Sweet tea? (Columbia, Charleston, Clemson: home, schools, university)

[magrack]

Like everyone else who makes sweet tea, my recipe works for me and everyone around here seems to like it.

12 regular bags of Lipton tea in a quart container with 1 1/4 cup of Splenda.

Pour boiling water over the tea and Splenda and let seep for 7 minutes. (like posted above, the "sugar" must be part of the boiling mix)

Remove tea bags and squeeze real hard over the container to capture all the tea.

Transfer mixture to gallon container filled with ice to cool tea quickly. Add water to make one gallon.

Some folks say Splenda leaves a slight after taste, but no one has caught me at it yet, even the people who don't use lemon in their sweet tea.

I love sweet tea made with real sugar, but I try to limit my sugar intake, and this makes a pretty good brew.

[carolinajack]

I make it like i learn to make it from mom and grandmom, brewing tea and sugar, sometime I make a simple syrup and crush peppermint leaves

[magrack]

Originally Posted by aerhardt

There was a time when you just couldn't find unsweetened tea down here - but with people moving around and diets we now have both... But when we (southerners) visit up north - they look at ya like you're crazy when you order sweet tea - '' there's sugar on the table sweetie'' - well, it aint the same... :-)

You got that right, and I pity the people who don't know the difference.

[Figment 07]

Originally Posted by magrack

You got that right, and I pity the people who don't know the difference.

HUGE difference.

Just because I love South Carolinians so much (and all who appreciate good, strong sweet tea), I will reveal the heretofore closely-held secret of my own tea:

I use only Red Rose brand regular black tea.

You can buy it online or find it in the coffee/tea section at your local Publix grocery store. Look for the blue box. Open the box, close your eyes and inhale for an out-of-body experience that will instantly transport you below the Mason-Dixon line to a Southern grandmother's kitchen.

[carolinajack]

actually Magrack:

we have always been able to find unsweetened tea, since tea starts out unsweetened we dont buy it in a jug, we make it ourselves and you have to add the sugar or leave it out for unsweetened tea.

I have always been able to find it sweetened and unsweetened out at restuarants here in SC, and other places throught the south.

always drank it both ways

[magrack]

True, here also. My wife drinks hers unsweetened, and I drink sweet tea, except when I make it at home, I use Splenda (recipe above).

When you get out of the southern states, and order sweet tea, they generally don't have a clue what you mean.

Many think adding sugar to unsweetened tea makes it "sweet tea", but we know better 8>).

[getmeoutofnj]

I agree, its not the same adding the sugar to already COLD tea.

Now, Im no expert but I know a couple of things which can make or break.

Number 1 is the brand of tea you use. It makes a big difference. {Thanks for the recommendation Figment!} My mom LOVES red rose too. I also like tetley but I might play around with other brands this summer. Anyone here use luzianne?

Number 2, if you let the teabags steep too long it can become bitter.

Number 3, someone already said, be sure to add the sugar while its hot, or make a simple syrup.

[carolinajack]

once when i was in college in New England in February, I ordered iced tea and they told me it was out of season. I said whaaaaaaa???

ok give me hot tea, a glass with ice and I will show you how to make iced tea.

what the heck kind of tea did they think iced tea was???

[tgava]

Originally Posted by aerhardt

But when we (southerners) visit up north - they look at ya like you're crazy when you order sweet tea - '' there's sugar on the table sweetie'' - well, it aint the same... :-)

No, it's no the same at all. Not only does the sugar not dissolve in cold tea, it doesn't taste anything like it.

[tgava]

magrack: Thank you. I tried another recipe this past weekend but it wasn't that good. I'm going to try yours later today.

Figment 07: Red Rose you say? Gotta run to the grocery store before I try magrack's recipe.

getmeoutofnj: When we were in SC I had sweet tea everyday but the one I liked best was from a gas station called El Cheapo (pretty funny) and it was Luzianne tea. Unfortunately I can't seem to find it here in NJ. I also tried the one from McDonald's because it was right across the street from our hotel ... I didn't like that at all. It was sickeningly sweet.