How to Brew Herbal Sun Tea

I don't make sun tea, I brew solar tea. I have taught classes on
solar cooking, so I make a distinction between sun tea and solar
tea. Solar tea is made the same way as sun tea, but the jar is
placed inside the solar cooker. Being in the solar cooker, the jar
gets about 30 degrees hotter just being in the sun.

Pennyroyal in tea? It is not for consumption.

I am not sure how much tea to put into the quart jar. Did I miss
something? Or is this just a tea made from the acutal herbs. Thanks
for any clarification!Todd in Phoenix

Hello.To make your jar more effective paint it on the outside
with black schoolboard paint, it will then warm up much faster and
be ready sooner.Put a tape strip up the jar before painting it and
strip it off after the paint has dried for an observation
windowHave a sunshine day

While I have not used fresh herbs to make solar tea, I have been
making solar tea for 30 years. I have found that solar tea stays
fresh tasting longer than the normal "brewed" iced tea. If you use
standard tea bags, are willing to drink your tap or filtered water,
and are confident that your container is clean, there is no need to
be concerned about bacteria.I use a one gallon lidded jar full of
tepid water and 24 tea bags. We use mostly green tea with a few
other flavors added for accent (like Earl Grey or mint.) The tea is
done after about 3 hours in direct sun. My grandsons (ages 6 and 4)
help me make it [with freshly washed and dried hands]. They are
proud of their addition to supper (and it helps with their math
skills.)

I would be weary of certain bacteria that may flourish while
brewing sun tea. The water doesn't get hot enough in the sun to
kill off the offending bacteria. I would at least boil the water
before hand, but then again, I'd just chose to make tea the safer
way, with water at over 195 degrees F. I'm not a germaphobe (people
do get a bit nuts about sterilizing everything around them and use
antibacterial products without thought), but I also don't push my
luck by drinking tepid water that has been sitting for hours on
end.

SCorbin--You have something working in your favor when you brew
conventional tea, rather than "herbal tea". Caffeine in tea (black
tea containing more than green) helps keep bacteria at bay for at
least a limited time. Years of brewing without problem, merely
shows that you've been fortunate(probably aided by using dried teas
and clean utensils and consuming the tea soon thereafter) and
attests to the veracity of our stomachs. There's plenty of
opportunities to test our limits and knowledge of the risks
involved with atypical food preparation should at least be
encouraged.