Black, Green and Oolong teas come from the same plant - Camellia sinensis - which is grown in lush climates around the world. The difference? Black and Oolong teas undergo a natural fermentation step. Green tea does not. Tea is a great source of antioxidants which help neutralize "free radicals", molecules that can damage cells. So drink to your health!

Another delicious recipe from our Family-Favorite Recipes Collection.

Perfect Brewed Iced Tea

4 regular tea bags (orange pekoe or green tea or a combination)*

2 cups fresh cold water

Water

Ice cubes

Granulated sugar or other sweetener such as Simple Syrup

Lemon slices (optional)

1. Unwrap (if necessary) and carefully slide off any paper attached to the strings of the tea bags; tie the strings together and place the bags in a heat-proof 2-quart pitcher.
2. Bring 2 cups cold water (always start with fresh cold water) to a rapid boil. Remove from heat and immediately pour over the tea bags. Steep tea for 15 minutes.
3. Remove tea bags, gently squeeze out excess liquid (being careful to not break open the bags) and discard.
4. Fill the pitcher with enough water to equal 2-quarts. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled before serving. (Or to serve iced tea immediately, add a dozen or so ice cubes to tea concentrate then fill with water to the 2-quart level.)
5. To serve, pour tea over a generous amount of ice cubes in a tall glass, stirring in desired sweetening and a squeeze of lemon, as desired.

Makes 2 quarts or 8 (1 cup) servings.

*If using loose tea, measure 2 tablespoons into a paper coffee filter and seal it tightly with a twist tie, or simply pour water over loose leaves in a small heatproof container, and when ready separate the liquid from the tea leaves using a strainer.

Variation: Add 1 flavored tea bag such as Ginger Peach, Blackberry Sage, Vanilla Almond, etc., with the orange pekoe or green tea for a decidedly refreshing change in flavor.

Tip: If you like your tea "southern-style sweet", add the amount of sugar you like to the steeped tea solution after the tea bags are removed and prior to filling with water, stirring to dissolve the sugar before adding the additional water.

Copyright Hope Pryor, please see Terms of Use. Photograph property of CooksRecipes.com.