How to Make Sun Tea with Green Tea Bags

Nothing captures the essence of a warm, sunny day like a refreshing glass of sun tea. If you’ve ever wondered, “can you make sun tea with green tea bags,” the answer is a resounding yes! Let’s dive into this wonderful process, touching on its history, benefits, and various ways to enhance your sun tea experience.

1. Ingredients

• 3 regular green tea bags
• 8-10 cups filtered or tap water, your preference
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint, sweetener of your choice or whatever you like with your tea (optional)
• Sunlight!

2. Preparation

Follow these steps to create a delightful pitcher of sun tea:

1. Fill your container most of the way with your choice of cold/room temperature water.
2. Add tea bags and secure or hang tags outside of the container to steep.
3. Place in the sunlight for 5-10 hours until the tea is your desired strength.
4. Remove the tea bags and throw them away, add ice and whatever optional sweeteners/flavorings you’d like.
5. Place remaining tea in the refrigerator and enjoy another day!

Refer to this comprehensive resource on easy green sun tea for more insights.

3. Sun Tea vs. Regular Tea

Sun tea is made by placing tea bags or loose tea leaves in a jar of water and letting it sit in the sun. The heat from the sun causes the tea to slowly infuse into the water, creating a milder and less bitter taste compared to regular tea.

Regular tea is made by steeping tea leaves or tea bags in hot water for a short period of time, resulting in a stronger and more full-bodied flavor.

4. History of Sun Tea

The origin of sun tea is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the southern United States during the 1960s and 1970s. Sun tea quickly became a popular way to make iced tea because it was easy to make and required no special equipment.

5. Making Sun Tea Safely

Making sun tea safely is crucial to avoid any potential health risks. It’s important to choose the right tea leaves and follow safe practices:

1. Choose your tea leaves: The Tea Spot’s Boulder Blues blend is a great choice for sun tea as it has a light and refreshing flavor.
2. Fill a Mason jar with cold water and add tea leaves depending on how strong you like your tea.
3. Attach the Craft Cold Brew Filter to the Mason jar and place in a sunny spot.
4. Steep the tea for about 3 to 4 hours, checking the temperature periodically.
5. Refrigerate the tea once the desired strength is reached.

For further details on safe preparation of sun tea, consult how to make sun tea safely.

6. Sweetening and Flavoring Sun Tea

Once your sun tea is ready, you can customize it to your liking:

• Sweeten sun tea with sugar, honey, or agave.
• Add fresh fruits, such as lemon or mint, or fruit juices to add flavor.
• Wait until the tea has been refrigerated and cooled to add sweeteners and flavors.

7. How to Make Sun Tea

If you’re making a larger batch, the process is equally simple:

1. Fill a large glass dispenser with water and add 8 tea bags per gallon.
2. Use any combination of tea bags you like.
3. Sweeten with a liquid sweetener, if desired.
4. Garnish with citrus.

For a more detailed guide, visit how to make sun tea.

8. Sun Tea Variations

Make your sun tea truly unique by experimenting with various flavors and combinations:

• Use whatever tea or tea combination you’d like.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice to enhance the flavor.
• Make sweet sun tea by adding any sweetener.
• Adding a pinch of pure sea salt will also increase the mineral content of your drink.

9. Tools You May Need

• Quart mason jar or another glass container
• Measuring spoons

10. How to Store Sun Tea

Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and safety of your sun tea:

• Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 1 week if nothing has been added, or up to 2 days if sweetener and juice have been added.

Enjoy your homemade sun tea made with green tea bags and savor the gentle, sun-kissed flavors it brings. Happy sipping!