I am from the south.
The deep south.
And in the south, we have something that is on the menu everywhere…that would be…sweet tea.
Those who live in the south know exactly what I am talking about. And, I’ll never forget the first time my husband and I visited Vermont. We went out to eat. I ordered chicken quesadillas (my favorite) and sweet tea. And the waiter was confused. The quesadillas were on menu…but not sweet tea. It took quite a while for me to explain that I wanted iced tea, that was sweet.
In the end, I got neither chicken quesadillas OR sweet tea.
I really have no idea what the food was. It had a look and taste all it’s own. It was good enough, but one this is for sure, it was definitely NOT chicken quesadillas. And the tea…well…let’s just say I had to order another drink instead. It was awful!
So, having been trained in the proper art of sweet tea making, I always made my own sweet tea. Complete with lots of sugar and fully caffeinated tea. Then I figured out that caffeine was giving me headaches, and I switched to decaf tea. Always iced tea…never hot tea. And…I even used…Splenda (gasp!) at times.
But, then I went on the CLEAN program, and guess what you couldn’t have??? TEA!!! Good grief!!
But, I found that you could have herbal teas, and so I went searching.
I found (somewhere on the internet…I can’t remember where) that Rooibos tea was not only herbal, but also naturally caffeine free, and it was supposed to taste like regular tea!!
I tried a batch and viola…healthy tea. I just completed the switch by subbing stevia for sugar.
I’ve been drinking it this way ever since.
By the way, Sarah has got a nice article here about Rooibos tea.
Healthy Sweet Tea
6 Rooibos tea bags (I always use Eco Tea brand – not all Rooibos teas taste the same)
1 quart boiling water
1/2 tsp liquid stevia (I always use Sweetleaf Liquid Stevia)
1 quart cool water
2 quart containerBoil 1 quart of water (4 cups). Add tea bags and steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags, squeeze out excess and pour into serving container. Add 1 quart cool water (4 cups) and liquid stevia. You can change the amount of stevia according to your taste. Enjoy!
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Dr. Laura
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I am also a southerner who loves her sweet tea – never tried one like this though! Going to have to give it a go round!!
Crystal @MrsHappyHomemaker recently posted..Crockpot Apple Butter
Thanks Crystal – by the way, I made your simple chicken burritos yesterday – they were super easy and a huge hit! Thanks for sharing last week, and for linking up this week.
Dr. Laura
I’m from GA and sweet tea is a staple here. My husband likes his tea so sweet, it’s like syrup (bleh). This recipe looks great. Healthy sweet tea sounds great!
Lisa recently posted..Easy Chinese Chicken
Lisa, I know exactly what you mean – my Dad loves his sweet tea VERY sweet too! Rooibos is different, but it tastes nearly the same for me.
Dr. Laura
Hi Dr. Laura! I always love when you can find a good substitute for the things you love, as long as it REALLY satisfies you then awesome! I am linking up some great whole wheat buttermilk biscuits which are a great way to use up sour raw milk if you have any! Big hugs! alex
alex@amoderatelife recently posted..Hearth and Soul Hop-Volume 31!
Thanks for linking up Alex, and I have so many things that I would love to spend time to make over into healthier versions, that I am just thrilled with one that works quickly and easily!
Dr. Laura
I love that you make it with herbal tea! Will have to try that out. Will also link a recipe up soon
honeybeecooksjackfruit recently posted..Kadhi Pakora spicy fritters in yogurt gravy
Thanks for linking up honeybee!
Dr. Laura
Herbal tea is perfect for me since I don’t drink the caffeinated stuff.
Lisa recently posted..Chicken Divan and a New Linky Party
Me neither Lisa – caffeine gives me a headache.
Dr. Laura
I am from the north and moved south. Sweet tea to me before I moved was called “Iced Tea” and it started out in powder form. LOL. Even then, it was very rarely made or served. Real Southern Style Sweet Tea ROCKS!
Lisa recently posted..Menu Plan Monday- Week of January 17th- 2011
So funny Lisa! I can totally relate, and yes real southern style sweet tea does ROCK. One of my all time favorites is Chick-Fil-A’s sweet tea. Unfortunately here in the north, the nearest Chick-Fil-A is about 3 1/2 hours and several states away! So, this is the best I can do.
Dr. Laura
Sweet tea is always delicious! I love the stevia addition. I love a little mint, kiwi, and pineapple in the mix too. I loved the taste of fruit in my tea. . . yum yum yum
Tamona, never thought of putting fruit in the tea! I may have to try that. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. Laura
Yummm! That sounds so good. I am going to have to try that next time I make sweet tea.
Amy recently posted..Huh What About This Way
Thanks Amy!
Dr. Laura
Hi Laura! I am sharing my recipe for Meyer Lemon Cookies. The recipe is gluten free, but it can be made with “normal” flour if you don’t have an issue with gluten.
If anyone is interested, I have a giveaway going now for a 7 pound box of Organic Meyer Lemons from California. Yum!
Thanks for hosting!
Andrea (Andreas Kitchen) recently posted..New Giveaway! Organic Meyer Lemons
Andrea, I love lemon cookies! And thanks for the notice on the giveaway!
Dr. Laura
HI Laura! Thanks so much for linking this lovely sweet tea to the hearth and soul hop this week! We used to call roobios red twig tea, but roobios sounds so much nicer! I have some in my cupboard and it is great! All the best! Alex
alex@amoderatelife recently posted..Tackling Bittman- Roasting his Loin…of Pork!
Thanks for hosting Alex!
Dr. Laura
Dr. Laura,
I was so excited to see that you brought some wonderful Sweet Tea to go with our meal. Thank you so much for bringing it over to Full Plate Thursday and please come back!
Miz Helen recently posted..Whats For Dinner Next Week- Green Chili Chicken Bake
we love sweet tea in our house, but rarely drink it because of all the sugar. i have some stevia, but have never used it for cold tea..only hot. what a great suggestion to use it this way. thank you for sharing with tuesday night supper club!
christy recently posted..conversation hearts
Thanks Christy! I don’t really drink hot tea, so I just tried it on iced tea…presto! It worked! Thanks for hosting!
Dr. Laura
In Canada we have only sweet tea. I got an unpleasant surprise when I ordered my first iced tea in US.
I found your Tasty Tuesday at another blog so I hope you don’t mind me coming over and linking up. I linked up my Apricot Bread Pudding.
Bibi recently posted..Apricot Bread Pudding – Žemlovka
Bibi, I had the same experience in Vermont – we’re kind of close to Canada
Dr. Laura
Congratulations Dr. Laura! Your Healthy Sweet Tea is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week 1-27-11. It is so good!
Best Wishes,
Miz Helen
Miz Helen recently posted..Whats In The Cookie Jar
Whoo Hoo!! Thanks for featuring my healthy sweet tea on Full Plate Thursday Miz Helen!
Dr. Laura
Don’t feel bad about asking. In Canada “Ice Tea” is sweet by default. Travelling in the US is frustrating when you grew up just ordering Ice Tea and then get served something that is akin to my Grandma’s tea, except cold… Never new you had to specify “sweet”. In Canada, EVERY restaurant has Ice Team (and it’s ALL sweet).
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