Especially when you get good tea from quality suppliers, it’s excellent. I’m part of a tea club and get sent boxes of tea from a specific vendor i really like. Some of the tea is probably more than a year old, but I’d just as happily tear open the bag and make a delicious pot of tea. high quality tea is not as expensive as people think and it’s absolutely wonderful. it is softer than coffee though and takes some time for your palate to adjust.
ETA: I pay $40 every other month and get over an ounce of loose leaf tea, carefully selected with love by the vendor. they’re a small operation with direct ties to tea farms in China and source from family and friends. And if you’re in the right communities, you can talk to them directly and discuss the tea with them. the world of tea is very inviting and open and you’d be surprised how cheap really good tea is, especially in bulk.