My beverage of choice is unsweetened decaffeinated sun tea.
In winter, I fill a half-gallon jar with hot water, add three tea bags, and let it steep on the kitchen counter, usually overnight. The result is "sun" tea. Kinda weak, but that's winter for you.
When the weather warms up, though – ah, then I can make real sun tea.
My preferred spot to steep sun tea is where the porch rail wraps around the upright. It faces west, and gets a double whammy of warmth – not just from the sun on one side, but by the reflected heat against the upright on the other. (Plus there's no danger of accidentally knocking it down.)
For obvious reasons I try not to make it until the sun is shining on this corner, and I'll let it steep as long as the sun is shining.
It gets darker and darker as the afternoon wanes. After it's chilled and poured over ice, it makes for a good hearty beverage.
To me, it's the color of sunshine.
For stronger winter tea, I bet Don could make a small solar oven for sun basking! Hmmmm
ReplyDeleteHave you considered the fact that most of the world’s tea is picked by hand and produced in nations that have poor sanitation in rural areas with defecation in the outdoors a common occurrence? There is a reason why the British Empire survived while colonizing some of the most backwards nations in the world – they drank tea making sure the water always came to a rolling boil before adding the tea leaves. Just something to think about. While your water may be clean, the naturally cured commercial tea may be questionable. If you want to sun brew, I would suggest you consider using herbal teas grown locally. Here in Texas, we use yaupon tea we pick ourselves for sun brewing. Pete in Texas
ReplyDeleteGinger-Sun-Tea, sorry not much for the Black Teas. Gata LOVE it on those scorching hot days of 100 degrees plus.
ReplyDeleteJust drop a bunch of clear/clean ice (not that nasty frosty looking Ice) in a 24OZ glass and fill with Sun Tea, find a shady spot in the Garden and chill.
Sorry, I need to disagree with the Sun-Tea in the winter, Hot Tea is the way to warn not only the hands but the soul.
As far as the “dangers” of drinking Sun Tea, sure there is a chance of catching some bug (have you seen the most recent ‘Recall List’ of foods from the major suppliers? Hundreds of items), on the other hand I drive on public roads IN TRAFFIC, heck sometimes with a glass of Sun Tea in hand, and yes, at 71 years of age I live on the wild-side HAHAHA