Have you ever tried sun tea? I hadn't. I didn't understand what difference it would make to brew tea in the hot sun for a few hours versus brewing it in the normal way.
Not coincidentally, I didn't much like iced tea either, unless it was sweetened. Last month on the way to a party my husband picked up a gallon of unsweetened iced tea from Trader Joe's. (Yes, we all know I love that store.) As I drank glass after glass I couldn't help commenting on how good it tasted, and how surprised I was that it didn't need a sweetener to be enjoyable.
This, apparently, is the difference between sun brewed iced tea and regular brewed iced tea, as my husband was quick to point out. Well, it's true. Brewing tea at a lower temperature in the sun releases the flavor of the tea leaves, but doesn't get hot enough to release the bitterness of the tannins as well.
Every few afternoons I put 4 of the large Lipton Iced Tea bags in a gallon glass jar and let it sit in the sun for a few hours on our patio. Once it's chilled it is a truly refreshing drink. And for a lot less than the Trader Joe's version. One $2 box makes approximately 5 gallons of iced tea.
May I also point out that it has no calories and many antioxidants as well?
The perfect everyday summer beverage for me. Aside from water of course.
Image by all things michigan
2 comments:
I remember making sun tea when I was a little kid! If only we were getting some sun this summer, I might try to make more!
Have you ever tried sweet tea? I have a girl friend from the South who swears by the yumminess of it. I've yet to have some authentic stuff.
I love sun tea! I make it every year I like the Lipton, but also enjoy others such as Moroccan Mint Green Tea. Of course there is nothing better than sweetened sun tea!
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