For many tea lovers, brewing a cup of tea is an enjoyable and relaxing experience. But what happens if you brew too much and can’t finish it all in one sitting? How long does brewed tea last at room temperature?
If stored properly, most types of brewed tea can last for up to 4-6 hours at room temperature before it starts to lose its flavor. You will still be able to drink it, but the taste and aroma may be noticeably less intense than when it was first brewed.
Other types of teas like green, jasmine, chai, or white teas may not last quite as long as others due to their delicate nature. If you’re not sure how long a particular type of tea will stay fresh, it’s best to err on the side of caution and drink it within 4-5 hours after brewing.
One simple way to extend the life of brewed cup of tea is to store it in an airtight cup or a glass jar and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to drink it. This will help prevent your tea from losing its flavour or becoming stale over time.
Tips for Storing Teabags
How you store your teabags also has an impact on how long they last and how they taste in the long term.
Some tips for prolonging the shelf life of your teabags include:
- Keep your teabags in a cool, dry place that is away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
- Consider storing your teabags in an opaque, airtight container instead of a clear one.
- Keep your teabags in a cupboard or pantry, but away from other foods (like garlic & onions), that can attract moisture or pests.
- Avoid using teabags that have been sitting in the open on your kitchen counter for a long time. Older teabags may not taste as fresh or flavorful as when they were first brewed.
- If you have a foil-lined Ziploc bag, you can also store your teabags in this bag to help keep them fresher for longer.
How Long Does Brewed Tea Last Unrefrigerated?
If you plan on drinking your tea over multiple days, then you should consider refrigerating it instead.
Brewed tea typically lasts about 8 hours unrefrigerated. This timeline can vary depending on the type of tea and the conditions under which it was stored. For example, green and black teas contain caffeine, which is a natural preservative that helps keep them fresh longer. On the other hand, herbal teas do not contain caffeine and tend to spoil more quickly than regular teas.
The taste and aroma may also begin to deteriorate if left unattended.
Refrigeration will allow brewed tea to stay fresh for longer periods of time – of up to 7 days. The key thing to remember is that when you take your cold cup of tea out of the refrigerator, you should drink it shortly after to prevent it from becoming too watery or bitter.
How Long Does Green Tea Last After It’s Brewed?
Green tea is one of the most popular beverages around due in part to its health benefits and delicious taste. But like any other perishable item, there comes a point where green tea goes bad and needs to be thrown out.
Once your brewed green tea is cooled down, it can be kept for up to five days in the refrigerator. To ensure optimal freshness and taste, you should store your brewed green tea in an airtight cup with a lid. This will help keep out moisture and other contaminants while preserving the flavor of your tea.
If you plan on drinking your green tea within one day, then it can be left at room temperature. Just make sure you remove the tea bag once its brewed, as the taste of your tea will get more bitter over time.
So if you want to enjoy the full flavor and benefits of green tea, it’s important to store and consume your brewed tea within a reasonable timeframe.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the key to extending the life of brewed green tea is proper storage and care.
Brewed tea can be enjoyed hot or cold depending on the season and occasion. It is important to remember that the different types of brewed teas have different shelf lives and best practices for storing them.
Irrespective of whether you plan on keeping your tea in the refrigerator or at room temperature, taking care to prevent it from exposure to air, moisture, heat, and contaminants will help ensure that it stays fresh and flavorful for as long as possible.
If you plan on keeping your brewed tea for multiple days, then you should definitely refrigerate it to keep it fresh and tasty for as long as possible.
