As summer settles in, tea lovers make the switch from hot tea to iced tea. Many casual tea drinkers will also choose iced tea, though it isn't really iced - just cold. I'm talking about the many canned and bottled, ready to drink teas that are available at almost every grocery and convenience store in America.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live. John 3:16 (NIV)

There are many kinds to choose from, some of them flavored, and some of them sweetened. It's sad to think that these ready to drink teas are the only kind of iced tea that some people are familiar with when it is so easy to make your own iced tea that is far, far better than what you can buy over the counter.

You may even find ready to drink teas that proudly proclaim "Southern Style" on their labels, but I guarantee that almost everyone will enjoy the real thing much more. In the southern United States, sweet iced tea is such a traditional beverage that it is simply known as "Tea". No need to mention the sweetness, or the ice! You will find it in almost every Southerner's refrigerator, and it is usually made by the gallon. It's been called both the house wine and the champagne of the South.

Iced black tea was not popular until around 1884. Before that time, iced green tea was quite popular in the United States, usually made into a type of punch that was heavily laced with alcohol and known as Regent's Punch. However, there was also a small cluster of iced green tea lovers who preferred their tea much like the Sweet tea of today... sugar and all.

Black tea began to be enjoyed as iced tea around 1904, when samples of it were given out at the World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. Contrary to popular belief, iced tea was NOT invented by the man, Richard Blechynden, who was Tea Commissioner for India. He simply brought it to the attention of the mass of fairgoers, who probably took the memory of the delicious cold tea back home with them, and began to make it themselves at home.

Apparently, word spread about how good the iced black tea was, for it continued to grow in popularity. Special tall glasses became known as "Iced tea glasses" and spoons with long handles were "Iced tea spoons" for stirring in more sugar, of course. Iced tea became even more popular from 1920 to 1933, the years of Prohibition. Since alcoholic drinks were prohibited, people settled for iced tea, both green and black. World War 2 cut off the supply of green tea, and only black Indian tea was available. This is more than likely why the iced tea in this country was usually black - the green tea had virtually disappeared!

Southerners continued their love affair with sugary iced tea while the rest of the country seemed to drift away from it somewhat. When they did drink iced tea, it was usually unsweetened, with lemon, or very, very lightly sweetened... nothing like the syrupy sweet sweet tea that Southerners preferred. Every once in a while Southerners would squeeze a slice of lemon into their tea to cut the sweetness just a bit, but the use of lemon depended on whether or not the tea was enjoyed by itself, or along with food.

And even today, Southerners are quite loyal to their sweet tea. Even if you have never tried sweet tea, and are used to "Yankee" or unsweetened tea, you should try your tea Southern style at least once. You might surprise yourself and find out that you prefer it that way!

There are several ways you can make Southern Sweet tea. All of these ways end up tasting about the same, but some are a little quicker to make than others are. And, it seems that every Southern cook has their own way of making their sweet tea, and each individual thinks that their way is the only way! I'm not sure if thinking like that is a Southern tradition like the tea is, but it could very well be! Sometimes, the best recipe for sweet tea turns out to be a combination of more than one recipe! So, if you would like to experience "a little tea with your sugar" , read on!

Start with a good black tea. It does not have to be specially labeled as being for iced tea as some brands are. Any quality black tea, orange pekoe preferred, will do. Some people prefer to use tea in bags, while others would not think of using anything but loose tea. Loose tea does seem to impart more of a tea flavor to sweet tea. Use the best water - preferably not tap water! Spring water or even filtered water makes a much better sweet tea.

Here is one way to prepare sweet tea that is a little unusual, but makes a very good sweet tea. Use three "family size" or 8 regular sized teabags, or an equal amount of loose tea. Place the tea bags in cold water - about 2 and a half cups - and bring to a boil. That's right - boil tea and all. Let it boil for around 2 minutes. You may have to lower the heat so that the tea does not boil over. When 2 minutes have passed, turn off the heat and let the tea steep for around 10 minutes. In the meantime, prepare your tea pitcher.

Place 1 1/2 to 2 cups of sugar in a good sized pitcher. Add around 2 cups of cold water. When the tea is done steeping, remove the tea bags or pour the tea through a strainer to remove the tea leaves. You may want to use a separate pitcher for this. Once strained, pour the tea into the pitcher containing the sugar and water, and stir vigorously to combine. You may have to add a little more water to get it just right. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator until serving time.

A more common way to prepare sweet tea is as follows. Place your tea (around the same amount as above) into an empty gallon size glass jar. Pour in about 3 cups of freshly boiled water. Allow the tea to steep for 8 to 10 minutes. Add sugar (same amount as above) to the hot tea and stir to dissolve. Add enough water to double the amount of liquid that is already in the jar. Stir to mix, and refrigerate until cold. Serve.

Once you have tasted Southern Sweet Tea, there just may be no going back for you!

Jon Stout is Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about Iced Tea and green tea go to the Golden Moon Tea web site

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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