How to Make Iced Sun Tea
If you're looking for a refreshing and easy-to-make drink for a hot summer day, try making this recipe for sun iced tea. This tea is made by steeping tea bags in a jar of water and leaving it in the sun for a few hours to brew. The sun's natural heat will infuse the tea with a unique and delicious flavor that's perfect for warm weather. This recipe can be customized to your taste by choosing your favorite tea blend, adding sweeteners like honey or sugar, or adding fresh herbs or fruit for an extra burst of flavor. Sun iced tea is perfect for those who want to enjoy a refreshing and healthy drink without the added sugars and preservatives found in store-bought drinks. So why not try this recipe for sun iced tea and enjoy a refreshing and healthy drink this summer!
Sun Tea Safety: Tips for Making Delicious and Safe Sun-Infused Iced Tea at Home
Enjoying the taste of sun-infused iced tea is a summer tradition for many, but it's important to ensure that your homemade sun tea is safe to consume. In this article, we'll explore the do's and don'ts of making sun iced tea, along with essential tips for ensuring that your sun-brewed tea is not only delicious but also safe for you to enjoy!
What is Iced Sun Tea?
Iced sun tea is named so as it is brewed by the sun. Tea bags, usually strong black tea such as Assam or English breakfast tea, are added to a glass jar with a lid and then placed in the sun or on a windowsill in direct sunlight for around 3-4 hours. Then it is usually poured over ice to enjoy on hot days.
Other ways to brew tea are by adding boiling water and allowing to steep for anywhere between 3-10 minutes. You can also make cold brew iced tea by adding tea to cold water and allowing to steep in the fridge for at least 4 hours to overnight.
What is the Difference Between Iced Sun Tea and Regular Iced Tea?
The difference between iced sun tea and regular iced tea will be in the taste. Different brewing methods will create different tastes and textures of the tea. Sun tea is well known to create a far more gentle and sweet tasting tea. The taste will fall somewhere between hot brewed tea and cold brewed tea.
For making the biggest, best and most well known iced tea ever, try this recipe for a Long Island iced tea cocktail. Surprisingly, this classic cocktail is made with cola, however, my variation is made with actual iced tea instead. Warning, it’s super strong and one drink is more than enough to get any party started!
How Much Caffeine Does Iced Sun Tea Have?
The average cup of black tea contains around 40mg of caffeine. By steeping the tea in a cooler temperature, less caffeine is extracted from the tea bag. Therefore, an average cup of black iced sun tea is likely to contain less than 40mg per cup.
Is There Vitamin D in Sun Tea?
Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is an essential vitamin provided by the sun or by certain foods or by supplements. Even though sun tea is made by leaving tea to brew in the sunshine, it will not become fortified with vitamin D and so, unfortunately it isn’t a source of vitamin D. Some foods such as mushrooms, can soak up the sunshine and will provide vitamin D. Hooray for mushrooms!
Can you Make Sun Tea in a Plastic Jar?
When making sun tea, I would recommend using only a glass jar. Plastics can release toxic chemicals when heated or left in the sun. I would also recommend using a jar or jug with a non metallic lid, or cover with a cloth so that no insects can get inside. I would avoid metal lids as they can have a negative effect on the taste of the tea.
What Type of Tea Should you use to Make Iced Sun Tea?
When making sun tea, black tea is traditionally used. Black tea is the most popular kind of tea to use in traditional American iced tea and southern sweet tea too. Also, black tea is often preferred over green, white or oolong because black tea generally contains higher amounts of caffeine. Caffeine can help create better conditions to lessen the chance of bacteria growth, just like when making kombucha with black tea, the conditions have to be just right. When made incorrectly, sun tea can be dangerous as it can harbor not-so-nice bacteria.
Some people make sun tea with herbal tea and fresh herbs, like peppermint. If you would like to try alternative teas or herbs, just be mindful that certain ingredients will produce oils that may increase the chances of bacteria growth in the sun. If your sun tea turns cloudy or looks murky, it’s best to avoid drinking it all together.
How Long Does it Take to Make Iced Sun Tea?
It takes around 3-4 hours of direct sunlight to make sun tea. After removing the tea bags, you can either place in the fridge to cool or pour over ice and enjoy straight away. Once fully brewed in the sun, I would recommend storing your sun tea in the fridge and enjoying it within 24 hours of making it.
What is the Optimum Temperature for Making Sun Tea?
Making sun tea can be tricky business as it can create the perfect conditions for growing bacteria! But if you would like to make a batch of sweet and delicate mellow sun tea, it’s best to aim for a hot, sunny day. The temperature doesn’t have to be exact as the tea will naturally steep in any temperature of water, the cooler the water the longer the steep and vice versa.
If it is winter for you right now, or it’s an overcast day, never fear, you can always make a batch of cold brewed iced tea instead. Use 1 tea bag per 1 cup of water and allow to infuse in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours. Pour over ice with slices of fruit and add simple syrup if you like something a little more sweet.
Tips for Making my Iced Sun Tea
It's crucial to be cautious and follow safety guidelines when making sun iced tea to ensure that the brewed tea is safe for consumption. Unlike traditional hot brewing methods, sun tea is brewed at room temperature for several hours, which can create an environment conducive to bacterial growth. This can potentially result in the growth of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli or Salmonella, that can cause foodborne illnesses. It's always better to prioritize food safety and take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones when making sun iced tea or any other homemade beverage.
Here are some essential tips for safely making sun iced tea:
Use clean equipment: Make sure all the utensils, containers, and tea bags or loose tea leaves used in the process are clean and thoroughly washed to avoid any potential contaminants.
Choose safe water: Use filtered or boiled water to minimize the risk of harmful bacteria or pathogens in your sun tea. Avoid using untreated tap water or water from unknown sources.
Limit steeping time: Unlike traditional hot brewing, sun tea is brewed at room temperature for several hours, which can increase the risk of bacterial growth. To minimize this risk, limit the steeping time to no longer than 4 hours.
Place in direct sunlight: Place your sun tea jar in an area with direct sunlight to allow for proper steeping and temperature rise. Avoid shaded or partially shaded areas that may not reach the optimal temperature for steeping.
Refrigerate promptly: Once the steeping process is complete, remove the tea bags or strain the tea leaves and promptly refrigerate the brewed tea to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Avoid leaving the tea at room temperature for too long.
Discard if unusual odor or taste: If your sun tea develops an unusual odor, taste, or appearance, it may be a sign of spoilage. Discard the tea to prevent potential health risks.
By following these tips, you can safely enjoy the refreshing taste of sun-infused iced tea during the hot summer months.
How to Make Sun Tea From Scratch
INGREDIENTS (Serves 2)
2 cups (16fl oz) of cold water
2 black tea bags
Simple syrup - to taste
Slices of fruit and/or fresh herbs to serve
METHOD
Using a glass jar/cup/teapot, add your cold water, add your tea bags and secure the lid.
Place your tea in direct sunlight for 3-4 hours.
Remove your tea bags and place in the fridge to cool. Alternatively, add your simple syrup to the warm tea and pour over a large glass of ice and serve with slices of fresh fruit and fresh herbs.
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It is important to note that any health advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or overall health. The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice.