WARNING! AVOID DRINKING TEA LEFT OUT OVERNIGHT IMMEDIATELY

We all know the feeling of coming home after a long day of work, reheating yesterday’s leftover tea, and sitting down to relax. However, before you take that sip, there’s something you need to know. Leaving tea out overnight could be dangerous.

Tea can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria, making it unsafe to drink. In this blog, we will explore how long tea can sit out, how it goes bad, and how you can make your tea last longer. We have also shared a few tips on how you can cool your tea down quickly, store it in a sealed container, and even freeze it to ensure that you get the maximum benefits from your favorite beverage while keeping yourself safe from illnesses.

How Long Can Tea Sit Out?

Drinking tea left out overnight can pose a risk to our health. If left at room temperature for more than eight hours, it can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria, which can cause digestive problems. Moreover, if you add milk to your tea, it’s recommended that you discard it after two hours.

If you want to store your tea, you can keep it in the fridge for two to five days, depending on quality and brewing. However, sweetened tea tends to spoil more quickly. Remember to keep your tea stored in a tightly sealed container. Always be cautious when drinking tea left unattended for an extended time. It’s best to make fresh tea regularly rather than risk any potential health hazards caused by drinking tea that’s been sitting out too long.

According to the National Food Safety and Information Service, brewed tea should not be left out for more than four hours. This is because brewed tea contains bacteria that can grow and multiply, leading to food poisoning. If you must leave your tea out for more than four hours, store it in the fridge in a sealed container. This will help to slow down the growth of bacteria. However, be aware that fridge temperatures can fluctuate, so it’s best to consume your tea within two days of storing it in the fridge.

It’s also important to note that different types of tea have different shelf lives.

Black tea and white teas will last longer than oolong teas, herbal teas, and green teas because they are less susceptible to mold growth. When stored properly, black tea and white tea can last for six months to one year. Oolong tea and green tea should be consumed within three to four months to prevent mold growth.

Mold can cause diseases such as histoplasmosis, aspergillosis, and mucormycosis. While these diseases are rare, they can be serious or even deadly in some cases. To help disease control the growth of mold on tea leaves, it’s important to store them in a cool, dry place that has good air circulation. It’s also best to keep them in an airtight container to prevent moisture from getting in and promote mold growth.

How Tea Goes Bad

Many of us enjoy a good cup of tea, but what happens when we forget to put it away overnight? While tea doesn’t have a precise expiry date, its quality decreases over time. Additionally, bacteria growth in tea is limited by temperature, but when left out overnight, the taste may become bitter and the flavor may change. Brewed tea can also go bad, and its drinkability depends on several factors such as the type of tea, brewing method, and storage conditions.

Indications of bad tea can include strands and a changed texture. It’s also important to note that adding sugar to tea can accelerate bacterial growth, making it even more important to properly store your tea after brewing. So, if you forget to put your tea away overnight, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid drinking it to avoid possible illness.

Can Tea Go Bad And Make You sick?

If you’re wondering whether drinking tea that’s been left out overnight can make you sick, the answer is yes. Brewed tea should not sit out for more than 8 hours to avoid bacterial growth and unpleasant taste. Adding milk shortens the time brewed tea can sit out to just 2 hours. The CDC recommends consuming brewed tea at room temperature within 8 hours to prevent bacterial growth. Bacteria growth in tea is expedited by high temperatures and sugar.

If you’re concerned about consuming tea that’s gone bad, look for signs of texture, appearance, and flavor changes. Bad tea tastes unpleasant and should not be consumed. As a rule of thumb, it’s always best to brew fresh tea and consume it within a reasonable period. This will help you avoid the risk of bacterial growth and keep your tea tasting fresh and delicious.

How Long Does Iced Tea Last Unrefrigerated?

Iced tea is a popular and refreshing drink, but it’s important to know how long it can be left unrefrigerated to avoid getting sick. If you leave brewed tea at room temperature, it’s usually safe to consume for about 8 hours. After that, bacteria can start to grow, and it may not be safe to drink. If you add sugar or fruit, the tea can start fermenting in as little as one day. For this reason, it’s recommended to store iced tea in the fridge and consume it within one day.

