How long can brewed tea be held before it needs to be discarded?

Brewed tea should be discarded after it has been held for 4 hours to ensure safety and quality. This timeframe is based on food safety guidelines that emphasize preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. After this period, tea can begin to develop off-flavors and may not meet the quality standards expected by customers.

Holding brewed tea for longer than 4 hours increases the risk of it being served at a temperature that could allow bacteria to thrive, especially if the tea is not kept at a safe temperature. Maintaining strict adherence to this guideline ensures that beverages served remain both safe to consume and enjoyable for the guests.