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America's Melting Pot
Sun Tea hero image coming soon
1946-1969 - Postwar American suburban home cooks and outdoor entertainers.
Sun Tea is an informal iced tea prepared by steeping tea bags in water warmed by sunlight, popularized during America's postwar suburban era as a refreshing outdoor beverage. This method requires minimal equipment and is a staple of backyard gatherings.
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Difficulty
Easy
Prep time
5 minutes
Cook time
3-5 hours (steeping)
Total time
3-5 hours 5 minutes
Servings
6
Region
American campground, backyard grill, state-fair, and outdoor recreation kitchens
Era introduced
1946-1969
Introduced by
Postwar American suburban home cooks and outdoor entertainers.
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Sun Tea became especially popular in mid-20th-century American suburbs, where easy outdoor entertaining was embraced. The tea is brewed by placing tea bags in a large jar of water set in direct sunlight for several hours, extracting flavor with gentle warmth. It epitomizes casual summer refreshment and the DIY ethos of the era, requiring only simple ingredients and patience for cooling time.
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