Loose leaf black sun tea recipe

Ingredientes

1 gallon of filtered water

4-8 tablespoons of loose leaf black tea (adjust based on desired strength)

Large glass jar with a lid (a 1-gallon jar or larger is ideal)

Direct sunlight

Sweetener (optional, e.g., sugar, honey, agave nectar)

Fresh fruit or herbs for garnish (optional, e.g., lemon slices, mint sprigs)

Instrucciones

Clean the Jar: Thoroughly wash and sanitize your glass jar to prevent bacterial growth.

Add Tea and Water: Fill the jar with cold, filtered water and add the loose leaf black tea.

Steep in the Sun: Cover the jar with a lid and place it in direct sunlight for approximately 3-5 hours. The steeping time may vary depending on the sun's intensity and your preferred tea strength.

Remove Tea Leaves: Once the tea reaches the desired color and flavor (it should look like tea), strain out the loose leaf tea leaves.

Sweeten (Optional) and Chill: Add sweetener to your taste, if desired, and stir well until dissolved. Refrigerate the sun tea immediately to cool it down.

Serve and Enjoy: Serve the chilled sun tea over ice, garnished with fresh fruit or herbs if you like.

Safety tips

Use a clean, sanitized glass container, not plastic, for brewing.

Brew the tea in the sun for no more than 4 hours.

Do not add sweeteners, fruits, or herbs to the tea while it's brewing in the sun, add them only after it's brewed.

Store the sun tea in the refrigerator immediately after brewing.

Consume the tea within 2-3 days. Discard any tea that looks thick or syrupy, as this can be a sign of bacterial growth.

Notes

For stronger tea, use more loose leaf tea, not more steeping time in the sun.

Consider using tea filter bags to contain the loose leaf tea and make cleanup easier.

Experiment with different black tea varieties, such as Ceylon, Assam, or Earl Grey, to find your favorites.

You can also add other flavorings to your finished sun tea, such as lemon juice, fresh ginger slices, or different herbs like rosemary or basil.