If you have ever filled a big glass container with water, tossed a few Luzianne tea bags in there, and placed the jar outside in the sun, you likely grew up in the South. For many Southerners, making sun tea—tea brewed by the heat of the sun—is a summertime ritual. This homespun method is a popular way to make a large batch of tea without turning on the stovetop. Sure, it takes several hours to brew a gallon of sun tea, but its nostalgic appeal has kept the tradition going.

Over the years, as more and more sun tea recipes have popped up across the Internet, so have warnings about its potential danger. Not all of these warnings are attributed to experts, so we decided to go straight to the source, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for the final answer. If sun tea is something you grew up drinking or still like to make today, we’re sorry to burst your bubble.

Why Sun Tea Is Not Safe To Drink

While the FDA does not have specific regulations for sun tea, it does not recommend brewing tea in this manner because of the potential for bacterial growth when left in the sun for several hours. According to an FDA spokesperson: “The tea may not reach temperatures high enough to kill harmful bacteria and the water temperature during sun tea brewing typically is within the ‘danger zone’ where bacteria can thrive, allowing growth of bacteria that can cause illness.” 

Check The Tea Packaging 

The agency also says that dried tea products are generally minimally processed, which means they may contain harmful microorganisms that require time and temperature controls during brewing for safety. So while the sun can heat the water enough to brew tea, the water isn’t reaching a simmer or boiling point, which would kill harmful bacteria. To be safe, it’s best to check the brewing instructions on the tea packaging, which will tell you how long and at what temperature tea should be brewed.

How To Make Perfect Sweet Tea

If you’re brewing tea at home, follow our foolproof guide to making the very best iced sweet tea. Even if you think you know how to make sweet tea, you’ll definitely learn something new from our highly specific instructions.