Uniquely Delicious Iced Tea

Tea is a beverage made by infusing or steeping leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) in hot water. It is the second most popular beverage in the world; only water is rated higher.

Tea contains small quantities of polyphenols (tannic compounds), vitamins, minerals, and aromatic oils. The tannins and oils are primarily responsible for the color, flavor, and astringency of tea. Tea also contains small amounts of caffeine, a stimulant, and flavonoids, antioxidants that may play a role in reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and several forms of cancer.

The word "tea" is likely derived from a Chinese provincial pronunciation of the plant, "tay", which is also the preferred pronunciation by many European languages. The tea trade originated in China, though today tea is also widely grown in Indonesia, India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka.

There are three main categories of tea: green, black, and oolong. White tea is also becoming increasingly available. All four types are made from the same plant species. Red (rooibos) tea is fermented like black tea, but is from a different plant and, like herbal teas, technically not a type of tea simply because is it not made from the leaves of a tea plant.

Information courtesy of Omnimystery: Tea.

The information we provide here assumes approximately 1 gallon (128 ounces) of iced tea will be prepared. We use a simple plastic 1 gallon pitcher for the iced tea we make, but any container large enough to hold this amount and fit in your refrigerator will work.

Most tea manufacturers recommend that tea be steeped several minutes. To properly steep tea, boiling water is poured into a cup to warm it then discarded. The cup is refilled with boiling water and then a tea bag or loose tea in a tea ball is introduced into the cup. After several minutes, the tea bag is discarded or the tea ball removed. This process is fine for a single cup of tea, but impractical for preparing iced tea.

It turns out that a standard drip coffee maker can be used to brew iced tea with near perfect results. Note: Never brew tea in a coffee maker that has been used to make coffee. Even the smallest grains of coffee can impart a bitter flavor to tea. Always use a separate coffee maker to brew iced tea.

Coffee maker manufacturers define a cup to be 5 ounces. Thus, a 12-cup coffee maker will make 60 ounces of coffee (or in our case, brewed tea). We're going to make approximately 1 gallon of iced tea by running the coffee maker twice (which will produce 120 ounces of brewed tea).

Always use a filter or strainer when making iced tea. It may seem redundant when using tea bags, but it does make a difference.

Some believe that loose tea is better for brewing tea than tea bags, but we don't notice much difference, especially when the tea bags are individually wrapped. And the fact that tea bags are so much easier to deal with, we strongly recommend using tea bags when brewing iced tea.

Select 6 tea bags and arrange them evenly in the drip basket of the coffee maker. Pour 12 cups of cold water into the tank and turn the machine on. The water will drip through the bags producing a dark, richly colored and flavored pot of brewed tea. As soon as the cycle is complete, pour the freshly brewed tea into a pitcher and immediately brew a second pot. Do not change or alter the tea bags in any way. The second pot of brewed tea will be lighter in color than the first; this is expected. When the cycle is complete, pour the second pot of brewed tea into the pitcher that contains the first pot. If possible, immediately refrigerate.

It is important that the brewed tea be poured into the pitcher as soon as possible after brewing and not be allowed to sit on the coffee maker heating element. If it does remain for any length of time, it may be necessary to pour the brewed tea through a filter to remove the residue that forms before adding it to the pitcher.

Here is the secret to making uniquely delicious iced tea. Create your own blend of teas to brew. We've experimented with hundreds of combinations and tried them out on family and friends to get their feedback. Here's what we came up with:

Of the 6 tea bags used to brew 2 gallons of perfect iced tea, choose 4 of them to be a robust, black tea such as English Breakfast tea or English Afternoon tea. Choose 1 of them to be a green tea, and choose one to be lightly flavored tea.

When it comes to flavored tea, it's easy for the added flavors to overpower the subtle flavors of the tea itself. We strongly recommend that no more than 1 flavored tea bag be used in this recipe.

