Starting your day with freshly brewed tea is the ultimate form of self-care. There is nothing wrong with the traditional way of making Chai. However, if you find it challenging to brew a cup of tea for yourself because of having a busy schedule and looking for a quick fix, we have something delicious for you.
Have you ever brewed a cup of chai tea using store-bought chai tea concentrate? Chai tea is known for its warm and comforting flavors. Chai tea concentrate is a great way to enjoy chai tea without going through the trouble of making your own.
Chai tea concentrate can help you prepare a freshly brewed cup of tea for yourself from the comfort of your home. And that too without any complicated efforts. You can add your favorite milk to chai tea concentrate to treat yourself with a delicious cup of tea. One of the best things about chai tea is that it can be enjoyed hot or cold.
What will you do if you have some leftover chai tea concentrate after your friend’s party is over? Can you store it? Yes, you can!
Here the question arises, how to store chai tea concentrate? Keeping it in the right conditions will ensure its quality remains high. Here, you’ll learn about Chai tea Concentrate Vital Shelf Life and Storage Tips.
Chai tea Concentrate Vital Shelf Life and Storage Tips
Chai tea concentrate is a concentrated version of chai tea that can be stored for 3months to 2 years. We will let you know the shelf life of chai tea concentrate, how long you can store chai tea, and the best storage tips for keeping this concentrate safe for longer durations.
Chai Tea Concentrate Shelf Life
Homemade chai tea concentrate has a shorter shelf life, and it expires in a maximum of 5 days. However, if you don’t want to brew tea at home, you can easily buy chai tea concentrate from the grocery stores.
Like evaporated milk, chai tea concentrate (Tazo chai concentrate) that is purchased from a store has a long shelf life. Chai tea concentrate has an average shelf life of 12 to 23 months. Chai tea concentrate is also available online at Amazon and Walmart.
It is totally safe to consume during this time.
Once this time passes, bacteria start growing in the concentrate. This growth of bacteria indicates that you are most likely to experience food poisoning if you use this concentrate. Symptoms like diarrhea and stomach upset may also occur. So, using expired chai tea concentrate is not recommended at all.
Do You Have to Refrigerate Chai Concentrate?
The chai tea concentrate must be refrigerated. Once you refrigerate it in an airtight container at optimum temperature conditions, you can use it for longer. Also, the store-bought chai tea concentrate like Tazo chai tea concentrate should be kept in the refrigerator once you open it.
How Long Can You Keep Chai Tea Concentrate in the Fridge?
Having discovered the shelf life of chai tea concentrate, you might be interested in knowing how long you can keep chai tea concentrate in the fridge?
If you make chai tea concentrate at home, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days (at a temperature of 38 °F – 40 °F).
If you want to extend the shelf life of the chai concentrate, add one teaspoon of citric acid per quart of water.
This will prevent mold from growing. The concentrate can also be frozen for up to three months.
How long does Tazo Chai Tea Concentrate Last in the Fridge?
Tazo Chai tea concentrates should be kept in the refrigerator and used within 7-10 days after opening.
Does Chai Tea Concentrate Go Bad?
The chai tea concentrate, like most liquids, can eventually go bad if it’s stored for too long. Nevertheless, if you refrigerate chai tea concentrate, it will stay as good as new, and you can use it to brew a soothing cup of hot chai tea or iced chai tea latte.
Keeping it in the refrigerator between 38°F – 40°F for 10 days is safe. Milk above 45°F can support the rapid growth of bacteria. Before placing it in the refrigerator, store the homemade tea concentrate in an airtight container.
How Do You Know if Chai Concentrate is Bad?
If you have chai tea concentrate and aren’t sure if it’s expired or not, we are here to help you. Here we will let you know how you can explore if the chai tea concentrate you are using is bad or not.
Here are four clear and distinct signs that will help you understand whether the chai concentrate you have is bad or not.
- The most obvious sign of an expired chai tea concentrate is you will experience a dank, pungent smell coming from your tea. This strong smell indicates that your chai tea concentrate has gone bad.
- Your tea will have mold on it. The appearance of this mold indicates that the chai tea concentrate has gone bad.
- If your tea has lost its scent and flavor, the chai tea concentrate you have is expired. The tea is expired if there is no smell or flavor, even if it doesn’t have a dank smell or mold. The loss of aroma and flavor indicates nothing left in your tea.
- If your tea concentrate has been left open for more than 10 days, it has necessarily gone bad. After this time duration, the tea concentrate might lose its flavor and potency. So, there is no point in consuming tea concentrate after 10 days.
Storage Tips for Chai Tea Concentrate
Here are a few tips that you must consider while storing chai tea concentrate in the fridge.
- Fulfill Temperature Requirements
While storing in the fridge, you must ensure that the temperature requirements are fulfilled becausebacteria start growing in the milk once the temperature reaches above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Store in an airtight container.
