Ice tea - refreshment for the soul

Icy refreshment:
The magic of Ice Tea

Ice tea, also known as iced tea, is a refreshing and popular cold drink enjoyed in many parts of the world. The history of Ice Tea dates back to the 19th century. The origins of Iced Tea can be found in the USA. It is believed that the first documented mention of Iced Tea was in 1879. 

A recipe for "Russian Iced Tea" was published in a cookbook called "Housekeeping in Old Virginia". In the following years, Iced Tea became a popular summer drink in the United States.

Different varieties

Iced tea comes in a variety of flavours, including classic iced tea, lemon iced tea, peach iced tea, green iced tea and many more. Different types of tea and flavours offer a variety of taste experiences for consumers.

There are a variety of Iced Tea variants that can vary depending on the region, preferences and ingredients available. Here are some of the most popular variants:

• Classic Iced Tea: this variant is made with black tea and can be enjoyed sweetened or unsweetened. It is often garnished with lemon slices.
• Lemon Iced Tea: This refreshing variation is made by adding fresh lemon juice or lemon syrup to the classic Iced Tea. This gives the Ice Tea an extra touch of citrus freshness.
• Peach Iced Tea: Here, fresh peach juice or peach syrup is added to the Iced Tea to give it a sweet and fruity taste. Peach iced tea is particularly popular and widespread.
• Green Iced Tea: Instead of black tea, green tea is used in this variant. Green Iced Tea has a milder taste and often contains natural antioxidants.
• Mint Iced Tea: Here, fresh mint is added to classic Iced Tea. The mint gives the drink a refreshing note and a pleasant fragrance.
• Berry Iced Tea: This variant contains fresh berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or blackberries. The berries are either pureed or added as whole fruits to give the iced tea a fruity taste and attractive colour.
• Hibiscus Iced Tea: Hibiscus flowers are used to prepare this Iced Tea. The hibiscus gives the drink a bright red colour and a slightly tart taste.
• Rooibos Iced Tea: This variant is prepared with rooibos tea, which is naturally caffeine-free. Rooibos iced tea has a mild and slightly sweet taste.
• Matcha iced tea: Here, high-quality matcha powder is combined with iced tea to create an iced tea with an intense green tea flavour and increased caffeine content.

These variations can be adapted according to preferences and cultural influences. There are countless ways to personalise Iced Tea and discover creative flavour combinations.

The preparation is very simple

The ingredients for one litre of Iced Tea

• 4 tea bags or 4 teaspoons with  loosetea
• 1 litre of boiling water
• 4 tablespoons of sugar (optional)
• Ice cubes Lemon slices or mint leaves for garnish (optional)

It is important to note that the amount may vary from tea to tea. Some teas may be stronger and require less tea, while others are milder and may require a little more tea.

If you want the tea stronger, you can slightly increase the amount of loose tea. On the other hand, if you prefer the tea milder, you can reduce the amount slightly. It is best to start with the recommended amount and then adjust according to taste.

Here is a simple preparation, step by step

• Place the tea bags or loose tea in a strainer in a heatproof carafe or pitcher.
• Pour the boiling water over the tea bags.
• Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes, or longer, depending on the desired strength.
• Remove the tea bags or tea strainer from the tea.
• Stir in the sugar, if you wish to use it, and leave the tea to cool at room temperature.
• Place the tea in the fridge for about 30 minutes to cool further.
• Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the cooled tea over it.
• Garnish the iced tea with lemon slices or mint leaves as desired.
• Stir the iced tea to distribute the flavour evenly.
• You can serve the iced tea immediately and add more ice cubes if needed.

Remember that the brewing time also has an influence on the taste. If you want a stronger tasting iced tea, you can increase the brewing time. If you prefer a milder tasting iced tea, you can shorten the brewing time.

Experiment with the amount of loose tea until you find the perfect balance for your iced tea. Depending on your personal preferences and the strength of the tea, you can adjust the amount accordingly.

Large selection of teas and tableware perfect for Ice Tea