Why does iced tea get cloudy?
Iced tea often gets cloudy with time and this phenomenon can be explained through the following points:
Chemical Reaction
- When tea is brewed and cooled, it forms tiny particles of tannins which make the tea appear cloudy.
- Tannins are present in both hot and iced tea but the cooling process tends to make them more visible.
- Tannins react to the environment resulting in a cloudy appearance.
Stirring
- Tea loses its clarity over time because of the process known as flocculation, where tiny particles of tannins group together.
- This process is hastened if the tea is stirred, and the tiny particles create a cloudy appearance.
Time
- Time is a major factor in the cloudiness of iced tea. The longer it stands, the cloudier it will become.
- This is due to the tiny particles of tannins that accumulate into large particles, resulting in a murky appearance.
In conclusion, iced tea gets cloudy because of a chemical reaction, stirring, and time.