Also, it is essential to store chai tea concentrate in an airtight container when you are storing it in a fridge. It is advantageous to keep tea concentrate in the refrigerator because it prevents contamination.
The problem with leaving chai tea concentrate in the refrigerator for too long is that toxic substances can be produced that cannot be destroyed by heat. To prevent bacterial growth, store chai tea concentrate immediately after using it.
- Increase Refrigeration Life from 10 Days to 3 Months
You can increase the refrigeration life of homemade chai tea concentrate from 5 days to 3 months. Let’s find out how this can be done.
To increase the refrigeration life of chai tea concentrate by up to 3 months, you need to pour the concentrate into ice cube molds and freeze it for around 5 hours. Once it’s frozen, transfer these cubes into a freezer bag and place them in the fridge.
When you want to use this concentrate, you can take these cubes out of the refrigerator, melt them in the microwave oven, and add hot milk to drink delicious hot Chai. Please note that after refrigeration, the tea may become cloudy. The reason is that tea leaves release caffeine and tannins upon exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best decaf chai tea Concentrate
Decaf chai tea is a very niche market. It is prevalent among pregnant or on medication who can’t have caffeine. If you are in the market for decaf chai tea, you will want to ensure you get the best decaf chai tea.
But not all chai tea is decaf, and not all decaf chai tea is made equal. We have found the two best-decaffeinated chai tea concentrates so you can choose what best suits your needs.
Tazo Decaf chai tea features the boldest black tea leaves blended with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger with creamy notes of vanilla and a hint of sweetness.
Tazo Decaffeinated chai tea concentrate is made with care using a unique process to enjoy the rich, full-bodied flavor of a distinctive blend of spices without feeling jittery.
The Chai Company’s Organic Rooibos Chai Herbal Spiced Tea Concentrate is a unique combination that gently warms the belly and heart.
The Chai Company uses an infusion of aromatic spices, and premium quality tea leaves to create an excellent chai highlighting floral notes of Rooibos with hints of natural vanilla and caramel. This product is certified Kosher, gluten-free, and vegan packaged in 100% recycled cartons. Enjoy it hot or iced.
Photo altered by dejittr.com | Photo attribution:Bank Phrom
FAQs
How long does chai tea concentrate last? ›
Storage Instructions. Store the chai concentrate in a pitcher with a lid in the refrigerator for up to five days. To extend its shelf life, use 1 teaspoon of citric acid per quart of water. It can can also be frozen for up to three months.
How long does homemade chai concentrate last in the fridge? ›Remove the tea bags, then strain off all the spices. Stir in sweetener while the mixture is still hot. Allow to cool then store in the fridge until ready to serve. The mixture will keep for 7-10 days.
Does Tazo chai concentrate need to be refrigerated? ›TAZO on Twitter: "@PIDGEme You should refrigerate any remaining chai after it has been opened." / Twitter.
Can chai tea concentrate be frozen? ›Storage: Chai concentrate will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. Serve iced or reheat on the stove. For longer storage, pour the chai concentrate into ice cube trays and freeze. Transfer to a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
How do you store concentrated tea? ›Strain off tea leaves and discard and allow concentrate to cool in an airtight container and refrigerate. Refrigerated concentrate will keep for about a week.
How long is Tazo chai tea concentrate good for? ›The box is stored in the pantry and has a 1 year shelf life. Once it is opened, it should be refrigerated and used within 7 days.
How long can you store chai? ›How long will Real Chai keep for? Real Chai has a shelf life of up to two years. Store in an airtight container for maximum freshness. I've no doubt you'll be drinking your Real Chai well and truly before this time!
How do you store chai in the fridge? ›Chai tea blends can stay fresh for up to a year if you always store it in a cool, dark place keeping it away from heat, light, oxygen and moisture. Never store tea in the fridge. Tea will last longer if stored in an opaque, airtight container away from items that can leach their flavour into the tea.
Can you drink expired chai tea concentrate? ›Similar to evaporated milk, chai tea concentrate often has a shelf life of 12 to 23 months. After that, bacteria may begin to grow in the concentrate. That means you risk food poisoning when you drink expired chai tea concentrate.
How long does chai last out of fridge? ›Yes! We post our chai unrefrigerated as it is shelf stable at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Can you freeze Tazo chai tea concentrate? ›
Storage Tips. Keep your concentrate bottled up in the fridge for one week. Tip: To make it last longer, freeze in ice cube trays and use in frappuccinos or iced drinks for a more potentness chai flavour.
Can you freeze Tazo chai concentrate? ›I freeze the Tazo Chai concentrate ahead of time in ice cube trays, that way when I'm ready to make my smoothie, I can just pop the chai cubes into the blender with the other ingredients and not have to worry about the flavors getting watered down from using regular ice.