Unopened bottled iced tea can last up to 18-24 months if stored properly. However, it’s still important to check the expiration date before consuming. Even if properly stored, drinking expired tea is not recommended, as it may not be safe to consume. In short, it’s best to follow storage guidelines and err on the side of caution when it comes to drinking tea that’s been left out overnight or for too long.

Why Refrigerate Iced Tea?

Drinking tea left out overnight can be a source of illness. When tea is left at room temperature, bacteria grow rapidly, rendering it unsafe to drink. This is why refrigerating iced tea is of utmost importance. It is recommended to keep iced tea in the fridge to preserve its flavor and prevent bacteria from growing. The sugars in the tea tend to break down if left at room temperature too long, leading to a loss of flavor, so it is best served chilled. Refrigeration helps keep iced tea cold and refreshing, and also ensures that the flavor stays intact.

How Long Does Packaged Or Unopened Iced Tea Last?

Drinking tea left out overnight can be harmful, and may cause bacterial growth leading to illness. It’s important to store iced tea properly and consume it within a certain time frame to avoid health risks. Unopened packaged iced tea can last a long time – around 18-24 months – but might taste, look, or smell weird after the expiration date.

Fermentation can occur in iced tea with added sugar or fruit juice, making them unsafe to consume even after one day in the refrigerator. If brewed tea sits at room temperature for longer than 8 hours, bacteria may grow and the tea should be discarded. Plain brewed tea can last up to 5 days in the fridge but should be consumed quickly. It’s safer to consume sealed bottled iced tea than opened or leftover tea. Always store and consume iced tea with caution to avoid illness.

How To Make Tea Last Longer

Drinking tea is an excellent way to improve your overall health, but it’s essential to know how to store it properly. Brewed tea can last up to 2-5 days in the refrigerator, but if not refrigerated, it can only last up to 8 hours at room temperature due to bacterial growth. It can be unsafe and unhealthy to consume tea left at room temperature for longer than 8 hours.

The brewing method, tea type, and room temperature all affect how long the tea can last. The longer the brewed tea is left sitting at room temperature, the more likely it is to lose its taste and health benefits. Freshly brewed tea can still be consumed after 8 hours, but its taste and health benefits will not be the same as when drank freshly brewed. To avoid illness, it is important to properly store your tea and know when to discard it.

Cool Tea Down Quickly

If you want to make your tea last longer, it’s important to know how to cool it down quickly and control the temperature to prevent bacterial growth. Temperature plays a big role in the growth of bacteria in brewed tea, so it’s important to brew your tea at the appropriate temperature to help kill off any harmful bacteria.

To quickly cool down your tea, you can either submerge the cup in ice water or put it in the refrigerator. However, it’s important to note that if you’re cooling hot tea by submerging it in ice water, you should first let it cool to room temperature to avoid thermal shock.

When making iced tea, it’s important to control the temperature to prevent bacterial growth. If you’re brewing your tea with hot water, let it cool down before adding ice. Also, make sure to keep your iced tea refrigerated and avoid leaving it out at room temperature for an extended period. By following these tips, you can help avoid illness when drinking tea left out overnight.

Store In A Sealed Container

To make your tea last longer and avoid illness, it’s important to store it properly. Brewed tea should be stored in a tightly sealed container to prevent exposure to air. Tea bags can last 18-24 months in an airtight container, making it important to choose a storage container that can keep them fresh. Storing tea in a sealed container can also slow bacterial growth and prevent cross-contamination with other fridge items.

Glass mason jars are a popular vessel for storing tea, as the glass won’t interfere with the taste. It’s important to note that dust and dirt can affect the quality and storage life of tea bags, so it’s best to handle them with clean hands and store them in a clean, dry place. By following these tips, you can enjoy your tea for longer and avoid any potential illnesses.

Freeze Your Tea

If you want your tea to last longer and avoid the risk of illness from leaving it out overnight, freezing is a great option. Freezing tea inhibits bacterial growth and fermentation, allowing it to be stored for up to 6 months. One easy way to freeze tea is by pouring brewed tea into an ice cube tray and freezing it for up to 3 months.

