Twisted Tea is a popular brand of ready-to-drink hard iced tea that comes in a variety of flavors. The tea bags used in Twisted Tea products have a shelf life that allows them to stay fresh and flavorful for a certain period of time before going bad. Knowing how long Twisted Tea bags are good for can help you enjoy the tea before it expires.
What is Twisted Tea?
Twisted Tea is a line of flavored malt beverages produced by the Boston Beer Company, which also makes the Samuel Adams brand of beers. Twisted Tea contains alcohol, tea, and natural flavors. Some of the popular Twisted Tea flavors include:
- Twisted Tea Original – uses a black tea blend
- Twisted Tea Half and Half – combines black and green teas
- Twisted Tea Peach Tea – made with black tea and natural peach flavors
- Twisted Tea Raspberry Tea – contains black tea and raspberry flavors
- Twisted Tea Green Tea – uses a green tea blend
The Twisted Tea is brewed and sweetened before being combined with alcohol. The finished beverages contain around 5% alcohol by volume, similar to many beers. They have a crisp, fruity taste from the tea flavors and sweeteners used.
Shelf Life of Twisted Tea Bags
The shelf life of Twisted Tea bags refers to how long the dry, unopened tea bags will stay fresh and potent. Here are some general guidelines on the shelf life:
- Unopened Twisted Tea bags typically stay good for 18-24 months past the printed “best by” date on the packaging.
- Once opened, Twisted Tea bags are best used within 6 months for peak flavor.
- Properly stored bags may retain decent flavor for up to 12 months after opening.
- Tea bags that have been open for over a year are likely to lose freshness and brew weaker tea.
So an unopened Twisted Tea bag that’s within its expiration date could stay fresh in storage for around two years. But after opening the packaging, it’s better to use up the bags within 6-12 months.
How to Store Twisted Tea Bags
To help Twisted Tea bags last as long as possible, proper storage is important. Here are some tips for storing tea bags:
- Keep bags in their original airtight packaging until you open them.
- Once open, transfer unused bags to a sealed container or resealable bag.
- Keep bags in a cool, dry place away from light, heat, and moisture.
- Don’t refrigerate or freeze opened tea bags, as moisture can damage them.
- Store different tea flavors separately so they don’t absorb other scents.
- Avoid temperature extremes. Ideal storage temperature is 60-80°F.
With proper dry, dark storage at moderate temperatures, Twisted Tea bags can retain optimal flavor and aroma for months after opening. Refrigeration isn’t needed and can introduce unwanted moisture.
Signs that Twisted Tea Bags Have Gone Bad
Twisted Tea bags that have passed their prime will show signs of deterioration. Here’s what to look for:
- Faded or dull color instead of dark black/brown
- Dry, crumbly tea leaves
- Loss of original aroma, smells musty or stale
- Tea brews to a weak color and flavor
- Unpleasant medicinal or bitter taste
- Growth of mold on tea bags
If your Twisted Tea bags have these characteristics, it’s best to dispose of them and purchase fresh ones.
Does Twisted Tea Go Bad After Expiration Date?
The Twist Tea expiration date stamped on the packaging refers to the “best by” date – the timeframe where the unopened product has optimal flavor and quality. It’s generally fine to consume Twist Tea bags up to 6-12 months past the printed expiration date, though the flavor may start to decline after that point.
So even if your unopened Twisted Tea is slightly past its date, the bags don’t necessarily “go bad” or pose any safety issues. You just may notice the tea is less vibrant or potent. It comes down to personal preference and how sensitive you are to older tea flavors.
Can Expired Twisted Tea Make You Sick?
Consuming expired Twisted Tea bags is very unlikely to make you sick or cause foodborne illness, though the taste may be subpar. The alcohol content also helps prevent microbial growth. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Dry teas like Twisted Tea bags don’t support much bacterial growth.
- The Twist Tea bags are sterilized during manufacturing.
- Preservatives are added to help prevent mold.
- The low moisture content makes it hard for pathogens to thrive.
- The alcohol further inhibits microbial growth.
So while old Twisted Tea won’t be as satisfying to drink, it’s not hazardous. However, if the bags become excessively stale, moldy, or smell rotten, it’s better to err on the side of caution and dispose of them.
How to Tell When Twisted Tea Has Gone Bad
Here are some clear signs that Twisted Tea bags have spoiled and should be discarded:
- Visible mold growth on the tea bags or packaging
- Strong medicinal, musty, rotten smell
- Very dry, crumbly texture
- Brewed tea tastes sour, bitter, or rancid
- Change in appearance – odd colors, dampness
If you notice any of these warning signs, don’t take a chance on drinking the Twisted Tea. Stick to enjoying it before the quality deteriorates too far.
