Sweet Tea in SF?

[DMenscha]

It always gave me quite a chuckle when I ordered Tea down south, they asked me if I wanted Sweet Tea or UNsweet Tea. What????????? Tea is naturally unsweet. If you want it sweet you have to add sugar. When I was feeling a bit mischievous, I'd just repeat to the waitress, "I want tea" and play dumb as to sweet or unsweet.

[EVAunit1981]

I believe that tea used in that context refers to the drink, not the plant. It would be like just repeating "coffee" when the waitress asks you if you want milk or creamer.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by EVAunit1981

I believe that tea used in that context refers to the drink, not the plant. It would be like just repeating "coffee" when the waitress asks you if you want milk or creamer.

LOL If I want coffee, I order coffee. If I wanted it with something extra, I'd specify what extras I wanted.

I do love the cultural differences though.

[EVAunit1981]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

LOL If I want coffee, I order coffee. If I wanted it with something extra, I'd specify what extras I wanted.

True, but in the South it's assumed that "tea" refers to 1)the drink not the plant and 2)sweet tea as opposed to unsweet tea, since most people drink sweet tea.

If I asked for tea in the UK I'd get something completely different because in their culture the word tea means something different than what it does in the South.

Originally Posted by DMenscha

I do love the cultural differences though.

Can you elaborate?

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by EVAunit1981

True, but in the South it's assumed that "tea" refers to 1)the drink not the plant and 2)sweet tea as opposed to unsweet tea, since most people drink sweet tea.

If I asked for tea in the UK I'd get something completely different because in their culture the word tea means something different than what it does in the South.



Can you elaborate?

Sure, the South has their way of doing it and out West we have our way. no right or wrong, just different.

So when I order coffee, am I referring to the drink or the plant?

[katiekatmeow]

Originally Posted by EVAunit1981

Katie, you must not have ever been to TN before. Get ready for a culture shock! What part of Tn will you be moving to?

It is very easy to find tea here. Oddly enough Mexican restaurants usually have pretty good tea though I've never thought of it as a Mexican drink.

And to the person that asked about making it: it's simple. Take some tea bags, 2 of the large ones or 3 to 4 of the small ones and put them in a coffee maker. Fill the coffee pot most of the way full just like you were making coffee and pour it into the back of the coffee maker. When it's done put 2 cups of sugar and the tea into a gallon pitcher and stir. Then fill the gallon pitcher up with water and you're done!

That was the easy way. I've seen old people boil tea bags on the stove and let them seep for awhile, but that's not a method I'd reccommend for beginners!

Hi!
I am moving to the Nashville area probably...and yes - I have never been there!
We are going to take a trip soon...and I am prepared for a culture shock. Not sure what exactly it will entail...but I am ready and open to something new!

I do make sweet tea at home - it's my fave...but it is nice to go out and order tea and get it sweetened already every once and awhile!