How do you make Iced Tea?

[tickledkitty]

Listen people. You've forgotten the most important thing.

When making any kind of tea, using distilled water is imperative. Otherwise, it will be cloudy and kind of rancid tasting, not to mention really dark, because of the impurities in the water. If you're using tap water, just try using distilled water. It seriously makes superior tea.

Also, Lipton tea bags suck. So does Tetley. Red Rose is the bomb.

Iced tea is pretty much just hot tea poured over ice, Vermilion. Whatever you like hot, you'll probably like cold. Just don't put milk in it.

 

[3113]

If you're going to sweeten the tea (and I would beg you not to)

Agreed! Ice tea (IMHO) is best unsweetened. I'm a long-time tea drinker here and I love the taste of good TEA, not sugar, sugar, sugar!. Also, consider pouring some of the tea into an ice cube tray and freezing it to serve as the ice in the iced tea. That way the ice tea doesn't get diluted.

I'm also with Tickledkitty; good tasting water, distilled water is as important as good tasting tea in making delicious ice tea.

 

[john-the-author]

Listen people. You've forgotten the most important thing.

When making any kind of tea, using distilled water is imperative. Otherwise, it will be cloudy and kind of rancid tasting, not to mention really dark, because of the impurities in the water. If you're using tap water, just try using distilled water. It seriously makes superior tea.

Also, Lipton tea bags suck. So does Tetley. Red Rose is the bomb.

Iced tea is pretty much just hot tea poured over ice, Vermilion. Whatever you like hot, you'll probably like cold. Just don't put milk in it.

I live in the Pacific Northwest and we tend to have very pure water with few particulates, so tap water's fine. But a Britta filter will work for those who like something purer. When we were stuck in Indiana, the water tasted and smelled like a dog had been washed in it for about 6 months out of the year and we used bottled or filtered water for everything.

You can use any tea you like for iced tea, but not all of them work well. And generally, a cheaper, stronger tea is good. Flavored teas frequently lose out in iced tea, but try 'em and see for yourself; you may like it. I like Tetley's tea for iced tea because it reminds me of being in England. Red Rose isn't bad, though.

When I'm making iced tea, I usually do sun tea (with the tea bags in the gallon glass jug), but I have also just put really hot water in the jug and thrown the tea bags in and let them steep for a day. Be sure to pre-heat the jug so you don't crack it, of course.

Also keep your tea refrigerated and drink it up within a few days. Jugs of iced tea can develop a "mother," a large, cloudy, gloppy mold that is not pleasant.

 

[galaxygoddess]

Also keep your tea refrigerated and drink it up within a few days. Jugs of iced tea can develop a "mother," a large, cloudy, gloppy mold that is not pleasant.

Given the fact that one person alone in my family can finish off a gallon in less than 2 or 3 days (3 if they've been drinking something else) that's never a problem


Lipton is horribly bitter to me, but louisane is what our family prefers in any event. I never try those weird random flavors o.0;

 

[Chantilyvamp]

Lipton is horribly bitter to me

ah lipton is my favorite of all, especially when making sun tea.

 

[tickledkitty]

I live in the Pacific Northwest and we tend to have very pure water with few particulates, so tap water's fine. But a Britta filter will work for those who like something purer. When we were stuck in Indiana, the water tasted and smelled like a dog had been washed in it for about 6 months out of the year and we used bottled or filtered water for everything.

You can use any tea you like for iced tea, but not all of them work well. And generally, a cheaper, stronger tea is good. Flavored teas frequently lose out in iced tea, but try 'em and see for yourself; you may like it. I like Tetley's tea for iced tea because it reminds me of being in England. Red Rose isn't bad, though.

When I'm making iced tea, I usually do sun tea (with the tea bags in the gallon glass jug), but I have also just put really hot water in the jug and thrown the tea bags in and let them steep for a day. Be sure to pre-heat the jug so you don't crack it, of course.

Also keep your tea refrigerated and drink it up within a few days. Jugs of iced tea can develop a "mother," a large, cloudy, gloppy mold that is not pleasant.

