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Iced Sweet Tea made with Wild Maine Blueberry Black Tea

I know that sweet tea did not originate in New England, and that it is a southern staple. Luckily, a wonderful local tea business called Bar Harbor Tea Company makes a Maine blueberry black tea that takes this beverage to the next level.
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Course Drinks

Ingredients
  

  • 7-8 Black Tea Bags I used the Wild Blueberry Black Tea, but any black tea will work. If using loose tea, you will need a scant 1/4 cup of tea.
  • 2 Cups Water
  • 1 Pinch Baking Soda
  • 3/4 Cup Sugar
  • 6 Cups Cold Water
  • Lemon Slices For garnish- optional
  • Mint Sprigs For garnish- optional

Instructions
 

  • Place two cups of water into a small sauce pan. Sprinkle the baking soda into the water, and bring the water to a boil.
  • Once the water boils, take the pot off of the heat and add in the tea bags. Let steep for 15 minutes.
  • Once steeped, strain the tea bags out and discard them. Do not sqeeze them. See notes.
  • Add the 3/4 cup of sugar to the hot tea and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Place your tea mixuture into a large pitcher and add in the six cups of water.
  • Add ice, sit back and sip.

Notes

Baking Soda: Baking soda does amazing things for your tea. It helps nutralize the tannins in black tea. Tannins can sometimes make tea have that off-putting bitter taste. Most tannins are released when the tea is improperly brewed. This happens when using water that is too hot, or letting the tea steep too long. Even if you brew your tea properly, there can still be some unwanted bitterness because tea naturally releases tannins, no matter what. This trick works for black and green tea and gives you a smooth cup every time.
Straining your tea: Once your tea is done steeping in the boiling water, the recipe says to strain it. I strain mine through a very fine sieve or some cheesecloth. Make sure not to press the excess tea out of the bags. Let the tea release from your tea leaves or tea bags naturally, and do not press or squeeze them. Pressing or squeezing the bags will also release more tannins and will make your tea very bitter.