Of all the drinks out there in today’s world, nothing can compare to the sweet deliciousness of a large glass of sweet iced tea. To most people this may seem like a trivial matter but to those of us who were raised drinking this southern nectar it is a way of life.
Pop, soda, coke, Pepsi, coffee, lemonade, sprite, or any other drink you can think of. All of these have one thing in common; everyone knows them because they come prepackaged in shiny baubles marketed to persons of all ages. Sweet tea on the other hand can be made cheaply and quickly in large amounts and quench that summer thirst. I have been all over the United States and have noticed that once you get out of the south eastern quadrant if you ask for sweet tea you get this blank stare. Sometimes if your lucky the person you ask will be quick on their feet and suggest a raspberry or peach or even a mango tea. But what I am talking about is a normal Black and Orange Pekoe blend tea with sugar added before it cools down and ice is added. Now some will ask what’s the difference whether sugar or some form of sweetening is added while still hot. And to you I say science. If you want to dissolve anything into a liquid it will dissolve better and more thoroughly in a warm or hot liquid than a cold one. If you don't believe me try it. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of sugar in cold water and one in hot which works better for you?
Now back to the meat and potatoes of this subject. Southern sweet tea is known for a lot of sugar; that’s fine everyone’s tastes on the matter differ use a bit less. Tea like coffee is bitter, but the sugar mellows that a lot, allowing just the tea flavor to be enjoyed not the bitterness. Coffee being a very strong beverage should be used primarily first thing in the morning or for extremely late nights, but for something more subtle and refreshing try sweetened iced tea later in the day. You may find you like it.
Pop, soda, coke, Pepsi, coffee, lemonade, sprite, or any other drink you can think of. All of these have one thing in common; everyone knows them because they come prepackaged in shiny baubles marketed to persons of all ages. Sweet tea on the other hand can be made cheaply and quickly in large amounts and quench that summer thirst. I have been all over the United States and have noticed that once you get out of the south eastern quadrant if you ask for sweet tea you get this blank stare. Sometimes if your lucky the person you ask will be quick on their feet and suggest a raspberry or peach or even a mango tea. But what I am talking about is a normal Black and Orange Pekoe blend tea with sugar added before it cools down and ice is added. Now some will ask what’s the difference whether sugar or some form of sweetening is added while still hot. And to you I say science. If you want to dissolve anything into a liquid it will dissolve better and more thoroughly in a warm or hot liquid than a cold one. If you don't believe me try it. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of sugar in cold water and one in hot which works better for you?
Now back to the meat and potatoes of this subject. Southern sweet tea is known for a lot of sugar; that’s fine everyone’s tastes on the matter differ use a bit less. Tea like coffee is bitter, but the sugar mellows that a lot, allowing just the tea flavor to be enjoyed not the bitterness. Coffee being a very strong beverage should be used primarily first thing in the morning or for extremely late nights, but for something more subtle and refreshing try sweetened iced tea later in the day. You may find you like it.
1 comment:
Shut up and get to work!!!
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