You're right. I should have qualified the statement about the distilled water. Our tap water is generally pretty good. I've never minded drinking it. It just doesn't make good tea. With our tap water, tea comes out a muddy, dark brown color. I put a bit of sugar in it, and the tap water tea is always stronger and more sweet for some reason, but not in a good way. Distilled water on the other hand, makes tea that is crisp and sharper flavored, and it's a lovely, clear amber color. I'm such a snob about it, I won't even drink iced tea that other people make anymore.

I am using Tetley tea bags right now because I got them on sale. They aren't bad, I guess. I've come to realize that they're not quite as strong as Red Rose, so I just use an extra bag.

I've never seen a "mother" in a pitcher of tea here. Probably because it never lasts that long. I don't make large quantities, because I would keep drinking it until it was gone and would be bouncing off the walls. I gotta admit though, a tea buzz is good for getting stuff done, like cleaning.

Well, now. Let's talk about ice cubes. I won't use homemade ice cubes in tea. (I told you I'm a snob.) I buy bags of ice and keep them in the freezer. The homemade cubes put back all the stuff that I'm trying to avoid using distilled water. I guess I could use distilled water to make the ice, but I'm too lazy, and the drive-thru is right down the street...

 

[galaxygoddess]

ah lipton is my favorite of all, especially when making sun tea.

*sigh*

Ours is a love that will never last. I'm sorry. It's not you, it's me.

 

[Chantilyvamp]

*sigh*

Ours is a love that will never last. I'm sorry. It's not you, it's me.

*giggles* We're splitting up over the tea *pouts*

 

[Weird Harold]

I happen to make SUN TEA.

I have a huge relish jar from a restaurant that I toss in 5 tea bags, I happen to like Cranberry and Lemon mixed together. I then pour in NOT QUITE boiling hot water ... and set it in the sun for 24 hours.

The whole point of making "Sun Tea" is to avoid the heat, humidity and energy costs of heating water to make tea. Depending on where you live, three to four hours is usually sufficient to brew a gallon of Sun Tea, less if you use Lipton's "Cold Brew" tea bags(which brew a gallon in about thirty minutes on pure solar energy.)

For those who like sweetened tea, listen to Carson, add the sugar or honey while the water is warm or it will never ever disolve properly.

I only use 1/2 cup of sugar for one gallon of Iced Tea. I heat one cup of water in the microwave and dissolve the sugar in that and pour the resulting "syrup" into the tea to sweeten it.

of course, if you're out and about a lot, Lipton Iced-Tea-To-Go is very handy. The Tea Snobs and sweetner paraoids will say it's just poison in single serving packets but it sure beats plain water or expensive sports drinks for staying hydrated.

 

[cloudy]

Also keep your tea refrigerated and drink it up within a few days. Jugs of iced tea can develop a "mother," a large, cloudy, gloppy mold that is not pleasant.

We drink it too quickly around here for that ever to happen. A gallon a day, easy, in the summer.

 

[neonlyte]

Open

can

Pour (Twinings)

 

[Stella_Omega]

For about four months I've been drinking cold green tea.

One gallon of water-- room temp is fine. Four teabags-- I like this fairly cheap Chinese brand, "Foojoy" Jasmine. Dump them in the water, leave it anywhere you have room- the kitchen counter is just fine. When the water is a dark straw-gold, get the bags out, maybe a half-hour to two hours, depending on the water temperature.

Drink a quarter-gallon then and there and put the rest in the fridge to drink later.

(edited to add)

The Berkeley Hospital newsletter once printed an article saying that tea is so good for you it can be one of your daily vegetables. It said that it doesn't matter what kind of tea- green or black, brewed in any way, even boiled-- and, get this-- even powdered instant tea has plenty of health benefits.

 

[carsonshepherd]

Unfortunately I had to mostly give up tea, and I LOVE tea. I drink a little green tea every day or so, instead of three or four cups of black tea a day. I don't like it with sugar and I agree distilled or bottled water is a must. Oh, tea, how I miss you.

 

[Vermilion]

Can you guys tell me why, when I travel south they always ask, sweet or unsweetened tea if its so frigging bad?

I prefer the unsweetened tea, probably since I drink regular tea straight up.

I happen to make SUN TEA.

