Sun Tea

As a child growing up in the 1970's I remember my grandmother and mother making sun tea. It was very popular and I loved it, a really great summer time memory.

Lately, I have been reading more and more about the possibility of sun tea being unsafe. Sun tea is the perfect medium for bacteria to grow. If the sun tea has a thick or syrupy appearance, it may be due to the presence of a ropy bacteria called Alcaligenes viscolactis. Ropy bacteria are commonly found in soil and water.

Centers for Disease Control and the National Tea Association recommend the following when making tea.

• Brew tea bags at 195 degrees F for three to five minutes.
• Brew only enough tea that can be consumed within a few hours.
• Never maintain brewed tea for more than eight hours at room temperature. Discard any unused tea after eight hours.
• Wash, rinse, and sanitize tea-making equipment regularly.
• Instead of making "sun tea," brew tea overnight in the refrigerator as you would in the sun.
• Store tea bags in a dark, cool, and dry place away from strong odors and moisture. Do not store in the refrigerator.

I want to know what you think? Do you drink sun tea, do you think it is unsafe? Please leave a comment.