Southern sweet tea recipe?!

How I make sweet tea is pretty simple. I use 1 regular tea bag per quart, and let the tea steep on the stove until I can't see the spoon part of a teaspoon through the tea. After removing the tea bags, I mix in a cup and a half of regular white sugar, with two table spoons of brown sugar. after getting all of the sugar dissolved, I pour the tea into a 2 gallon pitcher that is half full of ice, and then mix until all the ice is melted, and then refrigerate until it's cold.

For tea that isn't as bitter, don't allow the water to go over 200F, as that is the point when teas become bitter. For green teas, you'll want to stay under 180F as the non-fermented teas are more susceptible to "heat damage" and can set the flavors off. Generally, for tea boiling is not preferred. For reduced caffeine teas, boil a second pot of water, and then put the tea into the water for 30 to 45 seconds to remove caffeine prior to steeping in the second pot as caffeine is the most soluble substance in tea.

For a little different flavor, you can also add vanilla, mint, peppermint, or other flavors that you enjoy. Personally, I use two tablespoons of dark rum and a teaspoon of molasses to flavor my sweet tea.

As a kid in the south, the tea was my job. We used Tetley tea only. Bring a small saucepan of cold water to a boil. Turn it off, add 6 small teabags, and let steep 7 minutes. Squeeze out the bags and discard. Stir in 1/2 to one cup of white sugar until dissolved. Add this tea to enough cold water to make 1/2 gallon. You can add more sugar at this point if it's not sweet enough, but you have to stir it longer so it dissolves totaly. Chill, and serve over ice with mint sprigs, or lemon slices, or grape juice. Don't keep it overnight; it'll sour.

Remember, the water quality makes a difference in the taste. My aunt in South Carolina made tea exactly the same way, but hers was always better than ours, as we had harder water. Use bottled water if you have hard water.

Paula Deen's Sweet Tea


Ingredients:
8 cups water, divided
7 tea bags
1 cup granulated sugar
Fresh mint sprigs
Lemon wedges



Instructions:
Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a kettle. Add the tea bags and turn off the heat immediately.
Place the lid on the kettle and allow the tea to steep for 1 hour.
Remove the tea bags and pour the tea into a pitcher.
Add the sugar and stir to dissolve.
Add 4 cups cold water.
Serve over ice with a sprig of mint and a lemon wedge in each glass.

Makes 2 quarts, about 10 servings.
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Smooth Sweet Tea



Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Ready In: 3 Hours 20 Minutes
Servings: 8
"Southern sweet tea, perfect for hot summer days!"
Ingredients:
1 pinch baking soda
2 cups boiling water
6 tea bags

3/4 cup white sugar
6 cups cool water
Directions:
1. Sprinkle a pinch of baking soda into a 64-ounce, heat-proof, glass pitcher. Pour in boiling water, and add tea bags. Cover, and allow to steep for 15 minutes.
2. Remove tea bags, and discard; stir in sugar until dissolved. Pour in cool water, then refrigerate until cold.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Smooth-Swee…

I am from the south (Texas) and the best sweet tea is made by boiling water on the stove and steeping the tea bags, I think. Use ample amounts of sugar also. There is nothing really special about it besides its a very simple classic drink best served cold on a REALLY hot day.

I'm from the South.