Sweet tea is a delicious beverage that can be enjoyed in the summer weather. Many people ask, does sweet tea go bad if you do not store it properly? In this article we will explore how long you can keep sweet tea for.
Table of Contents
- Can You Drink Expired Sweet Tea?
- How Long Can Sweet Tea Last?
- How Do You Know If Sweet Tea Is Expired?
- How Long Does Sweet Tea Last In The Fridge
- When Does Sweet Tea Go Bad
- How Long Does It Take For Sweet Tea To Go Bad Unopened
- Why Does Sweet Tea Go Bad
- Does Sweet Tea Go Bad If Not Refrigerated
- FAQs
- Store Sweet Tea In The Fridge
Can You Drink Expired Sweet Tea?
If you do decide to drink your unopened sweet tea after it has passed its expiration date, you could find that the taste of the tea will change. Therefore, drinking expired sweet tea will not be enjoyable.
We would not recommend drinking expired tea as it could cause you stomach problems.
How Long Can Sweet Tea Last?
If you store your sweet tea in the fridge it can last up to 8 hours.
If you have stored your sweet tea in the fridge, correctly in an airtight container, it can last for up to 5 days. But you will need to check for signs that your tea has not turned bad daily.
You can also freeze your sweet tea for up to 6 months.
How Do You Know If Sweet Tea Is Expired?
If your sweet tea is starting to expire and turn bad, there are some clear signs that will show quickly.
Here are a list of things to look out for to see if your sweet tea is expiring:
- “Off” or pungent smell
- Change of smell
- Mold growth
- Change of color
- No flavor
- Change in texture (for example, lumpiness)
How Long Does Sweet Tea Last In The Fridge
Does sweet tea go bad in the fridge? No, sweet tea can actually last longer if you store it in the fridge, especially if it has been opened.
The maximum amount of time your sweet tea should be kept in the fridge is 8 hours. After 8 hours, your sweet tea will start to spoil.
When Does Sweet Tea Go Bad
If your sweet tea has remained unopened and you have left it out at room temperature after returning from the shops, then it will be okay. No bacteria should have started to grow yet.
On average, if you have left your sweet tea out at room temperature and it has remained unopened and in its original packaging, then it can last for up to 24 months. The quality of your sweet tea will start to change between 18 months and 24 months if it is left at room temperature. It will still be safe to drink if it has been left unopened.
How long does it take for sweet tea to go bad? If your tea has been opened you will have a limited amount of time before it starts to go bad. This is very different to if your sweet tea has remained unopened.
How Long Does It Take For Sweet Tea To Go Bad Unopened
If your sweet tea has remained unopened and briefly left at room temperature, it will be okay still. On average, if your sweet tea at room temperature has remained unopened in its original packaging, then it can last for up to 24 months. But remember that the quality of your sweet tea will start to change between 18 months and 24 months at room temperature. It will still be safe to drink if it has been left unopened, though.
If your sweet tea has been opened, it will start to turn bad around 8 hours of being left on the counter at room temperature or uncovered. If you have stored your sweet tea in the fridge it can last for up to 24 hours as long as it is in an airtight container and does not include sugar or extra fruits.
Why Does Sweet Tea Go Bad
The amount of sugar that is in sweet tea is the reason that it can go bad faster than other teas or other cold beverages.
If you have left out your sweet tea for too long at room temperature, bacteria can start to grow rapidly and make the sweet tea taste sour.
Does Sweet Tea Go Bad If Not Refrigerated
Does sweet tea go bad if left out?
It is not that common to store sweet tea at room temperature. It’s usually a cold beverage and tastes best with ice. Or piping hot, if you prefer hot sweet tea.
If you have accidentally left your sweet tea out at room temperature overnight it may not be the worst thing if you are able to store your sweet tea in the fridge before a certain time frame. If you are able to store your sweet tea within 8 hours of leaving at room temperature, you may not have to chuck your sweet tea away.
But if you leave your sweet tea at room temperature for longer than 8 hours, nasty bacteria may have begun to grow. This bacteria could cause you to feel unwell if you drink it.
Your sweet tea is more likely to start to grow this nasty bacteria if you live in a hotter climate and your room temperature is higher.
FAQs
Can You Get Sick From Sweet Tea?
If your tea tastes sour and shows signs of expiring then you could become sick from consuming it. You are most likely going to become sick if you have drunk sweet tea that has started to grow mold. The bacteria that will grow is called coliform bacteria which can cause you to experience symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Why Does My Sweet Tea Get Cloudy?
If your sweet tea has turned cloudy, this is normally just caused by the caffeine and tannins which are bonding with each other, especially when the tea is stored in the fridge. If your sweet tea becomes cloudy, this is nothing to worry about.
Why Is My Sweet Tea Slimy?
If your sweet tea has turned slimy this is most likely nothing to worry about but it could be a sign that your sweet tea is starting to turn bad. If your sweet tea starts to turn very slimy, there will be bacteria growing and forming and we would advise that you do not drink the sweet tea. The sweet tea may even become sour in taste and may not be enjoyable to drink.
Store Sweet Tea In The Fridge
It is always best to store your unopened or opened sweet tea in the fridge. It can last longer and keep nasty bacteria from growing rapidly.
We would not advise you to drink any sweet tea that has expired.
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