Does tea go bad?

[austinjen]

Does tea go bad?

by austinjen » Feb 11th, '08, 16:31

once you make oolong (or any kind, really) does it go bad?

does it lose "good stuff" if you let it get cold or even put it in the fridge to drink another day?

it hot tea somehow better?

thanks!
jen

[olivierco]

by olivierco » Feb 11th, '08, 17:04

Tea has to be drunken just after brewing (with the exception of iced tea, of course).

If you leave some tea some hours, it will turn dark, even for green tea.

[austinjen]

by austinjen » Feb 11th, '08, 17:29

well what determines what is iced tea or not?

i have been making green oolong tea, 2 quarts at a time, but not drink it all at once...

i have made it, removed the leaves and then put it in the fridge... and it seems to taste fine and not change colors...

are you saying that it loses its nutrition as it cools?

[Sam.]

by Sam. » Feb 11th, '08, 18:19

I did read somewhere (don't recall where) that the nutritonal properties of brewed tea do degrade some as time passes, but I don't know how drastically. At any rate, it's not like the tea will ever be bad for you, and it should still taste good. If you find it easier to brew a big batch and keep it in the fridge or a while after, go for it.

[Chip]

by Chip » Feb 11th, '08, 21:00

Cold temps=Slowed oxidation...tea left out for a few hours will quickly darken and degrade. Cold tea may last for days depending on the temperature.

Refrigeration does appear to slow oxidation of brewed tea.

Does this also preserve the benificial properties of tea, logic would say yes. Perhaps someone is more qualified to answer that.

Where is Scruff, he knows this stuff more than anyone here.

[scruffmcgruff]

by scruffmcgruff » Feb 12th, '08, 00:07

I'm no expert, but that sounds right to me.

[tenuki]

by tenuki » Feb 12th, '08, 00:12

oolongs can make excellent ice teas (especially high quality green ones). Try brewing a pitcher in the fridge for 8 hours and see if it improves on what you are doing.

[austinjen]

by austinjen » Feb 12th, '08, 03:15

awesomeness! thanks guys!

[tseirPsaduJ]

by tseirPsaduJ » Feb 12th, '08, 12:28

I read somewhere that all of the antioxidants are gone after two days in the fridge. I generally drink mine before that anyway.

[augie]

by augie » Feb 12th, '08, 13:23

I read somewhere that all of the antioxidants are gone after two days in the fridge. I generally drink mine before that anyway.

2 days in the fridge? Whew! I was informed by my husband that I am the mold mistress because I have the ability to grow red mold in the fridge. I have come into work on monday and found an unrinsed teacup with little white circles in the bottom. Ever since that day I drink it or ice it and drink it immediately. Toss it if it's been sittin'.

[EvenOdd]

by EvenOdd » Feb 23rd, '08, 03:25

Does tea go bad?

Only when provoked.

[hop_goblin]

Tea Can Go Bad

by hop_goblin » Feb 23rd, '08, 10:55

Studies show that tea will go bad if it does not have a proper nurturing enviroment. They are more apt to join tea gangs and become deviants.

Kidding but for the most part, the question was answered completely. LOL

[Chip]

by Chip » Feb 23rd, '08, 23:44

You can tell if teas have gone bad by looking for pairs of sneakers tied together and hanging from utility wires. To be safe, avoid drinking any tea in that neighborhood.

[Pentox]

by Pentox » Feb 24th, '08, 00:17

Your tea might be bad if...

... if you have a bag of green that you swear looks like a puerh cake.
... if you think your silver needle should be renamed silver mushroom
... if your tea has more of a life than you do.
... if you wonder if your matcha is some special form of ceremonial black tea.

[Wesli]

by Wesli » Feb 24th, '08, 02:48

Your tea might have gone bad if...

-You start finding cigarette butts in the bushes
-You find brown bottles in the recycling with their labels taken off
-Young women come to the door asking to taste it