Can you heat chai concentrate? ›Mix equal parts chai concentrate with the milk of your choice. Heat on the stove or in the microwave. Or simply pour over ice.
How do you store tea in the freezer? ›The benefit of storage in freezers is also that moisture will be condensed and frozen in ice instead of moving around freely in refrigerators. This highly benefits the tea leaves. To avoid moisture further, make sure to pack the leaves in a sealable bag and press as much as air out of them before you seal them.
What is chai concentrate made of? ›According to Tazo.com, the ingredients in Tazo Classic Chai tea bags are “black teas, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, cloves, star anise.” If you want extra flavor, you can definitely add more of your own whole spices. Like cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, fresh ginger, or peppercorns.
How do you store tea long term? ›Much like with coffee storage, you'll need to keep your tea away from light, moisture, heat, and air. Store tea bags in an airtight, opaque container that's in a cool, dark place such as a cabinet or pantry. Additionally, keep tea away from other items with strong aromas that may bleed in and alter the taste.
Can you store tea in the fridge? ›Packaged Tea
Brian adds that you should never store tea in the freezer or refrigerator—there's more moisture and condensation in there that can accelerate the degradation process, and the variation of temperature from being taken out and put back in the refrigerator isn't good for it, either.
You should avoid storing your tea in plastic containers for a few reasons. One: plastic absorbs odors. The tea will absorb the odors of anything that was previously stored in the container.
What tea has the longest shelf life? ›Black tea is fully fermented, and it has a longer shelf life than green tea. Generally, the shelf life of black tea in bulk is about 18 months, while bagged tea is 24 months. Tins or aluminum foil bags for black tea can be stored for about 3 years, and paper bag is for 2 years.
Can tea last 10 years? ›As mentioned, tea bags do not expire. Neither does loose leaf tea. Dry tea leaves and bags are typically good for a whopping two years before quality starts rolling down a hill. All teas made from the camellia sinensis plant, whether green or black teas, will begin to lose their flavor over time [3].
What brand of chai concentrate does Starbucks use? ›
Bring the in-store taste to all your favorite Starbuck's Chai drinks made at home with this Black Tea Concentrate. It Is a flavorful and aromatic blend! Starbuck's Tea vana Classic Chai Concentrate is a blend of black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and vanilla.
How do you store wet chai? ›Store in the jar in the fridge for up to a month if you used honey/date syrup, but up to 2 weeks if you used the water/monk fruit mix as the lack of sugars will mean it's less well preserved.
What are the side effects of chai tea? ›Additionally, chai tea contains a compound called tannins. Tannins in Tea can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. If you are sensitive to tannins, it is important to limit your intake of chai tea.
Can you leave chai in the fridge? ›The good news is that you can store your cup of tea in the fridge overnight. For hot-brewed tea, it is recommended that you don't keep your tea in the fridge more than 8 hours. If you're going for an iced tea, you're good! Pull it out, maybe pour it over some ice, and enjoy.
What happens if you drink tea past the expiration date? ›This date usually indicates how long the tea will maintain its ideal taste for. Once the best before date has passed, the tea is still safe to consume**, however you may notice the flavour may not be as strong as it was, compared to when it was first purchased.
Does chai tea leaves expire? ›However, dried tea leaves that are kept dry will not spoil, and as long as they are stored away from heat, water, light and air, the flavor and phytochemical content can be maintained for up to two years. The more fermented and intact the dried leaves are, the longer they will last.
How long does chai tea latte last in the fridge? ›This will keep for a maximum of 48 hours.
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Tazo Classic Chai Latte
A black tea concentrate is made with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and vanilla. This is the same brand of chai concentrate that Starbucks uses at their stores.
Tea is relatively forgiving, and rarely spoils as long as it's stored properly. Old tea may simply be less flavorful and fresh than new tea, and will brew up a weaker cup with a stale flavor. In this sense, tea doesn't actually have an “expiration date” after which it will be unsafe to drink.
Can you steam chai concentrate? ›Use a standalone milk steamer for making chai. Use a shelf-stable concentrate that can sit on the counter near the steam wand—and then add it to the milk before steaming. Keep the chai concentrate warm on an induction burner.
How much caffeine is in Tazo chai tea concentrate? ›
110 calories per 3/4 cup concentrate. Caffeine Level: 5. Caffeine Guide: 61+ mg. Values are based on a 8 fl oz serving and reflect our standard brewing methods.
Do you have to refrigerate Tazo tea? ›tazo.com or 800-299-9445. 100% Recycled bottle. Shake before opening. Keep refrigerated.
Does chai concentrate have a lot of caffeine? ›One cup of chai from the powdered form has 25 to 55mg of caffeine while in the concentrate, it's more likely to be 30 to 35mg. Compare that to roughly 120mg in your average cup of coffee and it's obvious that if you want to be a lively bag of beans, you'll probably want to stick to those, well, coffee beans.
