Why do southerners put baking soda in sweet tea?

Adding a little baking soda to your tea will clear away any cloudiness left from the mixing process, and it's also thought to cut down on any lingering bitter tastes from the steeping tea bags, leaving your tea clarified and smooth and providing your get-together with one fantastic pitcher of tea.

Why is Southern sweet tea so much better?

Still, there's a balance to the flavor— the tea is brewed long and strong, so it gets an astringency that can only be countered by lots of the sweet stuff . Southerners, of course, have a taste for sugar that is demonstrably stronger than what you find up North.

What is southern sweet tea made of?

Southern-style sweet tea is freshly brewed black tea that's sweetened with sugar while hot, chilled until cold, and served over ice.

How do Southerners like to drink their tea?

Most recipes call for a relatively quick steep, anywhere from a few swishes of the tea bags through the hot water to a full five-minute dunk. However, some Southerners like a nice long steep to make a stronger sweet tea. Mix the sugar into the hot tea so it dissolves completely.

How much baking soda do you put in a gallon of tea?

Once water comes to a roiling boil, pour into one gallon pitcher. Add 3 family-size tea bags and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (you don't need to stir) to the pitcher. Just make sure the bags are submerged in the water.

How much sugar should I put in a gallon of sweet tea?

To make a gallon sized tea, use 2 cups of water to boil, add 2 cups of sugar and ⅛ teaspoon of baking soda after it has been removed from heat, use 4 family sized tea bags when steeping, and add 14 cups of cold water at the end. Never pinch the tea bags when removing them from steeping.

Why do you put baking soda in ice tea?

Once you've brewed your ice-tea a dash of baking soda helps to neutralize the tannin content, offering a smoother taste, and reducing that murky appearance . The tannin content is high in black tea and green tea, so be sure to add baking soda if you're using these types of tea.

Why don't northerners drink sweet tea?

Sweet tea is something people either love or hate. And often that relationship is determined by geography. "It's just very, very sweet. Most people who try it in the North don't like it ," says Linda Stradley, food historian and founder of food history Web site www.whatscookingamerica.net.

Which state drinks the most sweet tea?

Which States Have Sweet Tea? It's believed that the states in which sweet tea is most popular and most widely consumed are Alabama, Arkansas, Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia .

What is the difference between Southern sweet tea and regular tea?

The key distinction lies in their sweetness level and flavor profile . Sweet tea, a beloved Southern tradition, is brewed with tea leaves and sweetened with sugar while it's still warm. This process allows the sugar to fully dissolve, creating a sweet and refreshing drink.

What does adding baking soda to tea or coffee do?

Coffee is naturally acidic, which can sometimes cause gastrointestinal discomfort for some people. Adding a pinch of baking soda to brewed coffee can help neutralize some of the acidity, making it gentler on the stomach . This can be particularly useful for people suffering from acid reflux or a sensitive stomach.

What does baking soda do to hot sugar?

When the baking soda combines with the boiled sugar, it creates Carbon Dioxide that form lots of bubbles and puff the candy up . Once it hardens, the bubbles get trapped inside and create a texture that looks just like a sponge or piece of foam. It's crunchy and sweet, with an almost molasses-like flavor.

How to Make Sweet Iced Tea Like a Southerner (2024)

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LiptonNewLook #CollectiveBias

If you’ve never had the opportunity to enjoy a glass of sweet iced tea, or have only had it bottled, now’s the time to try making your own sweet iced tea, and enjoy it like a southerner.

Regardless of if you were raised in the south, were transplanted here, or just passing through, you’ll find that sweet tea is deeply part of the southern culture. Just as we’re known for growing peaches, pecans, and peanuts, we’re also known for making a mean brew of sweet iced tea. You’ll find it plastered on every menu at every restaurant, so there’s no excuse for not giving it a try.

Sweet Iced Tea is a staple of the southern kitchen. I can’t remember the first time I started drinking Sweet Iced Tea, but I’m pretty sure it was soon after I came into this world. I’ve continued my love for this drink, and have enjoyed it on the go, at mealtimes, and while sitting on the porch taking in the warm afternoons.