How To Tell if Unopened Twisted Tea is Bad
With factory-sealed Twisted Tea bags that haven’t been opened yet, here’s how to identify ones that have gone bad:
- Expired “best by” date passed by more than 6-12 months
- Bulging or leaking packaging
- Visible mold inside when shaking bag
- Foul, rotten odor when smelling packaging
- Change in color/appearance compared to fresh product
Again, these are signs that the tea is long past its prime and needs to be discarded. Properly stored, unopened bags that are still within several months of the date code are unlikely to be spoiled.
Can You Drink Twisted Tea After It Separates?
Sometimes opened bottles and cans of Twisted Tea can start to separate, leaving cloudy streaks or clumps in the liquid. This is normally just the tea components and natural flavors clustering together. It does not necessarily mean the Twisted Tea has gone bad.
As long as the drink doesn’t seem excessively thick and coagulated, smell or taste rancid, you can gently swirl and remix the separated Twisted Tea and consume it. Separation alone doesn’t make it unsafe or harmful to drink. But do watch for other more concerning signs of spoilage.
Does Twisted Tea Go Bad After Opening?
Once a bottle or can of Twisted Tea is opened, it should be consumed within a certain timeframe before it goes bad. Here are some general guidelines for how long opened Twisted Tea lasts:
- Plastic bottles – Consume within 5-7 days
- Cans – Drink within 3-5 days
- Glass bottles – Finish within 3-5 days
The higher alcohol content helps preserve opened Twisted Tea compared to other iced teas. But over time, the flavor quality does decline. For best taste and safety, finish Twisted Tea within a week of opening.
How To Store Opened Twisted Tea
To extend the shelf life of opened Twisted Tea, follow these tips:
- Refrigerate after opening to slow spoilage.
- Tightly reseal bottle/can between pours.
- Avoid storing for more than a week, even refrigerated.
- Keep away from sunlight and heat sources.
- Don’t mix old and new Twisted Tea to store together.
- Pour into a clean glass before drinking, rather than drinking straight from bottle/can.
Proper refrigerated storage helps retard the separation, oxidation, and staling processes. But the clock is ticking once that seal is broken, so drink up within a week.
How Long Can You Store Twisted Tea?
Here is a summary of how long Twisted Tea can be stored before going bad:
| Twisted Tea Type | Unopened Shelf Life | Opened Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|
| Bags | 18-24 months past “best by” date | 6-12 months |
| Bottles | 18-24 months past “best by” date | 5-7 days |
| Cans | 18-24 months past “best by” date | 3-5 days |
| Glass Bottles | 18-24 months past “best by” date | 3-5 days |
So Twisted Tea generally retains quality for about two years when still sealed. But consume within a week once open. Refrigeration and proper storage help maximize freshness and shelf life.
Does Twisted Tea Have Preservatives?
Twisted Tea does contain some preservative ingredients to help extend its shelf life. According to the manufacturer, Twisted Tea typically includes:
- Sodium benzoate – Microbial preservative
- Yellow #5 – Color stabilizer
- Yellow #6 – Color stabilizer
- Red #40 – Color stabilizer
These added preservatives allow the Twisted Tea to maintain quality and safety for months in storage and for several days after opening. Without them, the product would spoil faster.
Can You Freeze Twisted Tea?
You can safely freeze both unopened and opened Twisted Tea to extend its shelf life. Here are some freezing guidelines:
- Unopened Twist Tea can be frozen for 3-6 months past its “best by” date.
- Freeze opened Twisted Tea in an airtight container for 1-2 months.
- Letting the bottle/can thaw in the fridge preserves flavor best.
- Drink immediately after thawing, don’t refreeze.
- Frozen storage stops the clock on freshness.
Freezing gives you extra leeway if you buy Twisted Tea in bulk or have open containers you can’t finish. But thaw properly in the fridge before consuming.
Does Twisted Tea Have Alcohol?
Yes, all varieties of Twisted Tea contain alcohol. The alcohol content is typically around 5% ABV (alcohol by volume). This is similar to many beers.
The alcohol comes from the malt beverage base used in production, before the tea and natural flavors are added. The alcohol helps act as a preservative while also giving Twisted Tea its signature hard iced tea flavor profile.
Conclusion
Twisted Tea bags and ready-to-drink beverages have a decent shelf life of around 18-24 months before opening. Store them properly unopened, and avoid temperature extremes. Once opened, Twisted Tea only lasts about a week in the fridge. Look for changes in smell, appearance and flavor to determine if either the tea bags or beverages have gone bad. Discard any Twisted Tea that seems overly stale, bitter, moldy, or separating. While not highly hazardous when expired, consuming twisted tea long past its prime results in diminished flavor and quality.
