September 10, 2005 8:08 PM
And they think motherhood isn't rocket science
The first winter after I moved here from California, I was speaking at a women's Christmas luncheon when the waiter came to our big round table and asked each one of us if we'd like iced tea.
"Iced tea in the winter?" I asked, looking at all the proper, polished Southern ladies around me.
"Honey, this is Virginia," said one. "That means iced tea in the summer, fall. winter and spring."
So, three years later I'm doing a little better with keeping iced tea in the fridge. I order from The Republic of Tea - located ironically just miles from where I used to live on the West Coast. My favorite is Earl Greyer - and that's not a typo. It seems expensive until you get the bag (I buy in bulk) and take a deep inhale and realize it's so super strong you barely need any to make a good strong pitcher full.
But one has problem plagued my tea-making. The next day instead of sparkling and clear it would be all murky like swamp water.
So today I did a little research and this is what I found: Tea has substances called tannins. The better the quality of the tea, the denser the tannins. When you use boiling water to make tea and then cool it too rapidly, the tannins separate out.
Not to worry when that happens, though. Simply pour a cup of boiling water into the cloudy tea and watch it clear instantly as the tannins do their thing.
I salute the enterprising woman who figured this out!
And a bonnet tip to Julana at Life in the Slow Lane, forimproving the quality of my life by turning me on to the Republic of Tea.
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Comments
this has nothing to do with tea but with motherhood... the ladies were out talking while the children were playing and one, who just got home from a business trip, said, "Ugh, we had a 10 hour day on Thursday. I had to have my brain thinking all day. not just on a 5 year old level but really thinking." I almost said it but I didn't but man, I think I am thinking on a high level talking and making decisions with my little guys. I am not taking offence just wondering if she isn't missing out on something. What are your thoughts?
Posted by: janet | September 11, 2005 12:23 AM
Thank you for the "bonnet tip". :-) I'm so happy you've found the Republic of Tea. I love their orange ginger mint. I, also, have just started to keep tea in the fridge. I drink the first cup hot, and cool the rest.
Posted by: Julana | September 11, 2005 7:08 AM
Here's another little known fact about those tannins: The tannic (sp?) acid in tea "attacks" red blood cells! Anyone who has trouble with anemia should exercise caution in drinking too much tea - even decaf! I learned this while working in a blood bank as a medical interviewer between graduating from college and my first teaching job. Low red blood cell counts were cause to turn someone away from donating. One of the questions we were told to ask when confronted with a low rbc count was whether the donor drank a lot of iced tea. The good news is, we were also told if the answer was "yes" to suggest they lay off the tea for a few weeks and try again. So the problem can be remedied fairly quickly if the tannic acid is responsible for anemia!
Just thought you and your readers might be interested!
Posted by: Kari | September 11, 2005 11:15 AM
I was raised by a Southern woman, so I know about Ice Tea, but have lived North for many years. After travelling in the South my kids think it's the most wonderful thing. Anyone have a really good recipe for homemade iced tea, using plain old Pekoe tea bags (that's what I've seen Southern women use)? When I follow the back of the box it just doesn't come out right. Hay-ulp ya'll!
Posted by: floorplan | September 12, 2005 11:42 AM
But I like it cloudy...the murkier the better!
(But thanks for the reminder...I'm off to make a batch of sun tea right now - at least after I check weather.com to make sure it will be a sunny day.)
Posted by: King of Fools | September 13, 2005 10:38 AM
