After how long is boiled milk tea consumable?

After how long is boiled milk tea consumable? - Woman in Black Tank Top Eating Oatmeal

I made tea with milk in the morning and had it in the evening. Is it is safe? After how much time, does it become unconsumable?



Best Answer

Probably not. Perishable food and drinks are considered unsafe after being in the danger zone (40°F - 140°F, 5°C - 60°C) for more than 4 hours (EDIT: when I was a cook in Massachusetts, four hours was the cut off. Apparently the USDA recommends two hours). And note: that's a cumulative four hours over the course of the foodstuff's lifetime, not four hours in a row. If the milk sits on the counter for an hour, then it's boiled and put into tea which then sits out for three hours, it's considered unsafe.

Leaving food out too long at room temperature can cause bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli *O157:H7*, and Campylobacter) to grow to dangerous levels that can cause illness. Bacteria grow most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. This range of temperatures is often called the "Danger Zone."

Keep Food Out of the "Danger Zone"

Never leave food out of refrigeration over 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90 °F, food should not be left out more than 1 hour. Keep hot food hot — at or above 140 °F. Place cooked food in chafing dishes, preheated steam tables, warming trays, and/or slow cookers. Keep cold food cold — at or below 40 °F. Place food in containers on ice.

Also crucial to remember when food safety is concerned: FAT TOM. FAT TOM is a mnemonic device which stands for:

  • Food
  • Acidity
  • Time
  • Temperature
  • Oxygen
  • Moisture

All of those things are a factor in the growth of bacteria. With room-temperature milky tea that's been sitting out all day, we've got the full gamut:

  1. Nutrients from the milk (food)
  2. If it's milky tea, it you probably didn't put lemon in it, because let's face it, that'd be gross unless you have a thing for curdled milk.
  3. Time - you said it's been there since this morning
  4. Temperature - at room temperature
  5. Oxygen - I doubt this is space tea or that it was stored in a vacuum.
  6. Moisture - it's a cup of infused water and milk. Doesn't get much more moist than that.

Remember: When in doubt, throw it out.




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After how long is boiled milk tea consumable? - Top view of crop unrecognizable lady in white water in bathtub with fresh colorful flower petals with wooden tray with cup of tea with lemon and blueberries while reading book
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How long does homemade milk tea last?

If your bubble tea is fresh, it can be kept in the refrigerator for about 24 hours. Keep in mind that the bubble tea will be the best when you consume it fresh. If you have to store bubble tea in the fridge, try to consume it before it has been in the fridge for the full 24 hours.

How long can we keep milk tea?

The tea will last for about 1\u20132 days in the fridge, but the pearls will only keep its consistency for around 3\u20136 hours. However, if you do not add pearls into your tea and like to add jellies, popping boba, or fruit bits instead, the tea should be good for about 2\u20133 days.

How long can boiled milk sit out?

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, refrigerated foods, including milk, should never be out of the fridge at room temperature for longer than two hours.

How long can boiled milk stay in the fridge?

You can keep it for 5 days, if the milk is directly took from the cow. If you are using packet milk it would last only for 3-4 days maximum. If the water used to boil the milk is of low quality, then it won't last for more than 2-3 days.



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