Sweet Tea (Savannah: for sale, summer, water)

[Padgett2]

I think a lot depends on how long it's steeped too. It's easy to leave the bags in too long and then there's a bitterness.

I have a SIL that uses Luzianne's. After she pours up the first steeping, she puts the bags back in the pot, adds more water and brings it to a boil. I am here to tell you that it is gawdawful!! But her family seems to like it.

[ellie]

I try not to leave my tea steeping too long. Not only does it get more bitter, but it rapidly loses caffeine. And there's nothing better than a good ice tea pick-me-up on a hot afternoon after your nap.

[WanderingImport]

There is a brand called Milo's which IMO is right up there under the best sweet tea category. I haven't checked in a while, but I don't think Savannah grocers sell this stuff. (If they do, it'd more than likely be at Publix and not Kroger)

[daisiesnfreckles]

I've found that I can't leave the Luzianne teabags in for more than 3 minutes for the caffeinated and 5 minutes for the decaffeinated (had a preggo friend that was always wanting my sweet tea but minus the caffeine LOL), otherwise I'd get that terrible bitter flavor you're referring to.

[daisiesnfreckles]

Originally Posted by ellie

I've tried a couple of organic teas. They were good, but not exactly what I have in mind for perfect ice tea.

As far as minty tea, you could use a combination of black tea and spearmint teabags and see how that works.

I've had good luck making iced green tea with a little sugar. It's really good.

I'll try that with the mint...good idea.

The green tea sounds good, too!

[mrsnespy]

I guess I'm completely in a different mindset than most people. I like Lipton. And I don't drink tea hot...ever, so that's not why I prefer Lipton. I typically boil water, then add the boiling water to sugar (3/4 - 1 cup per half gallon) and add tea bags (2 large or 8 small for a gallon) and let steep for 1/2 hour.

Maybe you would all hate my tea, but it's what I grew up on and my hubby likes it. That's what really matters, right?

[City Mechanic]

Lipton is my favorite. There is of couse a better way to brew it if you have the time. Anyone heard of Sun Tea? I keep a one gallon glass container in my window sill and the slow steeping makes a very tender soft tasting tea. I only drink sweet tea (no sodas, no coffee) so you can see I go through a gallon a day. I have a coffee pot at work I make tea with but preffer the Sun Brewed tea. 1 and 3/4 cup sugar per gallon and NOTHING ELSE.

[mrsnespy]

My mom used to make sun tea and it WAS super-delicious. What is the criteria? How much tea and how long in the sun?

[TakeAhike]

If you are making a gallon and in the summer why-wouldn't-you?

Use 2/3 family size tea bags and a gallon of water. I like sun tea because it is not as strong as brewed on the stove tea but find the extra tea bags help. I allow from 2-6 hours to make sun tea, depending on type of sun available.

I have a little microwave tea/coffee pot which is good for making more than one cup of herbal tea. A milder tea suits me.

[bgnzsavnh]

Originally Posted by daisiesnfreckles

I haven't tried any, but I suppose organic versions of tea would offer more for the tastebuds, as organic versions of other things (i.e. fruits and veggies) are generally more tasty. It's worth a try. I've been meaning to try a minty sweet tea...maybe I'll use an organic blend and see if I like the difference.

Aunt Jessie always used fresh mint in her iced tea, can't get more Old South than that.
We keep some mint in the garden just for tea.........

America’s only tea farm. (http://www.bigelowtea.com/act/ - broken link)

For the real do-it-your-selfer (http://www.camelliaweb.org/kb_results.asp?ID=45 - broken link)
'Olde Savannah Tea' (http://www.camelliashop.com/tea_plant_p/21504.htm - broken link)