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)
- Unwrap (if necessary) and carefully pull
off any paper tags and tiny metal staples attached to the strings
of the tea bags; tie the strings together and place the bags
in a heat-proof 2-quart pitcher.
- 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.
- Remove tea bags and discard.
- 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.)
- 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 mesh strainer.
Variations:
- For Southern-Style Sweet Tea: Add 1/2
to 1 cup sugar...or the amount of sugar you prefer... to the
steeped tea concentrate after the tea bags are removed and prior
to filling with water, stirring to dissolve the sugar before
adding the additional water.
- 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.
Copyright Hope Pryor, please see Terms
of Use. Photograph by Hope Pryor; property of CooksRecipes.com.