To prevent freezer burn, it’s recommended to use a container with minimal air between the tea and the lid. Using frozen tea to make iced tea is a great way to avoid diluting the flavor. To freeze freshly brewed tea, ensure that it is placed in an airtight container or freezer bag and thawed overnight in the fridge or microwave before use. This method can help you avoid wasting leftover tea while also keeping it safe to consume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does tea go bad at room temperature?

Yes, tea can go bad at room temperature due to bacterial growth, which can change the flavor to bitter. Brewed tea, in particular, can go bad quickly when exposed to warm temperatures. Over time, tea can also go bad, affecting its taste and quality. Factors such as the type of tea, packaging, and storage conditions can affect how long it’s safe to drink.

To reduce the risk of bacterial growth, it’s recommended that brewed tea be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Additionally, brewed tea should not be left untouched indefinitely and should be consumed within a reasonable timeframe.

Can you drink tea that was left out overnight?

It is not recommended to drink tea that has been left out overnight, as it can cause bitterness, heart palpitations, and gastrointestinal damage. Plain brewed tea should not be left out for longer than 8 hours, while milk-added tea should not be left out for more than 2 hours. The safety of drinking tea left out overnight depends on the room temperature and how long the tea has been left out.

If you wish to save tea for the next day, it should be refrigerated to prevent bacterial growth. However, it is best to discard tea that has been left out at room temperature all night, as it will have lost most of its flavor.

How long does it take for tea to go bad?

Bacteria can grow quickly in tea and change its flavor in just a few hours. Room-temperature brewed tea is only good for 8 hours before bacteria growth makes it unsafe to drink. While tea doesn’t have an exact expiry date, its quality will decrease over time. Brewed tea left at room temperature should not be consumed after 10 hours for safety purposes. To extend the life of brewed tea, it should be refrigerated within an hour of brewing and leaves should be removed after two hours.

Why Does Brewed Tea Go Bad So Quickly?

While tea does not have an expiry date, brewed tea can go bad relatively quickly. The main issue is that bacteria and other microorganisms can easily grow in brewed tea, particularly when it is left at room temperature. Bacteria thrive in temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, which means that tea left out for more than 8 hours is at risk. Once bacteria develop, they can change the flavor and aroma of the tea, making it bitter and unpleasant to drink. Thus, it is best to consume brewed tea as soon as possible or refrigerate it to prevent bacterial growth.

Which lasts longer cold brew or hot brew tea?

Cold brew tea generally lasts longer than hot brew tea, as the process slows bacterial growth and fermentation. However, the shelf life of tea can vary depending on factors such as dryness, processing, oxidation, and roasting, with less fermented teas lasting up to a year and pu’erh tea leaves lasting decades. When determining if brewed tea has gone bad, it can depend on personal taste preferences or safety concerns. Freezing tea, whether liquid or solid, can also help prolong its freshness and shelf life. While cold brew tea may have a more subtle and smoother taste than hot tea, it takes longer to make, with brew times ranging from 5 to 20 hours depending on the herbs used.

Do tea bags go bad?

While tea bags don’t have an exact expiry date, they can lose their freshness faster than loose-leaf tea, resulting in a deteriorated quality over time. Bacteria growth is also a concern when storing tea, which can affect taste, texture, and appearance. If you’re brewing iced or sun tea, using old tea bags can result in a bland taste. To ensure freshness and quality, check the best-before date on the packaging of your tea bags.

Conclusion

Tea lovers beware, leaving tea out overnight can lead to the growth of bacteria and make you very ill. The tannins in tea can start breaking down if the tea is left out for too long, making it bitter and unpleasant to drink. To prevent this from happening, you can take some simple steps to make your tea last longer. Cool your tea down quickly, store it in a sealed container, or even freeze it. By taking these steps, you can enjoy a fresh and delicious cup of tea every time. Stay healthy and informed, and share this knowledge with other tea lovers you know.