Taking Sun Tea has become a regular feature in the general summertime tradition, and you can take full advantage of the summer sun by learning how to make Sun Tea. I remember most of my childhood summertime memories involved a big glass container of this orangey colored drink. The nostalgic drink brings back loving memoirs of sitting out and sipping tea. I cannot quite recall ever not drinking sun tea during the summer period, and it makes me wonder why it has become some lost art. Aside from tasting good, Sun Tea is easy to prepare and is not expensive to execute. The tea is steep in cold water and can save you more time as it is easy to make in volume for kids or entertaining friends. So, here are the basics of Sun Tea making and How to Make Sun Tea.
Sun Tea 101
To begin with, tea leaves placed in liquid produces their distinct flavor irrespective of whether it is cold, hot, or somewhat in-between. It is called steeping when the water is heated and infusion when the water is cold. Most people make use of steeping because the tea flavors are released faster. The outcome of faster release within a short period is usually a deep color with intense flavor. For cold or warm water, it would take longer.
The overall idea of making sun tea is to create a big batch of tea for summer without involving your stovetop. One thing I have learned about making tea is that the best teas often arise from using a random blend of tea bags. The type of tea to use is dependent on you. So, you are free to explore and get creative. For example, peach tea, hibiscus tea, and green tea combined produces a fantastic fruity and rich red colored tea.
Recipe for Making Sun Tea
Ingredients
- 4 to 8 tea bags (you can use a blend of tea bags).
Method
- Place 4 to 8 tea bags in a 2 quart or gallon container.
- Fill the container with water and cover lid.
- Place the covered container in direct sunlight for 2 to 3 hours.
- As the tea approach its strength, remove from the sun and place in the refrigerator. You may choose to get rid of the tea bags at this stage.
The time needed to steep in the sun is dependent on factors like the outside temperature, the type of tea used, container size, and the color depth you desire from the tea. An acceptable timeframe for sunshine is between 2 to 3 hours.
Once the Sun Tea is ready, you can add liquid sweetener, if so desired. As an alternative to adding sugar and seeing granules settle below, you can make use of agave or honey. They both stir quickly and smooth. Finally, if you prefer lemon or lime, feel free to add them too. They add a light citrus note and garnish the tea as well.
CONCLUSION
That’s it! You can do this!! Sun tea is easy to prepare and loved by everyone. It is a summertime tradition that kids like and you can do well by getting creative with it too. And hopefully, you can add some new tricks to it as well.
