Let's Talk Tea

Let's talk tea.  If you serve tea but don't drink it, this is important so keep reading.  Most of anybody in the whole world is not as fanatical about tea as me.  I understand you don't give a rat's hindquarters about those flowering teas that open in the clear teapot.  Those are scary, for real.

Sweet tea.  Is a food that should...
be a staple in your diet.  If it's not, you are doing it wrong.  (Like radishes, but that's another day.)  The tea must be steeped, not boiled.  Steep it for 10 minutes.  If you go longer, it will get more bitter.  Over 15 minutes, it will be undrinkably bitter and give you a stomach ache.  10 minutes.  Set a timer.  Take out the bags and add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of sugar while it is still hot.  Stir it until the sugar dissolves.

Fill whatever container it's destined for with ice cubes.  Since it's going to be ice-cold very quickly, you can even break a rule and use plastic for hot.

Pour the sweetened tea over the ice in the container.  If it did end up bitter, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.  At least that is what Garden Betty says.  Haven't tried it.  If mine steeps too long, I dump it.  But I am maniacal when it comes to tea.

Steep hot tea for 4 minutes in a tea pot.

Understand the tea.  Listen to the tea.  Know it.  Live it.