A question about a recipe: Mint Iced Tea -- Do you leave the tea (or bags) to steep in the mixture as it cools? Doesn't become bitter?

I have a question about step 1 on the recipe "Mint Iced Tea" from merrill. It says:

"Boil a kettle of water, and put the tea and the mint into a large, heatproof pot or pitcher. Pour a quart of boiling water into the pot, add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Carefully taste a little and add more sugar if you like. Set the tea aside to cool to room temperature and then refrigerate until cold."

cookbookchick
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Mint Iced Tea
Recipe question for: Mint Iced Tea

3 Comments

cookbookchick
cookbookchick July 18, 2011
Thanks! Iced tea is one of those things that I, like you, remember fondly from my childhood. As I recall, my mother tossed Lipton's tea bags into a pot of water and boiled them. Maybe she added a little sugar to the pot. The tea was always delicious and clear, unlike my bitter, cloudy efforts. Thus the Perfect Glass of Iced Tea has become my madeleine -- perfection remembered and always just out of my reach!
 
Merrill S.
Merrill S. July 17, 2011
Yes, what Hardlikearmour said!
 
hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour July 17, 2011
Leaving the tea bags in will increase the amount of tannin you get, which is the part that kinda makes the inside of your mouth feel rough (if that makes sense.) It is a bit bitter, but I find it refreshing in an iced tea drink. I think it's a personal preference. If you are worried about it you could remove the tea bags after 4 or 5 minutes (like with hot tea.)
 
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