Warmer days are coming soon! For some of us they are already well established and leave us looking for a cool, refreshing drink. Sun tea has been a popular and relatively inexpensive way to keep hydrated for many people, but there are a few things you should know.
The Risks
The nostalgic look of tea bags cooking away in a glass jar on the front porch is definitely a welcoming sight. However, that glass jar creates the perfect environment for bacteria from tap water to thrive. The water typically keeps to a steady temperature of 130°F. To actually kill bacteria, the tea needs to get to 195°F. Of course, this bacteria probably adds a little to make sun tea taste just the way you remember it, but there are a few precautions to keep in mind if you choose to take the risk of enjoying it this summer.
- Wash out the glass jar and spigot (if your container has one) very carefully with warm, soapy water before putting in water for tea.
- Don’t leave the jar in the sun for more than 3-4 hours.
- Don’t make more tea than you plan to consume in a day.
- Refrigerate the tea as soon as it is brewed and keep it refrigerated.
- Discard if the tea appears thick or syrupy.
A Safe Alternative
With a little more planning ahead, iced tea is just as easy to make and definitely safe from bacteria by brewing it cold. Simply fill your jar with cool water, add tea bags as you would for sun tea, and place the jar in the fridge overnight. This way, bacteria doesn’t have a chance, and your tea will have a longer refrigerator shelf life. Give it a try! As simple as this method is, you may want to stock up on a few favorite flavors this time of year such as Mango Mayhem Black Tea, Lychee or Ginger Peach.
