Perfect Brewed Iced Tea

Perfect Brewed Iced Tea
Black, Green and Oolong teas come from the same plant - Camellia sinensis - which is grown in lush climates around the world. The difference? Black and Oolong teas undergo a natural fermentation step. Green tea does not. Tea is a great source of antioxidants which help neutralize "free radicals", molecules that can damage cells. So drink to your health!

4 regular tea bags (orange pekoe or green tea)*
2 cups fresh cold water
Water
Ice cubes
Sugar or other sweetener such as Simple syrup (see recipe)
Lemon slices (optional)

Unwrap (if necessary) and carefully slide off any paper attached to the strings of the tea bags; tie the strings together and place the bags in a heat-proof 2-quart pitcher.

Bring 2 cups cold water (always start with fresh cold water) to a rapid boil. Remove from heat and immediately pour over the tea bags.

Allow tea to steep for 20 minutes or more. (This process simply forms the "concentrate". You can store the mixture in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.)

Remove tea bags, squeeze out excess liquid (being careful to not break open the bags) and discard. Fill the pitcher with enough water to equal 2-quarts. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled before serving. Or to serve iced tea immediately, add a dozen or so ice cubes to tea concentrate then fill with water to the 2-quart level.

To serve, pour tea over lots of ice cubes in a tall glass, stirring in desired sweetening and a squeeze of lemon, as desired.
Serves 8.

Flavor Variation: Add 1 flavored tea bag such as Ginger Peach, Blackberry Sage, Vanilla Almond, etc. along with either the orange pekoe or green tea for a refreshing change.

*If using loose tea, measure 2 tablespoons into a paper coffee filter and seal it tightly with a twist tie, or simply pour water over loose leaves in a small heatproof container, and when ready separate the liquid from the tea leaves using a strainer.
Makes 2 quarts.