can iced tea go bad?
Like many other edible items and beverages, iced tea can also go bad after some time. It is advised to not store iced tea for more than eight hours – that too in a refrigerator. This is because after this, it will start to deteriorate in terms of taste, smell, and quality, and might not be as safe for consumption.
It is never a good idea to drink a tea that has gone bad, not only that, as mentioned earlier, expired tea has a foul taste and smell, which is more than likely going to keep anyone from drinking it. If tea has gone bad, then this will be evident by smell or mould growing on the surface of the tea, therefore, most likely, you are not going to even be drinking it. As you can see, if your expired iced tea has been properly stored in a cool, dark area, and does not appear to have changed color or smelled strange, then it is not going to make you sick if you brew it.
Now, once again, these three signs appear only if your iced tea has been left out for an extended period of time, and as mentioned, your iced tea will get spoiled much faster if not refrigerated. If you make your iced tea sugar free, it will last three to six days, the same time it would with normal tea. If you are planning on keeping your tea longer, be sure to brew at a suitable temperature and time. If you brewed more tea than you could consume over a five-day period, you can store it safely in your freezer for a period of six to eight months.
Remember, if you wish your regular-brewed tea to last longer, keep it in the refrigerator, where it can stay safely brewed for up to five days, provided that it is stored in an airtight container. If you stored your brewed tea in the refrigerator, properly, in an airtight container, then your brewed tea could stay fresh for up to 5 days. If you would like your iced tea to last more than one day in the refrigerator, be sure to store it in an airtight container rather than in a glass pitcher. While keeping your iced tea in the refrigerator is recommended for getting the best flavor, you can still enjoy this tea at room temperature.
| Storage | Temperature | Shelf Life |
| Kitchen counter | 60-68°F | 8 hours |
| In the refrigerator | 32-34°F | 5 days |
| Freezer | 0°F | 6-8 months |
If you are as big a fan of Iced Tea as we are, you must know it is always best served chilled directly from the refrigerator, however, having said that, you can still enjoy iced tea at room temperature. Most people would not keep their brewed tea at room temperature, since it generally tastes better when piping hot or chilled. It is a good idea to consume cooled or frozen tea within one to two days of placing it in your refrigerator. Unless you are planning on drinking your prepared tea within the next hour or two of its preparation, it should be placed in the refrigerator.
If you accidentally left your freshly brewed pot of tea outside overnight, you might be wondering whether it is still safe to drink, or whether temperature has affected its flavour. If you are still not sure, make a cup of tea and see if it tastes fine, or has passed the best quality. From strictly a flavor standpoint, if you are drinking a hot cup of tea, I would recommend drinking it before it gets cold to maximize the flavor. As long as you are drinking your tea within twelve hours of it being made, you are not likely to get ill.
If you ever do let the tea sit at room temperature, be sure to drink within an eight-hour time frame. If you make it warm, it will still be good, but you will have almost a whole days worth of longevity using the right storing conditions. Bringing a sugary tea down from this point down to a safe level of refrigeration leaves it at unsafe temperatures longer. Getting your sweet tea down quickly to comfortable, safe temperatures can be accomplished by placing it into your fridge right after you have made it.
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By that, I mean that the tea can be reasonably safe up to 72 hours, provided that it is kept cold and covered, and that there is no added sugar or fruit. No sugar or fruits should be added during the infusion process, or afterwards, as it will cause the tea to ferment more quickly. If you are making a large batch of tea for a party, and plan on serving it a couple hours after the steep, fruits and sugar are not really an issue. If you really add fruits and/or sugar, realize you do not want to store this tea more than 24 hours, sealed, in your refrigerator.
If you have a sealed container for your tea leaves (like a vacuum sealed bag), refrigerating or freezing does not ruin the leaves. Avoid refrigeration or freezing loose tea leaves, because the damp environment will rapidly deteriorate the leaves. An airtight container also keeps flavors locked inside, preventing brewed tea from being exposed to other, more aromatic foods like onions in the refrigerator. If you are drinking iced tea outside in your backyard, and you do not want to constantly return to your refrigerator to re-fill, then you should consider getting a leakproof container that will keep your iced tea colder for longer.
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Brewing iced tea to the right temperature in a fully cleaned urn, and limiting time held at room temperature prior to serving, will minimize the theoretical risk of bacteria contamination. Some health recommendations say iced tea generally should not be kept more than 24 hours, but if brewed, chilled, and handled correctly, it should be fine to last several days. It does not matter what type of tea is your favourite, black and green teas are both safe to drink for up to 8 hours after being brewed. Now, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), iced teas can last for up to 8 hours before they begin to spoil. After that time, sugars in tea will begin to break down, giving it a mild smell and bitter taste.
If your sugared tea has turned cloudy, it is usually simply caused by caffeine and tannins binding with one another, particularly if you are keeping your tea cold. If you leave your tea uncovered on the counter from morning until afternoon, it is basically unusable, especially if it is a hot summers day.
What happens if you drink old iced tea?
It is recommended that you store your brand new bottle of iced tea for as long as possible for maximum quality – after that, the colour or taste of the unopened bottle may change, but in most cases, it will still be safe for consumption if you store it properly and make sure that the bottle is not damaged.
How can you tell if opened bottled iced tea is bad or spoiled?
When purchasing bottled iced tea, it is best to examine and smell the product. If the product develops an off odour, taste, or appearance in the process of packaging, it should be discarded as soon as possible. In case of leaking, rusting, bulging, or severely dented cans or bottles, throw them away.
Does iced tea go bad if not refrigerated?
You should avoid iced tea that has been left out of the refrigerator for longer than 8 hours, according to a memo from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Bacterial Contamination of Iced Tea. This is because bacterial development causes the iced tea’s sugar to ferment over time.