Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Sweet Tea

Relief!
We need a break from this heat wave!!
Iced tea doesn't stay in the pitcher long these days.

Last night I was reading the new issue of Food Network Magazine and saw a section on Tea Tips....thought I would share them with you.

  • Don't squeeze tea bags when removing them: The tannins will make your tea taste bitter, plus the bag could break.  (I always squeeze mine....today I won't)
  • Brew with filtered or bottle water - the mineral in tap water can make tea bitter or cloudy. (wondered why mine got cloudy....another use for my brita filter)
  • Cover iced tea before refrigerating so it won't absorb flavors and aromas from other food...(never covered mine)
  • Drink the tea within two to three days....(no problem here)
  • Serve chilled tea in a pitcher without ice to avoid diluting the flavor: add ice to the serving glasses.

I didn't know there was so much to know about a simple pitcher of tea/ha

Now let's talk brand of tea.  You know how faithful I am to brands!  It's always been Lipton for me. 
Last week as I was in the tea section of Wal Mart a gentleman made the comment he was looking for Luzianne and I replied, "I'm a Lipton fan".  He said he was in a restaurant and commented on how great their tea tasted and they said it was Luzianne.  I noticed he put a large box of Lipton in his buggy and walked on....lol

I think I've told you about Paula Deen's Sweet Tea recipe being so good but didn't share it with you;

Bring 4 cups water to a boil , add 2 family size tea bags, turn off heat, place lid on and allow to steep for 1 hour.  Remove tea bags (don't squeeze), pour into a pitcher, add 1 cup sugar and 4 cups of cold water.  I use 1/2 cup, seems sweet enough to me.

Well that sums up Tea 101 for today.  Mine has been steeping for an hour so I'm off to add the sugar.
Have a great day and try to stay cool!

10 comments:

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

My mom always made iced tea and we always had it at family get togethers but I have never, ever made it. My kids would jump for joy if I did. Thanks to you, now that I've Tea 101, might just give it a go tomorrow. :) Hope your day is a good one. Tammy

Grandmother Mary said...

I make sun tea with black tea, fruit tea and fresh mint added. Doesn't need sugar, just a slice of lemon. Yummy all summer!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I always drink non caffeine herbal teas as I drink enough coffee in the morning to keep me awake all day..lol The brita water does keep it clear, which I love! Loved all the tips..I also squeezed tea bags and now I won't! :)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Thanks for the info.... We are hot tea drinkers at home.. I love Earl Grey tea --and George drinks green teas.. WE order ours online from a tea company... He is pickier than I am about tea...
Hugs,
Betsy

MarieElizabeth said...

I'll try the sweet tea recipe - always up for something new. I LOVE tea, of all kinds, but iced just gets my day going. And no, I don't have any problems with it staying in the fridge too longer either!

Tanna said...

Thank you for the Tea 101. I have always squeezed my bags! LOL! I'll have to cut that out!

It is brutally hot. We are on our 28th day of greater than 100degrees. 15 in a row! Whew! I love the heat... but this is ridiculous! LOL! blessings ~ tanna

Unknown said...

I love tea and like you I never knew the proper way to make tea. My goodness, I always liked my tea the way I made it.

I’ll have to try Paula Deen’s recipe.

—cindy

Deb said...

I've always squeezed the tea bags too....huh...learn something new every day....I like Lipton or Luzainne either one is fine with me...can't do the sweet tea thing...

Just a Girl said...

I always prepare a small squeeze-bottle of sugar-water (prepare warm, to dissolve sugar, then refrigerate) to add to my tea whenever I decide to have a glass. :D This way everyone can sweeten their tea to their own liking, and there's no lengthy process when making the tea! I usually do three parts sugar to one part water, which sounds like a lot, but then you only need a little in your tea. My grandparents were missionaries in 1960s Malaysia and were taught this method there. :D I love my iced-tea!!

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

I always squeeze the tea bags. STOPPING today!