Yes, refrigerating a hot cup of black tea will eventually make it cold. However, it will take some time for the hot tea to cool down to the desired cold temperature in the refrigerator.
When you place a hot cup of black tea in the refrigerator, the cooling process begins immediately. The refrigerator's cold air absorbs the heat from the tea, gradually lowering its temperature. The rate of cooling depends on various factors, including the initial temperature of the tea, the size and material of the cup, and the efficiency of the refrigerator.
To speed up the cooling process, you can take a few steps:
Transfer the hot tea to a wide, shallow container rather than leaving it in a tall cup. This allows for more surface area exposure to the cold air in the refrigerator, speeding up the cooling process.
If you're in a hurry, you can place the tea in the freezer for a short time to get it to cool down faster. Just be cautious not to leave it in the freezer for too long, as it may freeze, affecting the taste and texture of the tea.
Stirring the tea occasionally while it's in the refrigerator can also help distribute the heat and speed up the cooling process.
Remember that refrigerating hot tea won't make it cold instantly, so if you want a chilled glass of black tea quickly, it's better to brew iced tea or use ice cubes to cool it down rapidly.