Southern Sweet Sun Tea

Sun tea is a method of slow, cold water brewing tea in direct sunlight. This technique produces a gentle smoother iced tea. ☀

Sun tea is really simple to brew and a delicious way to enjoy summer. If you're not familiar with it sun tea is a method of brewing tea slowly, using the heat of the sun to draw out the flavors from dry tea leaves.

Sun Tea is a nostalgic beverage from childhood that brings back so many good memories. My dad was in the air force (air force brat), so we moved a quite a bit. When I was four or five we were stationed on Vandenberg Air Force Base. 

It wasn't long after, that my mother remarried and we were relocated to (Hickam AFB) in Oahu, Hawaii. Hawaii was one of the longest places I lived growing up. We were stationed there a total of 9 years and it really was one of the most beautiful places a kid could call home. Hawaii is like summertime all year round.

I remember my mother putting a big gallon size glass jar full of water and tea bags out on the Lanai (porch in Hawaiian) every other day. My mother always took advantage of the hot sun to brew her tea. Did you know that Sun Tea is also a southern favorite?

My mom learned how to make it when she lived in Alabama. That is also where she learned to cook all the great southern classics I adore today. I can honestly say I think we were the only kids in Hawaii that drank Sun Tea and ate Buttermilk Biscuits with Chocolate Gravy.

You see just because we lived in Hawaii didn't mean we had to give up our southern favorites. My mother continued to cook southern classics while we lived there. Sun tea was something that mom made all the time. 

Lately there has been some recent controversy regarding sun tea being unsafe. It has been stated that bacteria can grow because the water doesn't reach a temperature of 190 degrees or more. I also read that the bacteria found in sun tea comes from the water used to make it, not the tea itself, so that would mean that the water can also be an issue.  

Instead of using tap water use distilled or filtered water. You can also boil the water first for 3-5 minutes and then cooling in the refrigerator before using. I use filtered water and haven't had any problems. All I can say is I have consumed Sun Tea for over 40 years and I have never gotten sick. I also don't know of anyone actually getting sick from the consumption of sun tea. 

It's all up to you whether you want to drink sun tea or not. So if you're feeling a bit adventurous and want to give sun tea a try I have included some important safety steps below. As for me I will continue to steep, sip and enjoy one of my favorite summer beverages.

Sun Tea Safety: 

1. Always us a clean glass jar and not a plastic jar. Make sure you choose a jar that has a metal or glass lid and not a plastic one. Don't brew sun tea in a jar that has a spigot, because it is too hard to keep clean, find another jar to brew the tea in). 
2. Scrub your sun tea container with hot soapy water after every use I always clean mine by hand and run it through the dishwasher after each use.
3. Use distilled, filtered or bottled water. If you prefer, use tap water that has been boiled for 3-5 minutes and allow it to cool completely in the refrigerator before using. 
4. Don't add any sugar, honey, spices or fruits while the tea is brewing in the sun, add those additions after the tea has brewed. 
5. Don’t leave the sun tea to brew for more than 4 hours in direct sunlight.
6. If you are concerned about consuming sun tea because of safety reasons, you can bring the tea to a rapid boil after it has been sitting in the sun to help kill any bacteria.
7. The key is not allowing sun tea to sit out and come to room temperature after brewing. Refrigerate the tea as soon as it is ready and keep it refrigerated. 
8. Drink within 2-3 days, so don't prepare more than you can consume.  
9. Throw out the leftovers after 2-3 days and throw out any tea that has turned thick and syrupy (that's just common sense). 

This is how I make my Sun Tea. Place tea bags into a clean 3 quart clear glass jar. Make sure to leave the paper tags on the outside of the jar. Add the water and screw on the lid. 

Let the jar of tea stand in direct sunlight for 4-5 hours or until the tea reaches the desired strength. Remove and throw away the tea bags. Add sugar to suit your taste, then serve over ice. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Sun tea is milder than regular brewed ice tea. For a nice change you can add fresh lemon or orange slices and mint leaves. Also if you don't want to add sugar, you can boil together 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup water and add it in place of the sugar, but add that after the sun tea has brewed. 

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