Sweet tea is a drink that is consumed all over the world. It was originally created in the United States in the southern states of North America.
It is made by adding sugar or syrup to an iced tea that has been brewed with black tea leaves.
There are many different types of sweet tea, which can be differentiated by their ingredients, preparation, and taste. Some popular examples are cold sweet iced tea, southern sweet iced tea, and Thai sweet iced tea.
Does Sweet Tea Go Bad?
Sweet tea is usually made with sugar and is considered to be a type of iced tea. Just like other drinks, sweet tea does go bad. The drink can spoil because of contamination or poor handling. It can make you sick if the bacteria in the sweet tea gets into your system too much.
Below are some of the reasons why sweet tea may go bad:
- Sweet tea will go bad in the refrigerator if it is not stored in an airtight container
- Sweet tea can spoil because of its high sugar content
- Sweet tea will spoil when it is left out at room temperature for a long period of time
How Long Does Sweet Tea Last?
Sweet tea is a beverage that lasts about three days before the sugar starts to ferment and sour.
Store it in the fridge for up to three days.
If you need to keep them longer, store them in the freezer for up to six months.
How to Store Sweet Tea
Sweet tea is one of the most popular drinks in the south. It is prepared by boiling tea leaves in water, adding sugar, and cooling it. To keep this drink tasty, it should be stored properly.
There are many methods for storing sweet tea that is used because different people have different preferences on how to store their sweet tea.
One way to store it is to store it in a mason jar with a lid that has been sterilized with boiling water beforehand.
Another way to store this drink is to freeze it into ice cubes and then store them in an air-tight container.
No matter which method you choose, there are some precautions taken so that the sweet tea can be preserved for a longer time period.
How to Tell If Sweet Tea Is Bad?
Sweet tea can spoil, just like any other food. It may not be noticeable at first. However, once the flavor changes or the taste becomes unfamiliar it is likely that your sweet tea has gone bad.
Check on these signs to see if it’s time to throw out your sweet tea.
Check the smell – If it smells sour or vinegary then you should not drink it.
Check the color – If the color is different than normal then that could be a sign that it has gone bad.
Check the taste – If you notice an unusual taste, like if there are strange textures in your drink, this may not be safe to drink anymore either. The sweetness is not as strong as it was originally
Another thing to look for and a sure sign that sweet has gone bad is mold. Look for mold on and around the lid of the container.
How To Keep Sweet Tea Fresh Longer
Here are some tips on how to make sure your sweet tea stays fresh for as long as possible.
– Keep it in a container with an airtight lid that is made of plastic, metal, or glass.
– Try not to leave it out for more than three hours because then it can go bad and spoil quicker.
– Make sure the tea is refrigerated if you want to keep it for more than five days.
– If you want to store the sweet tea in the refrigerator, pour off any liquid that has collected at the bottom of the jar before storing it so that mold doesn’t grow inside.
Related Questions
Can expired sweet tea make you sick?
Yes, expired sweet tea can make you sick. Sweet tea that is not properly stored can become moldy and develop bacteria. The more time passes, the more likely it is for the tea to spoil.
Can bacteria grow in sweet tea?
Yes, certain species of bacteria can grow in sweet tea. This is due to the fact that sugar is acidic. The amino acids present in tea are fermented by bacteria in the presence of oxygen and sugars.
This process produces lactic acid which is found naturally in many foods which are acidic or fermented.
The type of bacteria that can grow in sweet tea is called Lactobacillus Plantarum. It converts sugars into lactic acid, which produces carbon dioxide gas bubbles.