Some winning combinations that we favor (by brand of tea):

Bigelow:

4 bags English Breakfast Tea or English Teatime Tea
1 bag Green Tea
1 bag White Tea with Tangerine

4 bags English Breakfast Tea or English Teatime Tea
1 bag Green Tea
1 bag Darjeeling Tea

4 bags English Breakfast Tea or English Teatime Tea
1 bag Chinese Oolong Tea
1 bag Green Tea

Numi:

4 bags Breakfast Blend Black Tea
1 bag Gunpowder Green Tea
1 bag Jasmine Green Tea

2 bags Breakfast Blend Black Tea
2 bags Chinese Breakfast Black Tea
1 bag Gunpowder Green Tea
1 bag Jasmine Green Tea

Stash:

4 bags English Breakfast Tea or Irish Breakfast Tea
1 bag Premium Green Tea
1 bag Fusion Green and White Tea

4 bags English Breakfast Tea or Irish Breakfast Tea
1 bag Premium Green Tea
1 bag Jasmine Blossom Green Tea

4 bags English Breakfast Tea or Irish Breakfast Tea
1 bag Premium Green Tea
1 bag Fusion Honey Ginseng and White Tea

Twinings

4 bags English Breakfast Tea or English Afternoon Tea
1 bag Green Tea
1 bag Jasmine Green Tea

4 bags English Breakfast Tea or English Afternoon Tea
1 bag Green Tea
1 bag Darjeeling Tea

4 bags English Breakfast Tea or English Afternoon Tea
1 bag Green Tea
1 bag China Oolong Tea

These are sample combinations only. Make it unique! Create your own blend of tea for your own enjoyment or to serve to your guests. You'll be surprised at how delicious a unique blend of iced tea can be!

Your local grocery store will typically have a large selection of teas. We would recommend not purchasing generic tea (such as Lipton) as it tends to produce a weak bodied and less flavorful tea. The cost to brew 2 gallons of uniquely delicious tea using the teas we recommend will be only pennies more than if generic tea is used and you'll taste the difference immediately.

And if you drink as much iced tea as we do, purchasing in bulk from Amazon.com will save you plenty! For example, a package of 120 individually wrapped Twinings tea bags costs less than $16 at Amazon.com, or just 13 cents per bag. 2 gallons of uniquely delicious iced tea using our recommended blends of Twinings teas will cost less than 80 cents! (Sign up for automatic reorders from Amazon.com and save an additional 15% with free shipping, an unbeatable value.)

Bigelow
English Breakfast Tea

Bigelow: English Breakfast Tea

Case of two boxes, each containing six 20-count boxes of English breakfast tea (total of 240 tea bags). Rich black English breakfast tea. Gluten free, with no calories and no carbohydrates; Kosher Parve. An excellent source of healthy antioxidants. Blended and packaged in the U.S.A.

Bigelow
English Teatime Tea

Bigelow: English Teatime Tea

Case of two boxes, each containing six 20-count boxes of English teatime tea (total of 240 tea bags). Rich black tea, invigorating in the best English tradition. Gluten free, with no calories and no carbohydrates; Kosher Parve. An excellent source of healthy antioxidants. Blended and packaged in the U.S.A.

Bigelow
Chinese Oolong Tea

Bigelow: Chinese Oolong Tea

Case of two boxes, each containing six 20-count boxes of Chinese fortune oolong tea (total of 240 tea bags). Oolong tea with a smooth taste and distinctive flavor. Gluten free, with no calories and no carbohydrates; Kosher Parve. An excellent source of healthy antioxidants. Blended and packaged in the U.S.A.

Bigelow
Darjeeling Blend Tea

Bigelow: Darjeeling Blend Tea

Case of two boxes, each containing six 20-count boxes of Darjeeling blend tea (total of 240 tea bags). Darjeeling is the champagne of black teas -- rich and fragrant. Gluten free, with no calories and no carbohydrates; Kosher Parve. An excellent source of healthy antioxidants. Blended and packaged in the U.S.A.

Bigelow
Green Tea

Bigelow: Green Tea

Case of 12 boxes, each containing 20 tea bags (total of 240 tea bags). Hand-picked green tea grown in higher-elevation gardens. Gluten free, with no calories and no carbohydrates; Kosher Parve. An excellent source of healthy antioxidants. Blended and packaged in the U.S.A.

Bigelow
White Tea with Tangerine

Bigelow: White Tea with Tangerine

Case of two boxes, each containing six 20-count boxes of white tea with tangerine tea (total of 240 tea bags). Fine white tea blended with tangerine. Gluten free, with no calories and no carbohydrates; Kosher Parve. An excellent source of healthy antioxidants. Blended and packaged in the U.S.A.

Numi Tea: Chinese Breakfast
Yunnan Black Tea

Numi Tea: Chinese Breakfast, Yunnan Black Tea

Case of six boxes, each box containing 18 double-chambered tea bags (total of 108 tea bags). Made from pure, 100% natural Yunnan black tea. Certified organic, fair trade, and kosher. Lean, vibrant flavor; clean, with a slight floral scent; enjoy with meals. Tea is packaged with 100% post-consumer waste; tea bags are made from 100% natural, fully biodegradable filter paper.

