ISO Sweet Tea recipe

[elaine l]

Originally Posted by kitchenelf

Well UB, this is our first disagreement!

NEVER, ever squeeze your tea bags. This releases too much acid and it turns the tea bitter.

I can't really elaborate more as I am now at work - will get back to this later but wanted to interject that tidbit - I'm sure we're still friends UB

Ahhhh your the one that said "don't squeeze the tea bags!" I remember it from last summer and I'll have you know I have not squeezed a tea bag since. I have been making ice tea all summer and loving it. TY

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Kitchenelf

NEVER, ever squeeze your tea bags. This releases too much acid and it turns the tea bitter.

Interesting...So after brewing/steeping in boiling (or almost boiling) water for 5-10 minutes...Some have said 20 or 30 minutes...Why is the liquid inside the tea bag any different than the liquid outside the tea bag?? Does the tea bag have the capacity to hold in tannins??

[LadyCook61]

It makes the tea bitter and astringent .

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by LadyCook61

It makes the tea bitter and astringent .

What does??? The tannins inside the tea bag that are only mysteriously released upon squeezing???

[babetoo]

[quote=Uncle Bob;656293]Interesting...So after brewing/steeping in boiling (or almost boiling) water for 5-10 minutes...Some have said 20 or 30 minutes...Why is the liquid inside the tea bag any different than the liquid outside the tea bag?? Does the tea bag have the capacity to hold in tannins??[/quote

right on uncle bob, squeezing a tea bag may be a southern thing. do u think. i grew up on tenn.

babe

[Maverick2272]

Seriously, this just sounds like iced tea to me. To me iced tea has sugar and lemon in it. Sweet tea I was told had other things in it to sweeten it, not just sugar. Like honey and/or molasses or something?
And you're not supposed to 'dip' your tea bags either as it makes them bitter. I have always wondered about that stuff, why it makes it bitter?

[Mama]

right on uncle bob, squeezing a tea bag may be a southern thing. do u think. i grew up on tenn.

babe

Not so sure about it being a southern thing. I don't sqeeze tea bags either.

[letscook]

I have always made sweet tea by making a simple syrup:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water

In a small saucepan heat the sugar and water and bring to a boil. When the sugar is completely dissolved remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate, covered, for up to 1 week.

then make your tea and add syrup till desired sweetness.

[Elf]

When you Google Sweet Tea the recipes call for an 1/8 to /4 baking soda, does that counter the tannins in the tea?
Also why do you put the sugar in after you dilute and cool the tea, wouldn't it make more sense to add the sugar to hot liquid?

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Elf

When you Google Sweet Tea the recipes call for an 1/8 to /4 baking soda, does that counter the tannins in the tea?
Also why do you put the sugar in after you dilute and cool the tea, wouldn't it make more sense to add the sugar to hot liquid?

"They" say a little baking soda off sets the tannins a little. Also, I have read where it prevents the tea from becoming cloudy! I personally don't know of anyone that puts baking soda in tea. IMO it's much-a-do about nothing!

When you put the sugar in, and in what form, (granulated or simple syrup) is not critical...Obviously the sugar would disovle better in warmer water...
It's a really simple process...HTH

Have Fun & Enjoy....Oh, and make mine unsweetened!!