I have a huge relish jar from a restaurant that I toss in 5 tea bags, I happen to like Cranberry and Lemon mixed together. I then pour in NOT QUITE boiling hot water (if you have any English blood in you, you know you never BOIL your water for tea) fill it to the top, put on the lid and set it in the sun for 24 hours.

For those who like sweetened tea, listen to Carson, add the sugar or honey while the water is warm or it will never ever disolve properly.

Save adding the sugar and have something sweet to eat while drinking it to cut the sweetness of the treat.

C

OK... not sure what England you're talking about, but here we use fresh water, boiled then poured quickly over the tea before it goes off the boil. You get the best flavoured tea that way.

I may not know how to make iced tea, but goddamn, I make a good cup of hot tea.
x
V

 

[3113]

For about four months I've been drinking cold green tea.

One gallon of water-- room temp is fine. Four teabags-- I like this fairly cheap Chinese brand, "Foojoy" Jasmine. Dump them in the water, leave it anywhere you have room- the kitchen counter is just fine. When the water is a dark straw-gold, get the bags out, maybe a half-hour to two hours, depending on the water temperature.

Drink a quarter-gallon then and there and put the rest in the fridge to drink later.

I have found the most heavenly tea place! They serve only high-grade Chinese teas, and they really know their stuff--even the ritual of brewing it right. If you order it hot they bring over a tiny tea pot and tea cups--and a huge earthen pot of boiling hot water. You add the steaming water to the tiny pot of lose-leaf tea, and when it's brewed to your desired color, you strain it out to a serving pitcher. A few tiny tea cups later, you add more water to the pot and pour off another batch into the serving pitcher.

Sounds like a lot of work, but it's actually very relaxing and very smart. Instead of the tea sitting in the pot brewing till it's bitter and cold, the water can be re-heated if it gets cold, and so you always have hot tea; and because you strain each batch into the serving pitcher, the tea leaves don't get leeched out (you get pot after pot), and the tea doesn't get too strong and bitter. You can enjoy fresh cup after fresh cup for hours.

They have a cold jasmine tea "on tap" that is my new favorite--light and pale gold and so refreshing!

I'd say that with however many thousands of years behind them, these folk know how to brew tea right. They offer sugar and honey, but I wouldn't dare adulterate that wonderfully pure, tea flavor--hot or cold--with sweetner. Now, of course, if we're talking hot, English tea brewed in a brown betty till its strong enough to take a layer off your tongue....that I'll temper with sugar and milk, especially if there are scones on the side

 

[SeaCat]

Okay, the way I make my tea.

I fill two Tea Balls with black tea. (Jugoslavian Black is my favorite for it's strong and somewhat bitter flavor.)

I bring a gallon of water to a boil then add the Tea Balls for several minutes. (While the water is still boiling.) I also add two cups of sugar.

I pull the Tea Balls, letting them drain into the pot, then set the pot to the side to let it cool for a bit. I then pour the Tea into a pitcher and place it in the fidge.

I pour the tea over ice in a large glass along with a nice slice of lemon.

Cat

 

[Misty_Morning]

Flavored teas were mentioned earlier...I've tried a few of the commercial ones. I guess it's just my southern upbringing that had me gagging. I bought one that I really thought i might like...raspberry flavored. YUCK!

As far as store bought ice tea...Lipton actually makes a pretty good one...they even have a "Southern Style" you can buy...extra Sweet with no lemon.

theres a relativley new one out there... Gold Peak...made by Coca-Cola. But GEEZ...nearly $2 a bottle?


And just FORGET Nestea...that shit sucks out the ass.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

Ok Mils, i learnt from Misty, and ive made LOADS in the last week, been giving it to all my neighbours and everything!

This one should help as its all in ENGLISH measurements lol (we sat there tryna figure everything out when Misty was telling me at first lol)

This is for about 2 litres of tea

Ok, what i do, is i boil about 500ml of water, take it off the heat once it comes to a rolling boil and put in 6 NORMAL (english ickle) teabags. Now ive been using Tetley, coz Misty said that's a good one. (i took the weight of the bag and divided by the no. of individual teabags to get a rough weight of each teabag, to match it up to Misty's single 7g one- i figured out it was about 5 teabags, 6 if you want it a bit stronger.