Numi Tea: Morning Rise
Breakfast Blend Black Tea

Numi Tea: Morning Rise, Breakfast Blend Black Tea

Case of six boxes, each box containing 18 double-chambered tea bags (total of 108 tea bags). Made from 100% natural Ceylon, Assam, Keemun, and Darjeeling black teas. Certified organic, fair trade, and kosher. A hearty morning tea; smooth, with a refreshing aroma and floral notes. Tea is packaged with 100% post-consumer waste; tea bags are made from 100% natural, fully biodegradable filter paper.

Numi Tea: Temple of Heaven
Gunpowder Green Tea

Numi Tea: Temple of Heaven, Gunpowder Green Tea

Case of six boxes, each box containing 18 double-chambered tea bags (total of 108 tea bags). Made from pure, 100% natural Gunpowder green tea. Certified organic, fair trade, and kosher. Well-rounded, full-bodied flavor; an ideal evening drink. Tea is packaged with 100% post-consumer waste; tea bags are made from 100% natural, fully biodegradable filter paper.

Numi Tea: Monkey King
Jasmine Green Tea

Numi Tea: Monkey King, Jasmine Green Tea

Case of six boxes, each box containing 18 double-chambered tea bags (total of 108 tea bags). Made from 100% natural green tea and jasmine flowers. Certified organic, fair trade, and kosher. Subtly fragrant, with a floral sweetness; enjoy with meals. Tea is packaged with 100% post-consumer waste; tea bags are made from 100% natural, fully biodegradable filter paper.

Stash
English Breakfast Tea

Stash: English Breakfast Tea

Stash English Breakfast combines top quality black teas from premier tea gardens, including bright Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka, malty assam and smooth nilgiri teas from India, and full-bodied keemun from China. The result is a very distinctive, strong, rich tea.

Stash
Irish Breakfast Tea

Stash: Irish Breakfast Tea

Stash Irish Breakfast Tea blends the strongest, most robust black Assam teas. The result is a dark brown, tippy leaf that brews up a deep red liquor with a hearty, malty, rich flavor.

Stash
Premium Green Tea

Stash: Premium Green Tea

Green tea is steamed fresh from the garden, preserving its color and natural flavor, leaving it rich in antioxidants. Stash Premium Green is a gentle, contemplative drink blended from top-quality green tea leaves. It brews up golden in the cup, with a slightly sweet flavor.

Stash Fusion
Green and White Tea

Stash Fusion: Green and White Tea

Stash Fusion Green and White Tea begins with mutan white (or white peony), which is made from the leaves of the "sai bai" or "big white" bush, and mixed with buds from the "shui hsien" or "water sprite" tea plant. The leaves have silver tips, and are predominantly greenish-brown in color and very flat. The buds are lustrous, soft and silvery. White tea is full of potent antioxidants and may even be more beneficial than green tea. This white tea is blended with sencha green tea from Japan, osmanthus green tea from China, Assam green tea from India, Darjeeling green tea from India, and organic green tea from Sri Lanka. The resulting tea is pale gold in the cup and has a uniquely delicate and smooth flavor.

Stash
Jasmine Blossom Green Tea

Stash: Jasmine Blossom Green Tea

Stash Jasmine Blossom Tea combines the finest China green teas with fragrant jasmine blossoms for a perfume-like bouquet and a delicate, flowery taste. Jasmine Blossom Tea has downy silver tips, and most of the spent jasmine blossoms have been removed. It has an intoxicating aroma and a balanced and delicate flavor.

Stash Fusion
Honey Ginseng and White Tea

Stash Fusion: Honey Ginseng and White Tea

Stash Fusion Honey Ginseng and White Tea blends rare, delicate white tea with South African honeybush, a light touch of natural honey flavor, and a finish of ginseng. A beautiful amber in color, this tea is light yet complex.

Twinings
English Breakfast Tea

Twinings: English Breakfast Tea

A rich and satisfying robust tea, traditionally blended with Kenyan and Assam black teas. Individually wrapped. Twinings English Breakfast Tea was originally blended to complement the traditional, hearty English Breakfast, from which its name derives. The refreshing and invigorating flavor makes English Breakfast one of the most popular black teas to drink at any time or occasion - not just for breakfast. English Breakfast can be enjoyed with or without milk, sweetened or unsweetened - the choice is yours.

