Black Tea Decaf Flavored and Scented Tea Green Tea Herbal Imported Oolong Tea White Tea Iced Tea
We have many wonderful blends that have become popular iced tea beverages nationally and internationally. The following list of black teas, flavored black and green teas and herbal blends make terrific summertime teas.
Tea experts recommend an infusion ratio of 1 1/4 ounces tea to one gallon water (because density of teas may vary slightly, we can only suggest six tablespoons per gallon as a guide or average) as a good starting place for a tea recipe.
Note: Our three ounce sizes below are enough to make 2 1/2 gallons of iced tea. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for more on brewing iced tea!
Apricot Mist
Add to cart: 3oz $8.75 1/2# $18.75 1# $28.75
Imagine apricot blossoms in the Spring and you'll have an impression of the light fruity, floral taste of this tea blend.
Snow Berry
Add to cart: 3oz $8.95 1/2# $17.95 1# $29.75
The favorite in our offices, visitors never fail to comment on the fragrance and flavor of Snow Berry. A combination of natural berry flavors, a touch of vanilla and cinnamon in the background. Makes a great gift!
Many customers not only ask us how to make iced tea but also a few other questions that may be helpful for you.
Refreshing iced tea made with loose-leaf tea offers the greatest variety of tea temptations due to the wider selection and vast difference in quality of beverage. Any loose-leaf tea can be iced. Yes! Even green and oolong teas can be iced.
Carnelian Rose Tea's iced tea recipe makes an tea concentrate to be diluted with ice and/or cold water.
How to Quickly and Easily Steep Delicious Iced Tea:
To make a single serving of iced tea:
1. Put 2 TSP (teaspoons) of loose-leaf tea into an infuser; or a #2 T-Sac; or directly into a small pot.
2. Bring one cup of fresh, non-chlorinated water to a boil and pour over the tea.
3. Sweetener may be added while the tea is hot.
4. Steep for a minimum of five minutes (or allow to cool to room temperature).
5. Fill a pitcher or large glass 3/4 full with ice.
6. Remove the infuser or strain the tea leaves; discard leaves and pour fresh tea over the ice.
7. Sit, sip, savor.
To make a gallon of iced tea:
1. Put 8 TSP (or 1/2 cup) of loose-leaf tea into a large infuser; or 2 TSP per T-Sac; or directly into a heat-resistant, one-gallon container.
2. Bring one quart of fresh, non-chlorinated water to a boil and pour over the tea.
3. Sweetener may be added while the tea is hot.
4. Steep for a minimum or five minutes (or allow to cool to room temperature).
5. Fill a gallon-sized dispenser or Bain Marie 3/4 full with ice.
6. Remove the infusers or strain the tea leaves; discard leaves and pour fresh tea over the ice.
7. To serve individual portions, pour tea concentrate directly into glasses filled 3/4 full with ice.
8. Sit, sip, savor.
Important Tips:
If you are using T-sacs or cloth strainers, do not squeeze the tea when removing the leaves. Squeezing extracts undesirable flavors from the wet leaves.
Our local health department allows our tea concentrate to sit at room temperature for up to 8 hours before requiring refrigeration because the water has been boiled to remove bacteria. For that reason, we do not recommend "Sun Tea" or "Moon Tea" since the water may be impure.
Do all teas ice well? Not exactly - some teas have variances caused by growing conditions which change the chemistry of the tea. Tea may also turn cloudy when using hard water. Allow tea to cool to room temperature before refrigerating is a good idea, too. Has the tea become "bad" when cloudy? Of course not . . . it's just not pretty. Simply splash some boiling water into the cloudy tea and that will help.
We've listed our favorite teas for icing but it is a matter of personal preference. Experiment with your tea, add sweetener or lemon, juice, milk ... whatever suits your fancy. Tea time can be playful and pleasurable.
(Iced tea with cream?!? Of course. It becomes an iced tea latte.)