How long does a cup of tea take to cool down?

The time taken for a cup of tea to cool down depends on various factors such as the initial temperature of the tea, the temperature of the surrounding environment, the volume of the tea, and the type of container the tea is in. Generally, a cup of tea can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to cool down to room temperature.

Here are some approximate time ranges for the cooling of a cup of tea under different conditions:

1. Room Temperature (25°C):

- In a ceramic mug: 15-30 minutes

- In a Styrofoam cup: 20-45 minutes

- In a metal cup: 10-25 minutes

2. Colder Environment (15°C):

- In a ceramic mug: 25-45 minutes

- In a Styrofoam cup: 30-60 minutes

- In a metal cup: 15-35 minutes

3. Hotter Environment (35°C):

- In a ceramic mug: 10-20 minutes

- In a Styrofoam cup: 15-30 minutes

- In a metal cup: 5-15 minutes

These are just rough estimates, and the actual time may vary depending on specific conditions. It's worth noting that the rate of cooling can also be affected by the presence of certain additives in the tea, such as milk or sugar.