Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The way most people make sun tea it is a haven for bacteria that can make you sick. The heat of the sun heats up the brewing water enough to give the bacteria a very favorable environment for growth. There are some precautions you can take to make the practice safer, but I don't understand the appeal at all. It takes longer than just boiling water and brewing the tea for a few minutes. What do you gain by brewing it in the sun?
I'm very fond of Braum's iced tea bags. They are not expensive but I find they have the best flavor. I put my sugar and my tea bags (1 bag per qt) in a big pitcher, then pour a few cups of boiling water over. I also often put a large healthy mint sprig from the garden in at this point.
When the sugar is melted I add cool water to the desired level, cover, and refrigerate. In a couple hours I take the tea bags out & serve over ice.
Sorry I missed the UNSWEET in the title. When I want to do unsweet I would probably skip the hot water part and just do the cold brew method for 2-4 hours. I do think the hot water brings out the flavor of the mint though.
Last edited by Debsi; 11-09-2009 at 09:16 AM..
Reason: Didn't read the title diligently enough!
Location: somewhere between Lk. Michigan & Lk. Huron
5,585 posts, read 984,710 times
Reputation: 1394
Home brewed unsweet tea
Quote:
Originally Posted by SookieStackhouse
I have one of those tea maker things and the tea I make is absolutely dreadful.
I don't know what brand tea maker you have or how you do with your tea maker Sookie; but my Mom has one of those things, don't know what brand it is, but I absolutely love the taste & flavor, I drink about 2 or 3 glasses, just love it. I'd get me one, but don't have the space for storage.
I drink tons of tea. All the major brands taste fine to me. Lipton, Tetley, Luzianne etc. Our store brand is very strong as I like it. Cold Brew is an excellent improvement. Not that boiling tea is much work. The great thing is you no longer melt all your ice with hot tea. 3 family sized teabags to a gallon of water. Cup of sugar! Good to go! It doesn't get any better IMO! Without sugar........? Why bother.
I drink a lot of tea. I just use a glass measuring cup (4 cup) and heat it in the microwave till the water is hot (but not boiling) put three large tea bags in let it steep for 20-30 mins, then pour into a larger picture and add water to the top. I don't use sugar....I know I know I am probably going to some sort of southern hell for that lol. My husband is diabetic so we don't use a lot of sugar, I do use sweet-n-low though...it makes it taste kinda like sweet tea.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Without sugar........? Why bother. 
