Plascon Group Blog

Tasty Sweet Tea Tips for National Iced Tea Month

Written by Amanda Molnar | June 1, 2020

Enjoy a Fresh Sweet Tea in Honor of National Iced Month this June

Hot water, black tea, sugar, and…. baking soda?! Not exactly what those of us in Northern Michigan think of when we whip up a batch of tea, but any Southerner worth their weight in sweet tea will tell you it is an essential ingredient in this summertime staple. Tea brewed with a bit of baking soda mixed in is less cloudy, less bitter, and many would describe it as “smoother” …  But why?  The answer boils down tannins.

Tannins are compounds that can be found naturally in a variety of plants and therefore in the foods and beverages made from those plants. Most people associate tannins with wine, but tannins can also be found in coffee, chocolate, and tea. The bitter and astringent flavors of these foods and beverages, and their antioxidant properties, are attributed to the amount of tannins in each. Tannins in tea differ based on how the tea is produced and how long it is steeped. No amount of sugar is going to cover up a tannin filled, bitter black tea. That’s where the baking soda comes in.

If you think back to Chem 101, you probably remember learning about alkaline vs. acid and PH levels. Tannins are lower on the PH scale and therefore acidic. Baking soda is a base, which when mixed with water (the base of any tea) achieves a PH level of around 8. The alkaline mixture combines and neutralizes the acidic tannins, resulting in a less bitter tea.

Want to test this theory yourself? Here’s how!

Ingredients:

  • 12-regular sized black tea bags
  • 1/8-teaspoon baking soda
  • 1-quart water
  • 1-quart ice cubes (for clearer cubes make with boiled water)
  • 1 ¼ -cup simple syrup (to make syrup boil equal parts water and sugar until sugar is completely dissolved, remove from heat, and let cool to room temperature)

Place tea bags and baking soda into a heat proof glass pitcher

  • Bring water to a rolling boil in saucepan or kettle and immediately pour over tea bags, submerging bags
  • Cover and steep for 7 minutes
  • Remove bags, without squeezing
  • Add ice, stirring until completely dissolved
  • Stir in simple syrup
  • Refrigerate and serve over ice

Enjoy!

Are you in the food service industry?  Caterer, restaurant, or convenience store operator?  If you serve fresh brewed iced tea, now is the perfect time to try Saftea® Liner iced beverage urn liners.  The safest, and most convenient method to ensure the highest quality and best tasting iced beverages.  With the zip-locking seal and writable panel, cleaning urns is a snap!  Replace the liner in 30 seconds, and you are ready to serve. Protects against bacteria and molds that can form when urns are not properly sanitized.  And now you can try Saftea® Liner free for 7 days!  Request your free sample kit and see for yourself how simple it is to use, and how the increased sanitation provides your customers with safe, refreshing, consistent flavor in every sip!