Community Chat

[chickenbutt]

I don't know if there is any stock to this, but I always heard that you don't want to bring the water all the way to a boil for tea.     The problem is that I cannot remember why - I just remember that part.  

[Harpa]

I thought that it was the longer you steep, the bitter the tea...?

I don't usually drink iced, but do make it for a crowd.

It starts with the right brand of tea, and it seems as though a generic black tea (like an Acme or store brand) is less bitter to begin with. Harney teas are also.

I throw the tea bags in the water for an infusion, bring that to a boil, steep for a few minutes, and then remove and let the tea cool.

Then add more water, sweetness, mint and/or lemon all to taste, and not too much ice.

Sun tea to me doesn't seem to have the body, and that steeps too long. But since I don't make that, I don't know if sun tea gets any bitterness.

[sunshine45]

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@Melvin-QVC wrote:

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@nana59 wrote:

I start with hot brewed tea, and add ice, but it always tastes bitter....any suggestions?  Thanks!

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In my opinion, if you let the water boil first, take it off the burner, then add your tea bags and let it sit for about 30 minutes, it's not quite as bitter.  I also used to work at a fast food restaurant that would put a spoonful of baking soda in the tea to cut the bitterness.  Has anyone ever done that?  

Melvin, Customer Care

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i do @Melvin-QVC......mentioned it in my post earlier.

[sabatini]

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@SurferWife wrote:

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@sabatini wrote:

Back when we were growing up, our mom only made iced tea in the summertime. She always added sugar & lemon, and quite often, a few sprigs of mint from the garden.

So that's how I prefer it....though I don't think I've made it for 30+ years!

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@sabatini.  I LOVE fresh mint in my iced tea, especially on a hot summer day!

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Fresh mint really does give it that added special something.

I know you're from the South, @SurferWife.

I spent a few years in the deep south back when I was a young mom, &

truly wish I'd fully embraced the culture and foods instead of just recreating/replicating the familiar.

Youth IS wasted on the young!

[Plaid Pants2]

I love sun tea.

After Mother Nature has brewed it, I set it in the fridge to cool.

I pour in to a glass, maybe add a splash of lemon juice, and never any sugar.

If I want ice tea in the winter, I use my.Mr. Coffee tea maker.

But my first preference is sun tea.

[RedTop]

2 Luzianne family size tea bags steeped 20 minutes, then add simple syrup and stir.  

[Nomorebirthdays]

My mom use to make a sweet tea concentrate, it used loose tea and sugar. It made a big jar. Kept in frig then just added the concentrate to a pitcher and filled with ice and water. I think one batch lasted all summer. I will see if I can find the recipe.

[goldensrbest]

Sun tea is good , my that brings back memories,i use to make that every day,no longer have a big glass bottle.

[gidgetgh]

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@SurferWife wrote:

Let me start by saying, I am a SOUTHERNER; therfore, I make my iced tea the correct way.  For a gallon sized pitcher I brew 5 small tea bags (or 2 large tea bags) on the stove.  I add 1/2 cup sugar (I've cut back in the amount of sugar over the years, but haven't cut out...that would be insanity) to my pitcher and pour the fresh brewed (still hot so sugar will melt) in the pitcher and stir to dissolve sugar.  I then fill remainig with cold water and refrigerate.  To serve, I fill a glass with ice and pour...then enjoy while thinking to myself...GOD BLESS THE SOUTH!

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This is how my husband, a Georgia boy, makes it also. He uses Luzianne tea bags. 

[Reba055]

The ice tea makers seemed to eliminate the bitterness of brewed tea. Also, I found Luzianne iced tea to be the best for brewing tea.