Many people make iced tea using the? “Sun Tea” method which consists of placing tea in a glass jar in the Sun for several hours.?
We do not recommend “Sun Tea” for several reasons:
First, there is no need to brew tea in the Sun.? It does not provide any benefit over cold steeping.? Prevention Magazine found the hot vs. cold steeping provides no diference in health benefits or taste. From the article “fridge tea actually won (on antioxidants), edging out hot-brewed iced tea made from the same box of Salada Green Tea tea bags.”
Second, The Centers for Disease Control does not recommend this method.
From the article at http://www.snopes.com/food/prepare/suntea.asp
“Tea made by placing loose or bagged tea leaves in glass jars of water which
are then left in direct sunlight can harbor bacteria that can make you ill.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, using the sun’s rays to make
tea can facilitate the growth of bacteria. Tea steeped in a jar on your
porch won’t get any hotter than 130deg Fahrenheit, about the temperature of
a really hot bath and not nearly hot enough to kill nasties lurking either
in the water or on the tea itself.”
Alcaligenes viscolactis, a bacteria commonly found in water, consequently
turns up in sun tea.”
Third, Cold steeping is simple, easily done overnight, and doesn’t heat up
your kitchen!
So, give it a try… Cold steep your next batch!
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All of the Holiday Teas are on the shelves!? Our new arrivals include Gingerbread House, Almond Dream, Lapacho Apple Spice, Harvest moon, and Sonoran Chili Chocolate.
