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Flavoring Sun Tea with Herbs |
| By Monica Resinger |
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Sun tea is very easy to make and is a nice thing to do on a sunny day. It also tastes great and sipping it at the end of a hard day is a great way to relax. If you're having company over, it's a great summer beverage to serve. When you flavor sun tea with herbs, you really have something special.
To make herb flavored sun tea, you'll need a covered glass beverage container, water, six or seven teabags, and 3 or 4 washed, fresh herb sprigs or more, depending on your taste.
For herbs, try mint, lavender, lemon balm, sage or any type of herb that sounds appealing. If you don't have access to fresh herbs, you can add an herbal teabag or two depending on your taste. Most retail stores have containers made especially for iced tea.
Fill the container with cold tap water and add the tea bags and herb sprigs or herbal teabags. Put the lid on and set in a sunny, protected area. I put mine in an out of the way, sunny area of our deck. The warmth of the sun will gradually heat the water and the tea will begin brewing. Now all you have to do is wait until the tea gets as strong as you like. I usually let mine sit out in the sun almost all day.
When your tea is as strong as you like, bring it inside and take the teabags and herbs out, squeezing them to release any flavors back into the tea. Sweeten with honey or sugar and add a bit of lemon juice or a few lemon slices if you wish. Set the container of tea in the refrigerator and chill until very cold. Serve over ice and enjoy!
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About The Author:
Get Monica's FREE e-zine for homemakers 3 times per week; just send a blank e-mail to: HomemakersJournal-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Get FREE home and garden e-books at Monica's website, 'Homemaker's Journal E-publications'; Click here: http://homemakersjournal.com |
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RE: Flavoring Sun Tea with Herbs
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Post By Zippity Do Da (Guest Post)
(04/29/2006)
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If anyone still interested in health issues w/sun tea--go to ext.colostate.edu and find an artcle titled--Is It Safe to Drink Ice Tea? This is a 1996 article and thats just about when I recall everyone said dont make tea in the sun. I still make herbal Sun Tea and haven't had problems but I have had some health issues but dont know if I had food poisoning or the flu--long story. I have a friend that makes traditional Sun Tea w/no problems. I leave tea out only in glass jar [hard to find] and then overnight in fridge. I do this only on very warm days. I would go the boiling water route if worried about bacteria in water. I found little info on the heath issue and too bad I dont have all those GLASS throw away gallon bottles--the spigot ones w/the lever --the best. The best info I found was the Colo. State article and I am still looking. I think I will continue to make Sun Tea but I should add I use filtered water from a Glacier Water Dispenser because of the claim of using ulta-violet light to kill bacteria. I am now considering a way to meaure my Sun Tea temperature. Hope this helps--even if a little late. Considering the many things people eat and drink that can seriously affect their health--I think of Sun Tea as the least of our problem. Thats just my opinion and a personal decision. Good Luck!
RE: Flavoring Sun Tea with Herbs
Several years ago I read where Sun Tea wasn't safe , that bacteria can grow and make you sick. Every one I know has thrown out their Sun tea jugs. Is there an update on that information? I liked the sun tea when I made it years ago. I would add a raspberry tea bag or two to mine. Or one of the mint tea bags. GG Vi
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