What a terrific surprise to have April weather in February! I think mother nature’s paying Florida back for last year’s coldest winter in eighty years. Last week with temps soaring into the upper 70s/low 80s I scrambled happily back into my sandals, which never were put away, just passed by, waiting patiently. (This is Florida, and to put sandals away might be criminal or at least very poor judgment.)
Along with my sandals, I needed iced tea. I’m a purist and brew my own. None of that stuff called iced tea in a plastic jug from the grocery is acceptable. As I brewed my first five or so pitchers, it occurred to me to share how to make really good iced tea. I’ve perfected my method over a few years.
Supplies:
7-8 tea bags (or loose equivalent)
4 cup glass or ceramic container (I use a large measuring cup)
8 cup glass or ceramic pitcher
Teapot to heat water
I make a quantity of 8 cups. Use glass or ceramic; plastic can transfer a host of undesired tastes. Prepare your pitcher with four cups of ice cubes. In a separate container, steep the tea in four cups of freshly boiled water for five minutes. Timing is critical--set a timer! Immediately, remove the tea bags or strainer of loose tea and pour the hot tea over the ice cubes. Trust me, it won’t crack the glass. Stir to speed the cooling. Flash cooling is the secret to stop the brewing before there’s time for the tea to get bitter and cloudy.
As for varieties of tea, I generally use loose tea and like to blend my own varieties. Ones I especially like:
Assam mixed with green or white chain gives a nice malty black flavor which complements the spice
Any quality black tea with an orange herbal tea is very refreshing
Masala chai from Teavana makes a nice full-bodied spicy, black iced tea
Sadaf Special Blend with Earl Grey is a wonderful variety from Sri Lanka that makes delicious iced black tea with a flowery hint of bergamot
Note on blending: If I add a green or herbal tea with a black, I don’t decrease the amount of black. I like my black tea to have plenty of body.
What are your favorite iced teas? Please share. I always love to learn about new ones.
