Throwing out a perfectly brewed cup of tea because you forgot to take a sip may be a waste of time and money. This article will cover the question of how long tea can sit out before going bad naturally arises.
Key Takeaways
- Brewed tea can sit out for about 4-8 hours depending on the room temperature.
- Higher room temperature shortens the tea’s shelf life.
- When stored in an airtight container brewed tea can last up to 3 days in the fridge.
How Long Can Tea Sit Out?
Brewed tea without sugar or milk can sit at room temperature for about 4-8 hours. After that, it should be discarded since room temperature is ideal for bacterial growth.
If the temperature is higher than room temperature, the time limit should be even shorter.
In general, tea should not be left out uncovered for more than 4 hours.
Once sugar or milk is added to the tea, the storage time is reduced. This applies to sweetened iced tea as well.
It’s best to store your brewed tea after it has cooled in a clean, airtight container in the fridge.
Brewed tea can last for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. You shouldn’t store the tea in the fridge, sealed, for longer than 24 hours if you’ve added fruits or sweeteners.
If you freeze it, it can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
If you’re unsure for how long your tea was left on the counter, discard it and brew a fresh one.
Here’s an example of how green tea changes after being left at room temperature for 24 hours:
As the above example shows, it is best to consume green tea while it is still hot. If you leave it at room temperature for too long, it will change color, appearance, and taste. If you leave it for more than 4 hours, discard it.
Since these photos are of green tea, here is a detailed explanation of how to store loose-leaf green tea properly to protect its freshness.
Why Does Brewed Tea Go Bad So Quickly?
Brewed tea can go bad due to the possibility of bacteria and other microorganisms growing if left at room temperature for too long.
Several factors speed this process, including:
1. Temperature
Bacteria tend to grow more quickly at warm temperatures. According to the USDA, bacteria grow quickly at temperatures ranging from 40 °F to 140 °F (4 °C to 60 °C), doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes.
In general, the higher the temperature, the easier it is for microorganisms to grow, up to a point. Both extremely high and extremely low temperatures block the enzymatic reactions that bacteria rely on to survive.
2. Oxygen availability
Some types of bacteria need oxygen for growth. Therefore, keeping brewed tea at room temperature for a longer period of time is more susceptible to bacterial growth than keeping it in an airtight container in the fridge.
3. Time
Over time—more than 8 hours or even less than 4 hours at a temperature higher than room temperature—the quality of brewed tea deteriorates.
The longer the tea sits out, the more time bacteria and other microorganisms have to multiply and produce compounds that can affect the flavor, odor, and safety of the tea.
How Do I Know If Brewed Tea Is Bad?
To determine if your brewed tea has gone bad after sitting at room temperature for an extended period of time, look for the following signs:
- Smell: If the tea does not smell the same as when it was first brewed and has a sour or stale, moldy smell, it is spoiled.
- Mold: If you notice mold on the surface of the tea, discard it immediately.
- Texture: Murky or slimy texture might also indicate spoilage.
- Time: Tea left sitting out at room temperature for more than 8 hours should be discarded, even if there is no sign of spoilage, since it may be contaminated with bacteria.
- Taste: If the tea tastes sour or has an unusual flavor, it may have gone bad.
If you notice any of these signs, discard your brewed tea and make a fresh one. Don’t let it sit for long since it may go bad too.
How to Keep Brewed Tea Fresher for Longer
To keep brewed tea fresher for longer, store it in the fridge. It should be kept in a clean, airtight container. Tea typically lasts 3–5 days if you keep it in the fridge. Additionally, you can freeze your tea. This will keep it fresher for far longer than simple refrigeration.
Storing Brewed Tea in the Fridge
Here are some helpful tips for storing brewed tea in the fridge:
- Let the tea cool to room temperature: Do not put hot tea in the fridge. To avoid cloudy tea, allow the tea to cool to room temperature before storing it. Don’t let the tea sit at room temperature for more than an hour.
- Use an airtight container: If you let your tea sit in the fridge in a cup uncovered, it will easily absorb the smell from the food in the fridge. Using an airtight container will also keep air and moisture out.
- Do not add sugar or fruits: Adding sugar or fruit may cause the tea to ferment more quickly, so you shouldn’t store it in the fridge for more than 24 hours.
- Label the container: To keep track of the freshness of the tea, write down the date you brewed it and the type of tea placed in the container.
Before consuming, always check the tea for signs of spoilage, such as strange smells, unusual flavors, and changes in color and texture.
Even when kept in the fridge, brewed tea can go bad quickly if not properly stored. Check the above-mentioned signs again to see if your tea has gone bad.
Freezing-Brewed Tea
Brewed tea can theoretically be frozen for up to 6 months, although it is best not to keep it for longer than 3 months.
Even if the tea is frozen, always check it for signs of spoilage.
Pouring brewed tea into an ice cube tray and freezing it is the simplest way to freeze it.
Remember to cool the tea before putting it in the freezer.
When the tea is frozen, put it in a freezer-safe bag to keep air and moisture out and prevent spoilage. Label the bag with the type of tea and the date brewed so you know when to use it.
Tea cubes can be kept in the freezer for up to three months.
You can use a tea ice cube to chill down a cup of hot tea without diluting the flavor; you can also include ice tea cubes in cocktails, smoothies, and other drinks.
Reheating Tea
Reheating brewed tea after it has been cooled is not recommended since the flavor and beneficial components may be damaged by high heat. Enjoy the tea from the fridge cold, and if you want a hot cup, make a fresh one.
You may reheat tea that has been sitting out for 15 to 30 minutes if you really want to. Don’t bring the tea to a boil; simply heat it to the right temperature or warm it with some fresh hot water.
In any case, reheating tea is not recommended, and it is always better to make a fresh hot cup of tea rather than reheat already brewed tea.
Tea that’s been sitting out at room temperature for a longer period, let’s say overnight or for more than 4–8 hours, is not recommended for reheating. This tea should be discarded.
Can you drink tea after 8 hours?
If the tea is sitting out at room temperature for more than 8 hours, it should be discarded. It is not drinkable due to the possibility of bacterial growth.
I left my cup of tea out overnight. Is it still good?
A cup of tea left unrefrigerated overnight should be discarded. It’s not safe for drinking.
Hot vs. cold-brewed tea: Which lasts longer?
Cold-brewed tea lasts longer than hot-brewed tea. Hot-brewed tea is more susceptible to bacteria and other microbes than cold-brewed tea.
Can I leave tea out overnight?
No, it’s not recommended to leave tea out overnight. To preserve brewed tea overnight, place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge.
How long can tea sit out with milk?
If you’ve added milk to your tea, it will only last around 2 hours if not refrigerated. Consume it within one hour to reduce the possibility of spoilage. Milk tea that has been left unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours should be discarded due to the possibility of bacterial growth.
The Takeaway
In conclusion, the length of time that tea can sit out depends on room temperature, the type of tea, and the presence of milk, sugar, or other sweeteners. It’s always best to consume your tea right after you freshly brew it.
If you forgot your tea on the counter, don’t consume it if it was left for more than 4 hours. Even before that, check its aroma, color, and general appearance for signs of spoilage. To ensure that your tea stays fresh and safe to drink, it’s best to store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Finally, if you’re concerned about the quality of the tea on the counter that you forgot to drink, it is always best to err on the side of caution and throw it out if you are unsure.
