Ferris92 > wrote in news:1182041562.896235.258240
@k79g2000hse.googlegroups.com:
....
> For a decent oolong, 7 steeps is pretty average for me, but this means
> that the tea is out for at least 2 or 3 hours. Is this okay? Do
> the leaves go bad being wet and left out? Is there a limit? I
> remember reading a while ago an inconclusive study regarding oolong
> leaves that had been left out for a while and some bacteria (I
> believe) growing in them that caused cancer among mice. (I know, it
> sounds odd.) Has anyone else heard this and has anything been
> substantiated?
>
> Thanks!

In the presence of non-sterile air, ex-organic substances like tea
leaves will decay. In general, water helps decay along (that's why
drying is sometimes used as a preservation method). Cold delays this
process, hence refrigerators. :-)

As for the cancer, well, I think some bright person will garner a nobel
prize for conculsively proving that all laboratory mice are *born* with
cancer, and will die of it eventually unless something else kills them
off... :-))

Ozzy