Is sun tea dangerous?
It’s clear summer months are prime time for this classic tea beverage.
But what is sun tea, exactly, and why aresomehealth expertssaying it may be dangerous?
Credit:Diane079F / Getty Images
Here’s the need to know info so it’s possible for you to sip safely.
Diane079F / Getty Images
What Is Sun Tea?
Caffeinated black tea is most often used as the base.
Is Sun Tea Safe?
This puts the sun tea at risk topotentially foster bacterial growth.
“Since teas are minimally processed agricultural products, they can often contain microorganisms.
That’s not the kind ofbacteria we want in our diet.
Among them are Klebsiella and Enterobacter species,'” Schaffner says.
(you’re able to learn more about this in ourguide for summer food safety.)
But you should be safe to use a steeping time of four hours or less, Schaffner says.
ZHAO, T. et al.
“Health Relevance of the Presence of Fecal Coliforms in Iced Tea and Leaf Tea.
“Journal of Food Protection, vol.
3, 1997, 215218. doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-60.3.215
