Making Tea...

I like my tea strong. 12+ tea bags for 2 qts of really hot but not boiling water. I sweeten it with fruit juice, about 6 oz frozen juice concentrate: apple, grape or raspberry.

Sun teas in a 2 quart jar. 5 tea bags. close the lid.

Place outside in a sunny spot for 3 to 5 hours.. You may have to move the jar to keep it in the sun.

Southern sweet tea is at least 3/4 cup sugar per 2 quarts. My grandmother used to use 1 cup of sugar.. I used to practically get lock jaw it was so sweet.

I like to use about 1/4 cup..

We use Lipton brand.

I usually use 8 tea bags (or 2-3 family size tea bags), but I agree about the rest of the info.

Sweet tea turns out best if you mix the sugar when the tea's still hot. The sugar disolves better. At first I used 1 cup of sugar for 2 quarts. Hey, that's what the Kool Aid packet says! Wow was it sweet. Now I use 1/2 a cup. I think it's much better that way.

It's been years since I've seen the sun, so I'll skip that one! (although I used to just let water heat to simmering in metal or glass, dunk bags, done... But that was 110-120 out.

Sweet tea =

Hot / boiling water
Black tea
Brew till color looks good (different for everyone)
Sugar while tea is still hot (go by taste!)
Pinch of baking soda (promise)
Let cool in pot for 10-20 (so you don't heat your fridge)
Pour into glass container
Put in fridge

The MOST important thing is the baking soda. It 'rounds' the flavor, and keeps it from being bitter.

I make sweet tea at night, so it's cold by morning (and if you live where it's hot, you don't want to be boiling in the daytime.

I have a gallon plastic pitcher from Walmart. You cannot make my tea in a glass pitcher, it will shatter it.

I do not like a super strong tea so one lg. tea bag will usually do it for me.

To make tea:

I start 2-3 cups of water to boiling in a pan that has a lid.
I use one-two tea bags, Qt. sz., Luzianne Decaffeinated tea.

http://www.reilyproducts.com/luzianne-decaf-green-tea-24-...

Once the water starts boiling I put the tea bag in the rolling water with the paper tag outside the pan, put the lid on it, then let the tea steep for about 5-7 minutes.

I put about 1 cup of regular sugar in the bottom of the plastic pitcher. Once the tea has steeped I take the tea bag out, lay it aside or put it in the trash can then pour the hot steaming tea water over the sugar in the bottom of the pitcher. This melts the sugar instantly and makes it very sweet and yummy.

Then I hole the pitcher under the ice dispenser of the fridge and fill it up the rest of the way. If you want to add water instead that's okay too. This just makes the tea super cold super fast. I fill the pitcher at least 3/4 full. Almost to the top.

I leave it in the fridge and the ice will not fully melt for a day or so. It is super super cold.

for iced tea I have an ice tea maker and just use regular old lipton tea bags. The normal size, not the large or family size (or whatever they are called). I like a stronger tea so I use 6-7 for a 3 quart pitcher. I put about 3/4 of a cup of sugar in the pitcher without any ice, once the tea is done brewing and still hot I stir so the sugar melts.

For sun tea I'd say 6 tea bags (give or take depending on how strong you like your tea). use a glass jar (they have 'em with a spout at like wal-mart and target), fill with water (we always used tepid tap water), put tea bags in (with tags outside jar), put lid on, sit in a spot that will get full sun for a minimum of 3 hours and voila ... tea. My mom and sister always leave it unsweetened so that they can add their sweet & low or whatever, and others can have real sugar if they like.

Many of my southern friends when they make sweet tea make a simple syrup to sweeten it with. just google simple syrup and a TON of recipes pop up :)

Actually, for what it's worth, I put the bags in the tea jug, then let the faucet water get real hot, and fill up the jug. I still let it steep for a while, and it tastes very good to me.

Yep, 5 bags for a 2 quart glass jar. I like to switch it up and add a bag or two of flavored tea with the black tea (any brand). Mint or peach are my favorites. I brew it for at least 3-4 hours, just until it looks the right color. Just add sugar to taste.