Brewing Sweet Tea
Sweet tea is a refreshing, comforting and delicious beverage enjoyed by many. Whether you’re from the South or not, everyone can enjoy a perfectly brewed glass of iced sweet tea. Here is how you can make your own!
1. Start With High Quality Tea and Water
The best sweet tea is made with high quality ingredients. Look for tea with a bold flavor profile, such as black tea, oolong tea, or pu’erh tea. Avoid using green tea because it will not have the same depth of flavor.
Similarly, it is important to use fresh, filtered water. Tap water can have a prominent flavor due to the chemicals used to purify it, so opt for something that is tasteless.
2. Measure Tea and Water
To achieve the best flavor, you should measure your tea and water. For 2-3 quarts of tea, 4 tablespoons of loose tea or 6-8 tea bags should be enough. This ratio of tea to water will account for the sweetness of the sugar added later on.
3. Boil Water and Steep Tea
Once you have measured the tea and water, it’s time to boil the water. Boil the water for about 3 minutes and then add the tea. Steep the tea for about 5-10 minutes, depending on the strength you prefer.
4. Sweeten Tea
Once the the tea is finished steeping, remove the tea bags or strain the loose tea leaves. Then you can add the sugar. The amount of sugar you need depends on preference, so you may need to add more or less than the 4-6 tablespoons recommended.
5. Chill Tea
Once the tea is sweetened, it’s time to chill it. The best way to do this is to pour the tea into a container with a lid and place it in the fridge. Let it cool for 6-8 hours before serving.
Conclusion
Brewing the perfect glass of iced sweet tea is easy once you know the steps! Remember to use high-quality tea and water, measure the ingredients, steep the tea, sweeten, and chill. Enjoy your sweet tea!
