Iced Tea – A fabulous Drink For Hot Weather
My mother is the iced tea queen. She doesn’t seem completely without a tall glass mostly full of ice and somewhat full of tea in one or both of her hands. The tall tea glass is her scepter. She holds it very elegantly and takes little, dainty sips. Watching Mom drink her iced tea is one of the ways I know I am home. And my Mom isn’t the only iced tea queen – perhaps you know of one.
An American Original
In the late 1800’s, iced tea recipes began appearing in American cookbooks. However, none of those cookbooks went national or were widely distributed. Iced tea’s coming out party was at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, where it was a hit. It has just been growing in popularity ever since, especially now that refrigeration has improved. Centuries ago, having ice cubes in the house during summer was unthought of. It is especially popular as a summertime drink.
Iced tea never caught on in other countries, although it can be found if you look hard enough. The English and Irish raise their children on hot tea, so the taste of watered down cold tea is a bit of a shock. America and some parts of South America are really the only countries that have actively embraced this distinctive tea into their daily lives.
Cold Vs Hot Tea
To make iced tea, you make a pot of regular tea, or even green matcha tea, add a sweetener, mix it in a pitcher and fill with cold water. The usual ratio of tea to cold water is about one to three. When drinking, don’t expect the full flavor of cooled off hot tea. Iced tea basically tastes like tea-favored water – however, it’s incredibly refreshing. Lots of iced tea queens like my Mom like to add fresh slices of lemon or lime in their tea. Some like to add a sprig or fresh mint as well. This mix is usually served over a generous glass full of ice. Never add milk!
There has been on the market instant iced tea powders, but they are far inferior in taste quality to the real thing. Also, you have no control over the amount of sweetener, artificial flavorings or preservatives added to the mix. There are sugar-free versions, and they are truly frightening. If you love Kool-Aid, however, you will most likely enjoy instant tea mixes. A real iced tea queen never drinks instant, but always cooled off real tea mixed with water. And don’t try fooling them – they know.
