Recipe for Great Decaf Tea with artificial sweetener needed.

INDIANA BONES · ‎01-01-2014

Since my Mom passed, I have not been able to make great Southern Sweet tea without sugar. Have tried everything I can think of and no one (including myself) will drink my tea. Off we go to buy 1/2 gallons at Bojangles (which uses sugar and has caffeine) which is delish but not healthy those of us with heart issues. Thanks for any suggestions as it will save me tons of $$$ better used elsewhere on my budget.

chessylady · ‎05-01-2010

Do you like artificial sweeteners? I use Steevia. I make tea in my Mr. Coffee iced tea maker and put a sweetener packet in each glass when I pour a glass. I am originally from the South and know that sugar is part of the brewing process but that is not how I do it.

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

@INDIANA BONES

My heart throws a very rare kind of PVC, so says my Cardiologsit, so like you, I must stay away from caffeine. Did a lot of research, because I've been drinking tea since the age of 4 (we were a family of tea drinkers).

I now order all of my decaf tea leaves from Upton Tea via the internet and usually purchase Decaf English Breakfast or DarjeelingTea. They also carry Decaf Apricot, a few other fruit teas and also more black teas like the English Breakfast one. Their decaf teas actually taste like something.

For artificial sweetner, I use Trader Joe's Steevia in a small see-through round container. It has a teeney plastic spoon inside. I'll tell you this about Steevia: There's Steevia and then there's Steevia. By that I mean there are many Steevia's out there with horrible after tastes.

I use the Trader Joe's small plastic bottle at home and purchase a green cardboad box at Whole Foods with packets in it, to keep in my purse. Am very happy with both. Good luck!

grandma2pkmh · ‎08-04-2013

@INDIANA BONES I was born here in the South and this is the way my mom taught me.

For 1/2 gallon sweet caffeine free tea:

1 family size bag of Lipton Decaf Tea

1/8 tspn baking soda - this makes the tea stronger and prevents cloudy tea

small boiler of water - about 2 cups of water

1/2 cup of Splenda or any sweetener that equals it

Add tea bag and baking soda to water and bring to a medium simmer for about 3 minutes.(do not boil) Turn off and either put a lid on the boiler or place a saucer on top to allow the tea to "steep" for about 10 minutes.

Fill a half gallon container about 2/3 full and add sweetener and stir. Pour the hot tea into the container(minus the tea bag). Stir and let cool so as not to melt your ice cubes.

Hope this helps. If there is Publix grocery store near you, they make a decaf tea with splenda.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

I'm going to say something that may not sit well, so calm down now.

We love good tea without sugar. Both my husband and I love the cold and crisp taste, and have drunk it that way for more than 40 years.

I'd suggest a trial run, cutting back gradually and thinking about appreciating the tea for the simple nature of it iced. Even if you can't imagine it, try it not cold turkey, but maybe sipping some occasionally.

It really is good, and seems to quench my thirst more than sweet beverages. We both like a full glass of ice, then the cool sugar free tea over it. Maybe lemon? Mint? A flavored tea? Peach tea is very good--Harney makes a great one. I love Upton teas too! Ceylon tea makes great iced tea, and Harney makes a very good caffeine free one.

Just some thoughts!

INDIANA BONES · ‎01-01-2014

@chessylady thanks so very much for such great advice. I do have a Tea Maker but was never a success with it. Going to try your version and the others here and see which the kids will drink. Funny, when they took Saccharine off the market, my Mom was 89 and stated if it killed people she would have died years prior as she only drank iced tea. Gracious thanks.

INDIANA BONES · ‎01-01-2014

@sfnative wow you are a wealth of tea information. Ironic, I grew up in a tea drinking family. Mom was from the South and made sweet tea. Dad was from Norway and put a tea bag in a cup and heated in microwave (no sugar ever). Brothers took after Dad and I took after Mom. Love tea but I drink gallons a day thus your various types of tea will be a blessing as drinking the same item gets boring. I am so excited to try various flavors. Thanks so much for assistance in where to locate everything. Your help is very much appreciated.

I do hope your heart continues to behave and not give you any frights or hospital stays!! You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

INDIANA BONES · ‎01-01-2014

@grandma2pkmh thanks so much for your assistance. This sounds like what the kids will certainly drink when they visit. Also, you make it easy enough that even I can make it. Can't wait to have DS go get items for me to try making it. For a change every often, take a "gander" at some of the other posts that sound like fun to try for a treat.

The kids will be so happy to get something that tastes CLOSE to what they granny used to have ready on the table for them when we arrived on our trip to see her. Tea was what greeted us after our long drive. Ironic what small things make precious memories.

INDIANA BONES · ‎01-01-2014

@Sooner as I Calm down (you do not know how much I smiled when I read your post)....too cute for words. Now, as I calmly key, DH is on his way to get 2 half gallons of tea from Bojangles. Honey, I doubt I will ever stop tea with sugar cold turkey but I do need to make a change since I am now disabled. Drinking (Tea not booze lol) is my past time. My weight went from 102 pounds to 120 pounds in 3 years. Also, Bojangles does not have Decaf so my heart rates Soars higher then Superman on a good day.

Ironic, you mentioned something my Mom used to do when I was a child and I had forgotten about. She grew mint plants outside by the porch. Every so often, she would get mint leaves and put it in our tea. I had forgotten all about that.

Thanks so very much for your help and more so for making me crack up with your opening statement. Cheers to you and your loved ones (toasting with a glass of tea )!!

INDIANA BONES · ‎01-01-2014

I want to graciously thank everyone for helping me HOPEFULLY be able to make some various types of tea for me and some tea the kids will enjoy also. You were so very kind to take your busy time to respond and it is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all and may all have a great holiday season.