The biggest issue with sun tea is bacteria . Warm, damp spots, like a jar filled with water and tea leaves and placed in the sun, can be a breeding ground for unhealthy bacteria – especially if sugar is added to the sun tea while it is steeping.
What are the benefits of sun tea?
Not only is it a popular homemade beverage, but sun tea also has loads of health benefits. Tea is chock full of antioxidants and flavonoids , which can help decrease your risk of heart attack and diabetes. Plus, sun tea is a breeze to prepare; in fact, the sun does much of the work for you.
What makes sun tea so good?
The story is that the heat of the sun makes tea extraction faster , giving you ready-to-drink tea within a couple hours without the need to heat up water indoors. Some folks also say that the flavor is different because of the lower temperature extraction.
What is the difference between sun tea and regular tea?
Sun tea is simply iced tea that is allowed to brew in sunlight for several hours . Sun tea is traditionally made using black tea such as Lipton or Luzianne. For your homemade sun tea, you can use any black tea you like or opt for herbal teas instead.
Is sun tea healthier than brewed tea?
According to the The Centers for Disease Control “the practice of making ‘sun tea’ by steeping tea bags in a container of water in the sun may be a higher theoretical risk than brewing tea at higher temperatures because it provides an environment where bacteria are more likely to survive and multiply.” Tea steeped in a ...
Should you refrigerate sun tea?
Do not leave the tea to brew in the sun for longer than 4 hours. ... Refrigerate the tea as soon as it is ready and keep it refrigerated . Add sweeteners and garnish AFTER the tea is brewed. Waiting makes no difference flavor-wise and can prevent further bacterial growth.
Does it have to be hot to make sun tea?
Sun Tea 101
It does not matter if the water is hot , cold, or somewhere in between. When the liquid is hot, we call it steeping. If the liquid is cold, it’s technically a plain old infusion. Either way, it really doesn’t matter what you call it.
Is it OK to drink sun tea?
But despite the joy of making something so simple, sun tea has had its day in science labs and alas, sun tea can pose a health risk. It seems that tea brewed in the sun creates a breeding ground for bacteria and so, if we go with science shows us, sun tea is not such a good idea .
How Safe Is sun tea?
And technically, yes, this method is not strictly safe . Our reading shows that the 130°F or so that the water reaches is an ideal temperature for harboring (and growing) the bacteria commonly found in tap water. Without a boiling session to kill off this bacteria, there is the chance that they will grow in the sun tea.
Why is my sun tea bitter?
Steeping Times
Never steep your tea longer than 4 hours. Any longer and it will get bitter . You might be able to get away with a longer steep time IF you are using only herbal teas.
Can you make coffee like sun tea?
Cold brew coffee is easy to make at home, just mix about a cup of your favorite coffee with four cups of water in a pitcher or large mason jar and let it sit for 24 hours. ... But if its sunny out and want your perfect iced coffee a little quicker, do the same thing but just leave it in the sun for 1-1/2 to 2 hours .
Why is my sun tea thick?
If sun tea gets a thick or syrupy appearance, it may be due to the presence of a ropy bacteria called Alcaligenes viscolactis . Ropy bacteria are commonly found in soil and water. Standard brewing processes for hot tea are always hot enough to ensure that any undesirable microbes are killed, eliminating this risk.
Is sun tea less bitter?
This is one of the best black teas to use when making sun tea. It doesn’t get bitter , and it comes in large bags you can use in lieu of single-serving ones.
Does sun tea really need sun?
Traditionally, sun tea is steeped using sunlight to heat the water , rather than boiling it on the stove. In fact, this doesn’t need to be done in the heat of summer because it doesn’t matter whether the water is warmed at all.
Is sun tea a southern thing?
Sweet Tea is about as southern as you can get . Southern Sweet Sun Tea is how we roll in this Southern household! Tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world, up there with water, coffee, and beer (which are all things I love).
Can you leave sun tea out on the counter?
How long should you step sun tea? Let the sun tea sit on the counter for 3-4 hours . Then remove the tea bags and refrigerate the tea.