So, brew it for a few mins while you prep your container. Now, i use an empty 2 litre plastic milk bottle. I put in a little ice, and i put in the sugar i want- ive got it at about 7 tablespoons- quite sweet- so experiment!

once the tea has gone a really rich brown colour, funnel it into the container, squeeze out the teabags (i put a bit of cold water in and mix em up a little to get more flavour out, add it to the bottle then squeeze the life out of the bags). Then, put the lid on and SHAKE hard till all the sugar dissolves and the ice is mostly melted in the heat of the water, then fill up the LIQUID level (not the froth level) to the 2 litre point marked on the side of the bottle

Refridgerate and serve over ice.

After experimenting, i increased my teabags to 6 or 7 instead of 5 and my sugar level from 6 tablespoons to 7 or 8.

Mine is cloudy, i dont care, cant be bothered to add hot water and sort it out, doesnt take from the taste, so i dont mind.

I like Lipton's Ice Tea with lemon, but ive yet to try it with my home made kind- plus ive been told i'll be as good as disowned by my southern beauty over there *gestures politely*, if i do !

 

[jayce1066]

Get the waiter's attention & politely say, "Iced tea, please. No Lemon."

 

[Misty_Morning]

Get the waiter's attention & politely say, "Iced tea, please. No Lemon."

 

[Stella_Omega]

Man, I hate flavored ice tea. It seems that the whole reason for them is to mask the tea flavor and drown it in sugar. blech.

 

[nctoddmc]

Ya know what I like?


When the ice tea is still just a leeettle bit warm when you pour it in a glass over the ice and drink it.

Ya know, the way the tea seems to dance on your taste buds as the warm and cold mixes.

Misty, sounds like you know my mama! That's almost exactly the way I learned to make iced tea oh, so many years ago...yum!

We used to argue over who would get the first glass of tea poured while it was still hot...man, it's 11 pm here, and I'm gonna have to fix me some...

 

[nctoddmc]

Get the waiter's attention & politely say, "Iced tea, please. No Lemon."

No thank you! I rarely drink iced tea at restaurants, even in the South, anymore. You don't know what you're gonna get. Face it, if tea sits, it gets a little sour, especially if it has too much sugar in it.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Ah, the fond memories this brings back. I once ordered hot tea in a Waffle House in a southern state and was brought a tall plastic tumbler of sweet tea that had been microwaved.

The horror. The horror.

I'll put in a good word for iced herbal teas. I use peppermint and ginger because they help with some digestive issues I have - and thus I have discovered that iced peppermint tea is the most remarkable thing to drink when you've just come in from mowing the lawn in the summer. Liquid ice, and kind to the stomach as well.

Iced ginger tea is quite spicy, and I find it a little bitter on its own. However, when mixed with American-style lemonade (the still, yellow kind), it's wonderful stuff. I get an organic raspberry lemonade here and mix the cold ginger tea in - beautiful.

I just throw three bags into a Mason jar, pour in boiling water, put the lid on, and throw it in the fridge. I like it strong. There's usually a bottle of something chilling in there at any given moment.

 

[nctoddmc]

Ah, the fond memories this brings back. I once ordered hot tea in a Waffle House in a southern state and was brought a tall plastic tumbler of sweet tea that had been microwaved.

The horror. The horror.

I'll put in a good word for iced herbal teas. I use peppermint and ginger because they help with some digestive issues I have - and thus I have discovered that the iced peppermint tea is the most remarkable thing to drink when you've just come in from mowing the lawn in the summer. Liquid ice, and kind to the stomach as well.

Iced ginger tea is quite spicy, and I find it a little bitter on its own. However, when mixed with American-style lemonade (the still, yellow kind), it's wonderful stuff. I get an organic raspberry lemonade here and mix the cold ginger tea in - beautiful.

I just throw three bags into a Mason jar, pour in boiling water, put the lid on, and throw it in the fridge. I like it strong. There's usually a bottle of something chilling in there at any given moment.

That's hilarious, and quite true. I've seen it done as well. I know how to fix hot tea, from my grandmother, and I've seen how some people can butcher it.

I like peppermint tea sometimes, just for the ultra cool feeling as it goes down.