To grab your own Lipton Black Tea Bags, hover over the photo below to purchase then you’ll be set to make your own Southern Sweet Iced Tea!

Drinking this southern delight is more of a way of life or ritual than it is a simple drink option. It’s about slow living, taking it easy and sharing time with friends and family.

There are many recipes on how to make sweet iced tea. Everyone I know has their own time-honored tweaks and little tips and tricks to make their own perfect brew. My brew includes plenty of fruit, particularly citrus and sometimes a touch of mint. Depending on the season, I might substitute the citrus fruits with berries or better yet, Georgia peaches! Some southerners prefer their sweet iced tea straight up, with nothing added, which is perfectly acceptable of course. Not everyone is keen on adding bunches of the fresh mint straight into the pitcher. In fact, I have this vague recollection of being asked if I was trying to root some baby trees in my drink. Yes, I was being teased. Then they drank a tall glass of my “tree” tea and asked for more. Ha, they loved it!

Sweet Iced Tea Tips and Tricks:

Start with filtered fresh cold water.
Buy the best quality black tea, my choice is Lipton Black Tea, which I find at my local Walmart.
A pinch of baking soda added to your sweet iced tea recipe will keep it from turning cloudy.
Make a tea concentrate then dilute using ice first followed by topping it up with more cold filtered water – it will be ready to serve immediately without having to completely chill.
If using a glass pitcher to serve in, put in your ice first then you must put a metal spoon deep into the ice, with the spoon touching the base of the pitcher. This is to keep your glass from cracking when you pour in the hot tea concentrate, the metal will help absorb the heat and protect the glass. Learned that one the hard way.
If you are not going to drink your tea immediately after you have poured it into the pitcher and it has cooled off, remove the ice to prevent it from becoming too diluted. When ready to serve, add additional ice as needed.

Making my sweet iced tea recipe calls for quality tea, and that’s why my preference is Lipton 100% Natural Tea Black Tea Bags, which you can find in 100 ct or 50 ct, and by the way, I’m loving their new packaging! Don’t worry, Lipton is still 100% natural and is, of course, America’s favorite tea, with a new look, same great taste.

Not sure where to find it? Get yours at your local Walmart or Walmart.com, easy peasy!

Earn $.75 on any one Lipton product at Walmart while supplies last. Grab your savings now!

Now all you have to do is sit back and relax in your favorite rocking chair, and enjoy a tall glass of southern sweet iced tea.

Yield: 2 quarts

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 pint of just boiled water
6 Lipton Black Tea bags
1/2 - 3/4 cup sugar, or to taste
1 lemon, sliced (optional)
1 orange, sliced (optional)
several sprigs of fresh mint (optional)
Pinch of baking soda
Ice
Cold water

Instructions

In a heat resistant large measuring cup (I use a 4 cup measuring cup), add the Lipton Black Tea bags and sugar, then pour over with freshly boiled water. Add a pinch of baking soda. Allow to brew for about 5 - 8 minutes. This will make your 1 pint of concentrate.

In a large 2 quart pitcher, first add the ice until about 1/2 to 3/4 full. If using a glass pitcher, don't forget the metal spoon to keep your glass from cracking.
Slowly pour the tea concentrate over the ice.
Add in the lemon and orange slices, plus the mint if using.
Top up with more cold, filtered water.
Serve over ice and enjoy.

Notes

You can also use limes if preferred. Replace the Citrus altogether with other fruits, such as sliced peaches, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, or a mixture of your favorites. Lemon verbena or lemon balm are also great served in Sweet Iced Tea. You can also replace the sugar with honey to taste if preferred.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8Serving Size: 8 ounces
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 49Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 14mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 0g

Stacey Doyle

Stacey is a Southern girl with a taste for travel, thriving on the discovery of the world through food. After spending many years traveling and living overseas, she’s now back home in her beloved deep south enjoying life with her three little ones and loving the adventure. She’s a food stylist and food photographer, as well as, the creative behind Little Figgy Food, where she loves to inspire others to try new flavors and foodie techniques.