Iced Tea

Favoring Iced Tea

If they are giving out awards for the person who loves iced tea the most, they would probably choose a lot of the mothers. An image of my mother doesn’t seem complete if she is not holding a tall glass of of one of her favored iced tea recipes in one or both of her hands.  The tea glass becomes her scepter.She holds it very elegantly and takes dainty, small sips.  Whenever I go home, watching my mother drink her iced tea is the one thing that makes me feel that I am home indeed.And my Mom isn’t the only one who favors iced tea recipes – you probably know of several others.

An American Favorite

Iced tea recipes began appearing in American cookbooks in the late 1860s. These cookbooks were not distributed well. Iced tea became a big hit when it was served during the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. It has grown in popularity ever since, due to the advent of developments in refrigeration. Iced tea recipes have become especially popular as a drink during summer.

The popularity of iced tea recipes in the States never caught on in other countries. English and Irish children are generally raised on hot tea, so the taste of watered down cold tea may be different for them. The United States and some parts of South America are really the only countries that have actively embraced iced tea recipes as part of their lives.

Cold Vs Hot

To make iced tea, you make a pot of regular tea, add a sweetener (this could be optional), mix it in a pitcher and fill with cold water.  The usual ratio of tea to cold water is about one to three.  Since served over ice, iced tea does not give you the full flavor of cooled off hot tea.  While some may say that iced tea recipes are just like tea-favored water, it is   however, incredibly refreshing.  Lots of people who favor iced tea recipes such as adding fresh slices of lemon or lime in their tea.Still others like to add a fresh sprig of mint too.

While some people may prefer it, most people who love iced tea never put any milk in it.
Iced tea powders are quite inferior to the taste of the real thing, although they are quicker to find in supermarkets. The disadvantage of powdered tea mixtures is that you have no control over the amount of sweetener, artificial flavorings or preservatives added into it.But if you love Kool-Aid, however, you will most probably enjoy instant tea mixes.A real iced tea gourmand would never drink instant tea, but always cooled off real tea mixed with water.  If you try to fool them with instant iced tea recipes, you will never succeed. They always taste the difference.

How to Make Iced Tea

Keurig B60 Special Edition Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System …

Keurig B40 Elite Brewing System $89.99 The Elite Brewing System is Keurig’s gourmet home brewing made affordable. The Elite Brewing System, the most affordably priced Keurig kitchen brewing system, offers K-Cup® coffee, tea and hot cocoa brewing as the elite choice to any drip coffee maker. The Elite offers two cup sizes for brewing options with the programmable feature of Auto Off. The 48-ounce removable water reservoir holds up to 6…

Creativeware 3-Gallon Unbreakable Beverage Dispenser $23.99 Three gallon unbreakable beverage dispenser is made of the same material used to make bulletproof glass. Carefree entertaining indoors and outdoors….

Big Ol’sweet Iced Tea $13.43 DVD-Big Ol Sweet Iced Tea by Renfroe Anita…

Rocky’s Companion $1.99 …

MEN $1.99 …

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Mantyke Figure Set $0.99 3″ collectible figure. Officially licensed product….

Dollhouse Miniature 3-Pc. Iced Tea Set $9.99 A perfect thirst quencher, at any time of year. Check out this product in use, just take a look at our Summer 2009 cover and learn how Sally Cook-Thomas used it to create a beautiful, inviting patio scene. Simply click Summer 2009 Cover…

WeGlow International 6.75 Iced Glass Cylinder – Glittler Snowflake $17.99 …

SWEET TEA Concession Decal iced tea ice sign cart stand $12.98 This decal is printed on premium grade exterior vinyl perfect for outdoor use for 5+ years or will look great inside. All decals are die cut into the shape of the design and most are supplied with application film for easy installation. These will stick to any smooth surface – aluminum, glass, stainless steel, wood or plexiglass. All sizes are approx. You can’t go wrong with a Giant Graphic’s deca…