Twinings
English Afternoon Tea

Twinings: English Afternoon Tea

A medium-bodied blend of Keemun and Ceylon black teas with full flavor. First started as a much needed refreshment between lunch and dinner, afternoon tea is now an important fixture of British life. Twinings English Afternoon Tea is bright in color with a brisk and refreshing flavor. Perfect as an afternoon pick-me-up or whenever you need a little revitalizing.

Twinings
China Oolong

Twinings: China Oolong

A slightly sweet and delicate tea with a reddish color. Oolong teas are principally sourced from China and mainly from the Fujian Province. It is said that Oolong tea first began to be produced at Mount Wu Yi Shan in Fujian Province at the end of the Ming Dynasty about 400 years ago. Oolong teas are partially oxidized or semi fermented which occurs when the leaves are gently shaken. It is this process which gives Oolong teas their reddish appearance and slightly sweet flavor.

Twinings
Darjeeling Tea

Twinings: Darjeeling Tea

This light golden black tea from the foothills of the Himalayas has a delicate and unique character that is likened to the Muscatel grape. Darjeeling teas are grown in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains in northeast India. The high altitude, soil and climate of the Darjeeling plantations contribute towards the unique and delicate taste of this tea. Twinings Darjeeling uses the finest first and second flush tea (those picked in the spring and summer) in this blend. Darjeeling is often regarded by connoisseurs as one of the finest teas.

Twinings
Green Tea

Twinings: Green Tea

A soothing and refreshing green tea with a delicate flavor and a light golden color. Natural source of antioxidants. Pure and natural. Green teas are made from leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, the same leaves as tea. Green teas go through a process where the leaves are heated to prevent oxidation while black teas are oxidized for additional color and flavor. The result is a delicious tea that brews to a light golden color and unique flavor. Twinings Green Tea is a style called Sencha, known for its smooth, mild characteristics.

Twinings
Jasmine Green Tea

Twinings: Jasmine Green Tea

Lightly scented with jasmine flowers for a refreshing tea with an alluring aroma. Natural source of antioxidants. Pure and natural. Green tea is known for its smooth flavor and refreshing taste. Green teas are made from leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, the same leave as black tea. Green teas go through a process where the leaves are heated to prevent oxidation while black teas are oxidized for additional colour and flavour. Twinings Jasmine Green Tea is layered with freshly picked jasmine flowers, allowing the tea leaves to absorb the delicate fragrance. the result is a mild and refreshing tea with an alluring aroma.

Krups FME2-14
12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
with Glass Carafe

Krups FME2-14 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with Glass Carafe

New from Krups, this 12-cup programmable coffee maker has 1,100 watts to provide fast and efficient brewing. The programmable timer/auto on sets the start time each day and has a 1-3 cup flavor setting to maximize flavor extraction from small quantities of coffee. There is an audible signal indicating when the machine is done brewing and a popular pause and serve feature allows interruption anytime during brewing. After brewing, the heating plate time is adjustable from 1 to 5 hours. The 60 ounce water reservoir has a detection feature which shuts the unit off if completely empty has a built in water filtration system to remove chlorine and limescale buildup. Beautifully styled with a blue illuminated LED control panel for easy of use, it has a soft eject filter holder for smooth control swing out action, and easy pour 12 cup glass carafe with no drip spout and ergonomic handle design. The descaling indicator measures brew time and calculates when descaling is necessary. Comes with a 1-year warranty.

DeLonghi DCF212T
Drip Coffeemaker

DeLonghi DCF212T Drip Coffeemaker with Convenient Front Access

This digital/programmable 12 cup drip coffee maker has Complete Frontal Access, so anyone can make coffee fast and easy. DeLonghi's new DCF212T allows you to access the water tank by opening the handle on the front door and easily pour water into the tank without moving the unit. This Unit's filter, which also can easily be reached through the front handle, is durable and won't let even the finest grinds sneak their way into your coffee pot. Can't wait for that cup of coffee. The DCF212T "pause-and-serve" function allows you to interrupt the brewing cycle, and pour the amount you want, when you want it. When you replace the glass carafe the brewing continues. It's that simple! Non-stick warming plate which keeps those already poured cups hot.

We recommend drinking iced tea plain to enjoy the rich, smooth flavors of the unique blend from which it was brewed.

We do not recommend adding lemon to any blend that already contains flavorings. If a lemon flavor is desired, substitute the flavored tea bag in any of the above blends with one containing a lemon zest.

If a sweetened tea is desired, add a minimal amount of sweetener to start and adjust as necessary.