I'll bet Oldquiltinglady's tea would taster wonderful to me! That is pretty much how I make it. We never leave ours out. It goes right into the refrigerator. I've never had a gallon of tea last for 24 hours so I don't know about tea tasting old. Ours is never old because we drink it so much.
I've also never heard of baking soda to keep tea fresh. This board knows the most amazing things.