“Iced tea may not have as much wisdom as hot tea, but in the summer better a cool and refreshed dullard than a steamy sweat-drenched sage - leave sagacity to the autumn!”
~Linda Solegato
It’s hard, even for me, to think about drinking hot tea in this steamy summer weather - and I’ve been known to insist on my morning cup of masala chai even on some scorching hot days! However, I also have a few iced teas that I love to brew in large batches and keep chilled in the fridge. Not only are they delicious and refreshing, but they keep me from reaching for other sugary, corn syrup-laden drinks that I know I should avoid. You can ice any of your favorite teas. If you have never tried brewing your own, teas that have a naturally sweet or minty taste are a great place to start. Another option is to mix your iced tea with some lemonade or fruit juice for a fuller consistency and sweeter taste. As you look through our store, take note of the blends marked *also delicious iced*. These are some of my favorites to have on hand. In fact, I have a pitcher of Interpretive Dance chilling in my fridge right now!
Here is an easy recipe for iced tea to get you started:
4 tablespoons of epres[h] loose tea (8 tea bags)
4 cups water
4 or more cups ice cubes
sweetener, if desired (plain ol’ sugar does the trick, or try rock sugar, raw honey or agave!)
If you are using loose tea, place it in a large infuser, such as a mesh ball or muslin bag; place tea in a large, heat-proof bowl. Heat water to appropriate temperature for the tea of your choice; pour over tea, cover and allow to steep according to the type of tea (generally 5-7 minutes). Add any sweeteners you desire at this point. Stir in enough ice to equal a total of 8 cups (2 quarts) of iced tea, pour into a pitcher and store in the refrigerator.
