Does Matcha Expire? 🍵 Storage Hacks You Need to Know 🌱

If you’re running a cafe, bakery, or restaurant that serves matcha drinks or desserts, you already know how much your customers value quality. One of the biggest factors that determines whether your matcha is Instagram worthy or disappointing? Freshness ✨

Especially with the recent weather in Toronto, hot, humid, and unpredictable. Matcha can lose its flavor and color quickly if it’s not stored correctly. If you don’t know how to keep it fresh, you could be unintentionally serving a flat, dull drink.

How Long Does Matcha Last? 📅

• Unopened matcha(stored properly) usually keeps its quality for 12–18 months from the production date

• Opened matcha is best consumed within 1-2 months for optimal flavor, aroma, and color

Matcha doesn’t “spoil” like milk, but it will oxidize, and lose its vibrant green color, delicate aroma, and rich umami flavor over time.

How to Tell If Matcha Is Past Its Prime🔍

If your matcha shows any of these signs, it’s time to replace it:

• Color looks dull or yellowish instead of bright green, especially if it’s a Ceremonial Matcha

• Aroma is faint or stale

• Flavor is flat or slightly bitter without the smooth sweetness you expect

Why Freshness Matters 👀

For cafes and bakeries, fresh matcha isn’t just about taste. It’s about presentation and consistency. Customers notice when the matcha latte they post on Instagram is a glowing green versus a muddy brown. Fresh matcha also means better balance in drinks, smoother foam in lattes, and more vibrant desserts 🍰.

Best Storage Practices 

To keep your matcha at its best:

1. Use an airtight container - Exposure to air speeds up oxidation 

2. Keep it cool and dry - Avoid storing matcha near ovens, coffee machines, or sunny windows 🌞

3. Limit light exposure - Light breaks down chlorophyll, fading the color 

4. Control humidity - Toronto’s summer humidity is especially tough on matcha 💦. If possible, store in a sealed tin inside a cupboard or in the fridge(but avoid condensation by letting it reach room temperature before opening)

5. Order smart - Purchase in quantities you can use within 1–2 months once opened 📦

Using Older Matcha Without Waste ♻️

If you find yourself with matcha that’s lost a bit of its color or aroma, don’t throw it away 🚫. It can still work for:

• Baked goods like cookies, cakes, or muffins 🍪🧁

• Smoothies where other flavors can balance it out

• Savory dishes like matcha salt or matcha soba

For Wholesale Buyers

The key to keeping matcha fresh, especially in Canada’s summer heat, is controlling air, light, heat, and humidity. By ordering smartly, storing correctly, and rotating stock, you’ll ensure your customers enjoy the same vibrant, delicious matcha experience every time 💚