Bacteria Found in Sun-Tea!

The oppressive heat of the summer often brings people searching for ways to cool down. Many turn to sun tea, which seems like a great way to utilize the sun's rays. However, it often hosts the bacteria alcaligenes viscolactis. This bacteria is commonly found in water. When you boil your tea the heat kills this bacteria, but the lukewarm temperature of the sun tea creates an ideal environment for alcaligenes viscolactis flourish.

Is Sun Tea Safe?, on the Colorado State University Extension SafeFood Rapid Response Network states:

"Sun tea is the perfect medium for bacteria to grow. If the sun tea has a thick or syrupy appearance, it may be due to the presence of a ropy bacteria called Alcaligenes viscolactis."

Though alcaligenes viscolactis bacteria is not fatal, it may cause you to become ill. If you drink sun tea, you are not guaranteed to get sick. But why take the risk? Is a glass of sun tea really worth getting sick over?!

Nearly all people believe that tea bags must be heated to release their flavor. This is completely false. A great alternative to sun tea is refrigerator tea! It's extremely easy, and tastes the same. All you do is fill a container with water and put in the tea bags (just as you do with sun tea), and then put the container in the fridge for 6-8 hours! That's it!