Do you have any leftover tea?
Is it expired?
Or do you simply not know what to do with it all? If so, then this blog post is for you.
In today’s blog post, we will be discussing quick tips on how to use up your leftover tea.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Put your tea in ice cube trays and add them to a pitcher of iced tea
Putting your leftover tea in our ice cube trays is a quick and easy solution to upcycling your less than tasty tea leaves.
To do this, first, take out the number of tea leaves you want to use.
Then, put them into an ice cube tray.
You can then cover the leaves with some sort of liquid (water or milk) before putting them in the freezer.
Once you have frozen your tea cubes, add them to a pitcher of iced tea or some other beverage.
If you don’t want to use ice cubes, maybe try putting your leftover leaves into a mesh strainer and adding it to your next smoothie.
Use it as compost
As we know, composting is a great way to fertilize your garden.
And if you have a green thumb, why not use some of your old tea leaves to help out with the process?
If you don’t have a garden or yard, consider asking around for a friend or neighbor who might want your leftover tea leaves.
Use it as the base for iced coffee
If you’re ready to try something sweet, then this idea may interest you.
You can use your leftover tea leaves as the base for iced coffee.
And don’t worry, it won’t taste like you brewed up some of your favorite black blends.
First, grind your leftover tea leaves into a fine powder.
Then, place them in a cheesecloth or tea strainer of some sort.
Add boiling water to the leaves and stir well.
Pour your hot tea over ice for a delicious iced coffee treat.
Add milk, sugar, and vanilla extract to make chai latte
Making chai latte from your leftover tea by mixing it with milk, vanilla extract, and sugar is an easy way to upcycle your less than perfect tea leaves.
To do this, first put your leftover tea leaves into a cheesecloth.
Then, add some boiling water to the leaves and stir well.
Next, add milk, vanilla extract, and sugar to a saucepan and heat it on the stove over medium heat.
Pour your mixture over ice before serving with any sort of pastry or doughnut for an afternoon snack.
Mix with lemonade or water for a refreshing summer drink
Mixing your leftover tea with lemonade or water is a fun and tasty way to drink up your old tea leaves.
To do this, simply follow the instructions from tip number one on how to make ice cubes from your leftover tea leaves.
Add lemonade or water to an ice cube tray, then add your tea cubes.
This refreshing summer drink will be sure to cool you down, whether you’re relaxing at the beach or just having a fun night in your backyard.
Freeze into popsicles that kids can enjoy on hot days
Making popsicles from your leftover tea is a fun way to not only upcycle your leftover tea but also keep it away from the bin.
To make these popsicles, you will need some sort of mold.
You can find packs of molds at most dollar stores these days.
Next, pour your leftover tea into the mold and let it freeze.
After a few hours, you will have a delicious popsicle for kids of all ages to enjoy on hot summer days.
Pour over ice cream or cake for an interesting dessert topping
If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, then this idea may interest you.
You can pour your leftover tea over ice cream or even cake.
If you want to use it on ice cream, simply let your iced cubes sit out until they melt just a bit.
Try not to let them become completely liquid.
Then, put the cubes onto some ice cream for a delicious chocolate tea dessert.
Want to try it with cake? You can pour your iced cubes directly onto some cake or even some fruit.
It will definitely make an interesting topping that people may want to try again in the future.
Use the leftover leaves to make a colorful, fragrant floor mat
This is a cool way to use your old tea leaves and create an interesting-looking floor mat.
First, just take some string and tie it onto the stems of your leftover black tea leaves.
Then attach them to a dowel or stick of some sort.
You can even try and use something you already have lying around the house like a broom handle.
Next, place the stems in a vase or jar with some water.
Finally, take your dowel or stick and lay it horizontally across two chairs to create an interesting-looking mat.
Make your own bath salts by mixing them with Epsom salt
Making your own bath salts from leftover tea is easy to do and fun for anyone to try.
To do this, first, take some Epsom salt and mix it into your leftover tea leaves.
Be sure to mix well.
Then put this mixture into a jar or vase with some water just like you did for the floor mat.
Finally, sit back and relax as you run yourself a bath with these homemade refreshing bath salts.
Is it safe to drink tea left out overnight?
No, it’s not.
Tea is typically safe to drink if it has been kept at room temperature for only a couple of hours.
However, leaving tea out overnight could cause some problems due to the bacteria that could be growing on the leaves.
When you leave your tea out overnight, the bacteria begin to multiply and you run the risk of ingesting harmful bacteria with your next cup of tea.
To avoid this, simply make sure that you only leave your tea out for a couple of hours before drinking it.
Can you refrigerate leftover tea?
Yes, it’s always best to refrigerate any leftover tea that you have.
This is because storing it in the refrigerator will slow down the bacteria growth and extend the shelf-life of your tea.
Now that you know how to upcycle all those old tea leaves into something new, don’t forget to share these ideas with others so they too can use their leftover tea in fun new ways.
Can I reheat tea the next day?
When reheating your tea, it is best to warm up the water first and then add your tea.
This will prevent any bacteria from growing as you heat up the water.
If you are reheating stale or leftover iced tea, simply put your desired amount of sugar into a microwave-safe dish along with some water.
Microwave for around a minute and then add your leftover iced tea.
Then stir the mixture until all the sugar has dissolved.
Why does my tea get darker as it sits?
As you might have noticed, tea can grow darker as it sits out for some time.
This is due to the tannins in the tea leaves. (source)
Tannins are a natural preservative that inhibits bacteria growth and oxidation of your leftover iced tea.
The longer your iced tea sits out, the more tannin is released into your drink.
If you want your iced tea to stay at its original color, try adding some lemon juice or cream before drinking it.
What is the shelf life of brewed tea?
Brewed tea usually lasts around 7 days when stored in a sealed container.
This is because your tea contains water which acts as a natural preservative and will slow down the growth of bacteria.
It’s always best to keep your brewed tea in an airtight container such as a Tupperware or mason jar with the lid on tightly.
Is boiling tea harmful?
Yes, boiling your tea for too long can cause it to become bitter.
The longer you boil your tea, the more of its natural oils and flavors get removed.
This will leave you with a very bitter drink that might not taste like what you’re used to. (source)
Conclusion
There are many different ways that you can reuse and upcycle your leftover tea and tea leaves.
From composting to adding them to smoothies, these ideas provide a variety of tasty solutions for what to do with old tea.
However, if you’re looking for something sweet, consider mixing it with milk, sugar, and vanilla extract to make chai latte.
If you want to cool down this summer, try freezing your leftover tea into popsicles or pouring it over ice cream or cake.
With so many options available, there’s no reason not to enjoy your old tea leaves in a new and delicious way.