oxidized affect the taste less.
With matcha, you consume the entire ground leaf. Every oxidized compound ends up in your cup. This makes freshness more important.