Is chai concentrate or powder better? ›#SpoonTip: I recommend generally avoiding all powdered chai, as they usually have way more sugar than the liquid concentrates and lack flavor.
Is chai tea high in caffeine? ›Chai tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine. This tea blend contains several ingredients, including black tea leaves, as well as other herbs and spices, like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. These herbs and spices are caffeine-free, but black tea leaves do contain caffeine.
What is the best material to store tea? ›Plastics absorb odours, much like tea, so if it has been previously used it may taint the leaves. Aluminium is generally acknowledged as the best material to use. Just make sure whatever you choose is suitable for food storage. The perfect, airtight tea canister will keep your tea fresh for up to a year.
How do you make a tea shelf-stable? ›Adopt Aseptic Processing and Cartons
The flash and gentle heat treatment provided with aseptic processing, which is equally effective with high- and low-acid products, helps preserve the original brewed tea quality and renders it shelf-stable for up to a year without the need for preservatives.
Normally, packaged and loose leaf tea lasts in the pantry for 6-12 months; it is highly recommended to drink tea after receiving it within a year. The only teas that tend to get better with age are pu-erh and certain white and oolong teas.
What is chai tea actually called? ›Chai tea simply translates to "tea tea." It's like referring to kabocha as kabocha squash, or shortbread as shortbread cookies. What most people consider "chai tea" is better known as masala chai ("masala" means spices).
How much sugar is in chai tea concentrate? ›...
Tazo Organic Chai Latte Black Tea Concentrate.
Total Fat | 0g | 0% |
---|---|---|
Dietary Fiber | 1g | 4% |
Sugars | 16g | |
Protein | 0g |
What does chai concentrate taste like? ›
The combination of these chai spices makes this tea taste sweet, spicy, creamy, heady, complex, robust, and earthy all at the same time. There are various subtle ways the flavor of chai changes based on the type of tea leaves, sweeteners, milk, and spices used.
How long does Oregon Chai concentrate last after opening? ›Here at Oregon Chai, we believe in using organic and 100% natural ingredients whenever humanly possible. Refrigerate after opening. Use within four weeks.
Is it okay to drink expired chai? ›Old tea may simply be less flavorful and fresh than new tea, and will brew up a weaker cup with a stale flavor. In this sense, tea doesn't actually have an “expiration date” after which it will be unsafe to drink. However, if stored improperly, tea may become stale or dull more quickly.
How long is sweet tea concentrate good for? ›Cool to room temperature. Transfer to a container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
How do you use Tazo chai concentrate? ›Mix equal parts chai concentrate with the milk of your choice. Heat on the stove or in the microwave. Or simply pour over ice.
Does Oregon Chai concentrate need to be refrigerated? ›Oregon Chai is shelf stable and does not require refrigeration upon opening.
Can you drink chai concentrate with water? ›A chai concentrate is a very strong tea that is made with an Indian black tea and aromatic spices. Similar to making a stovetop chai, the spices are simmered then steeped with the tea and sweetened if desired. It is meant to be diluted with water or milk before serving. You do not drink the concentrate on its own.
Can chai be stored? ›Chai tea blends can stay fresh for up to a year if you always store it in a cool, dark place keeping it away from heat, light, oxygen and moisture. Never store tea in the fridge. Tea will last longer if stored in an opaque, airtight container away from items that can leach their flavour into the tea.
Is chai tea concentrate good for you? ›Chai tea is a great source of antioxidants, which work to reduce free radicals in the body and promote cellular health, and can even help prevent degenerative diseases and certain forms of cancer. Like other types of tea made from the camellia sinensis tea plant, black tea is extremely high in antioxidants.
How do you preserve tea for a long time? ›In order to keep tea fresh, you should protect tea leaves from exposure to air, heat, light, and moisture. This means storing tea in an airtight container and keeping it in a cool, dark place. You should avoid storing tea near any sources of heat, like a stove or a sunny window.
How do you use concentrated tea? ›
A tea concentrate allows you to have iced tea quickly. Simply shake the concentrate, pour over ice, and add extra filtered water. That's it! Conversely, add hot milk to your tea concentrate for an instant latte.
Can you heat up chai concentrate? ›To Make Hot Chai Tea:
Combine 1 part chai tea concentrate with 1 part water or milk (cow's milk, almond milk, soy milk, etc.), and stir to combine. Heat in a saucepan over medium heat until simmering, stirring occasionally. Or heat in the microwave until simmering.
Use a standalone milk steamer for making chai. Use a shelf-stable concentrate that can sit on the counter near the steam wand—and then add it to the milk before steaming. Keep the chai concentrate warm on an induction burner.