How to Safely Make Sun Tea With Fresh or Dry Herbs
Mint. Lemon verbena. Chamomile. Pineapple sage. Doesn't that sound refreshing? Come learn how to safely make sun tea using fresh or dried herbs, including the best herbs to use, important safety precautions, good brewing practices, and other commonly asked questions.
Equipment
- Large glass container with lid (such as a half mason jar or flip-top container)
- Bulk loose-leaf tea strainer, cheesecloth, or reusable food safe mesh bag (optional)
Ingredients
- Fresh herbs of choice, such as mint, chamomile, lemon verbena, lemon balm, tulsi, etc. (fill container about 1/3 to half full)
- or 1/3 the amount in dry herbs (use about 1 ounce or 2-3 tbsp of dried herbs per half gallon of water)
Instructions
- Start with a very clean container (wash with hot water). Also rinse fresh herbs with warm to hot water.
- For fresh herbs, loosely fill the container 1/3 to 1/2 full of herbs (sometimes I do less). For dry herbs, use about 1 ounce or 2-3 Tbsp (about a handful). You can put dry herbs right in the containers, or keep them inside a loose leaf tea strainer, cheesecloth, or other porous "tea bag".
- Optional: add some tea if you'd like, such as bulk organic loose leaf jasmine green, golden oolong, or black breakfast blend. Follow recommended amounts on the package.
- Add warm filtered water.
- Cover the container with a lid.
- Allow the herbal sun tea to steep in the direct sun for 3 to 4 hours (4 hours if you'll consume it all immediately thereafter, 3 to 3.5 hours if you'll be refrigerating leftovers). The hottest time of day will yield best results.
- Stain tea through a fine mesh colander or cheesecloth to remove the herbs. (For a stronger brew, let the herbs continue to cold-infuse in the fridge overnight and strain the following day instead.)
- Immediately refrigerate leftovers and maintain refrigerated.
- Enjoy within 5 days for best results, up to one week. Discard if mold or off odors develop.
- Food safety best practice: only add sugar, fruit, or other sweetener at the time of consumption, not during the brewing process.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!