Does brewed tea go bad?

Although brewed tea is a tasty and beneficial beverage, how long can you store it before it goes wrong? Various elements, such as the type of tea used and storage methods, can impact brew tea’s shelf life. When kept in the refrigerator, freshly brewed tea can remain flavorful for up to five days. After that, it will start to taste sour and lose flavor. 

Consider freezing your freshly brewed tea in ice cube trays to prolong its freshness. You may get a head start on preparation by brewing the tea in advance if you’re planning to make a pitcher of iced tea to enjoy on a hot summer day. There are things you can do to increase its lifespan, and there are circumstances that can drastically reduce those durations. Even if your tea lasts, it probably will change in some way. 

How long to store brewed tea

It is generally recommended not to keep brewed tea in the refrigerator for more than 48 hours. This is because brewed tea can become contaminated with bacteria or other microorganisms if stored at room temperature for too long. It is also important to store tea in an airtight container, so it does not absorb unpleasant odors or aromas from the refrigerator.

The following are some suggestions for tea storage:

Store brewed tea in a clean, airtight container

In the refrigerator, freshly brewed tea should be in an airtight container. The ideal containers are glass or ceramic, though plastic may also work. Avoid using airtight containers because they can hasten the deterioration of the tea. To know when to utilize the tea, mark the container with the date you brewed it. Drinking iced tea within three days of brewing is a decent rule of thumb, advises Mochas & Javas, a coffee business in New York.

Do not leave brewed tea at room temperature.

Brew tea will degrade more quickly if left out at room temperature. Keep your tea in the refrigerator if you won’t be drinking it right away. It’s best to avoid leaving brewed tea out for more than a few hours because room temperature is the perfect environment for bacterial growth. If you unintentionally leave your tea out, as long as it has been less than four hours, you can still drink it. Just make sure to put it in the refrigerator as soon as possible. Tea brewed and left out for longer than four hours should be discarded. And this is due to the possibility of bacterial growth and food poisoning.

Don’t warm up brewed tea again

Because it is healthy, brewed tea is popular among many individuals. It’s ideal to avoid reheating brewed tea once it’s been chilled. And this is because warming could result in the tea losing minerals and flavor. Make a fresh batch of tea if you want to drink it hot. Consider freezing brewed tea in ice cube trays for a quick and convenient method to enjoy iced tea. In this manner, you can make fresh iced tea whenever you want without repeatedly doing so. Knowing how to keep food properly to ensure everything stays tasty and fresh.

Freeze brewed tea in ice cube trays

Consider freezing your freshly brewed tea in ice cube trays to prolong its freshness. In this manner, you can make fresh iced tea whenever you want without repeatedly doing so. Pour freshly brewed tea into an ice cube tray, then put the tray in the freezer to freeze the tea. After freezing the tea, move it to a freezer-safe bag or container. To determine when to utilize the tea, carefully mark the bag or container with the date you brewed it. The shelf life of frozen tea cubes is three months.

How long to keep brewed tea in the refrigerator

In the refrigerator, brewed tea will keep for 2 to 5 days. Put the brewed tea in an airtight container. It is insufficient to cover a container with plastic wrap. Additionally, an airtight container will preserve the taste and prevent the tea from coming into contact with other stronger-flavored things in your fridge, like onions.

Ingredients that hasten the deterioration of brewed tea

• Avoid adding sugar while storing brewed tea in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to drink the tea, only add it.

What is the shelf life of brewed tea at room temperature?

Since brewed tea often tastes best when blistering hot or ice cold, most people won’t keep it at room temperature. However, if you unintentionally left a pot of freshly brewed tea out overnight, you might be concerned about whether it’s still safe to drink or whether the temperature has changed the tea’s flavor.

Ensure to consume the tea within eight hours if you must keep it out at room temperature. If you wait much longer, bacteria can start to multiply. If you reside in a hotter climate, this is especially true. After several hours at room temperature, it will begin to develop germs, in addition to losing a lot of its health benefits.

Can you freeze brewed tea?

Yes! This decision may seem obvious to some people. However, some people might need to know that tea freezes nicely. In your freezer, brewed tea will keep well for up to six months. Place any quantity you will not consume within three to five days in the freezer if you want to make a few pots of your favorite beverage and preserve some later.

Health benefits of cold-brewed tea

Cold-brewed tea has a lot of health advantages in addition to its wonderful flavor. So, if you need more motivation to prepare this tasty beverage, here it is.

Cold-brewed tea is typically preferred when the weather is hot, and you need to stay hydrated. If drinking plain water isn’t cutting it for you, try a cup of iced tea for a cool beverage you can sip all day.

Cold-brewed tea is abundant in antioxidants and essential minerals like manganese, just like hot-brewed tea. Many people reach for sugary beverages like soda when it’s hot outside. Although they might help you hydrate a little, the excess sugar could be better. Cold-brewed tea can provide a pleasant, energizing beverage that frequently has no sugar at all. You may control how much sugar to add if you want it to be sweeter.

Conclusion

Perhaps you accidentally brewed more hot tea than you wanted, or you’re brewing a large quantity of iced tea to savor over a few days. You now know how long to keep brewed at room temperature, in the fridge and the freezer, and how long iced tea may be held there without spoiling. This information will also enable you to make tea the right way in the future. If you like your plain brewed tea to survive longer, store it in the refrigerator where, as long as you keep it in an airtight container, it can stay safe to consume for up to five days. Iced tea should also be prepared and stored in an airtight container. Additionally, avoid adding sugar because it can lead to fermentation, at least until you’re ready to serve.