Good, unsweetened iced tea.. How? (Please read rest of question below)?

Question

Last weekend, I went down to the beach to an oceanfront seafood restaurant.. On the menu, they had a beverage described as "fresh-brewed, unsweetened Nestea iced tea". I had it, and I loved it. Even with no sugar, it had a fresh, clean taste with really no tannic aftertaste and/or heaviness..

Anyhow, I went home and I bought a box of the cold brew, plain Nestea iced tea bags. (pitcher sized ones) I proceeded to make two batches of this, and neither tasted like at the restaurant.. It was too tannic and lacked the clean taste and almost even fruity finish.. (no, there was no fruit added to it - it was plain tea)

Now, I know it's quite possible that they used a different tea brand and/or method other than cold brewing..

Anyone have any ideas and or experience in this? Is it better to brew the tea hot and cool it?

Answer 1

Do you have a filter? As this makes all the difference.

Answer 2

This is certainly not Nestea, but I love to use the herb teas to make unsweetened tea. They have a natural sweetness about them that does not require added sugar to taste good. I just fill a pitcher with warm water, add a few teabags and put it in the fridge. When it has cooled the tea is usually strong enough, and tastes really good.

My favorites are the Celestial Seasons "Blueberry", "Raspberry Zinger", and "Lemon Zinger" for iced tea.

Answer 3

If it's brewed, it has been heated to a point where it takes the tannic away & harsh taste. You could also try making sun tea, take a pitcher add water & tea bags, set it out in the sun for several hours & it will make very nice tea. Good luck!!

Answer 4

I agree with Paul... try sun tea.  With sun tea you don't want the cold brew tea.  You would use regular bags and let them steep in water out in the sun.  You will get a far fresher tasting tea than using cold brew or boiling.

Answer 5

Umm.. I think they put like a sugarfree supplement. Try Boiling water, add half a teaspoon of tealeaves till the water becomes dull orange, take off heat, filter, add half a spoon of sugarfree or honey, and squeeze half a lemon in. Stir and drink. Lemme know what u think.

Answer 6

One of two things, either they have a set up of how they pour it out of a spray same as coke , sprite,  its already pre mixed from the company.  

The other is they have a machine that brews it, they add the water and lemon flavor.

However I would go for the pre mix.  

Another way for you to make tea is get a clear jar, add water add tea bags and sit it out side on your porch on a hot day, for 3-4 hours. Sun Tea.

Answer 7

You totally got it you have to brew it hot and let it steep then cool it and i grantee they put lemon or lime in to taste that's what we did when i use to work at a restaurant but yeah just make sure it steeps a while then cool take Care!

Answer 8

I think brewing hot is much better, i prefer loose tea of good quality myself. try the reg not the cold brew, you can try putting the bags in th pot of your coffee maker and running the water through it or if you don't want to take the chance of having a little leftover coffee taste, you cant bring a pot of water to a light boil, turn it off, add tea bags and let steep to the strength u like it. You could also try sun tea, or my fave is always just warm water in a pitcher add the tea bags and let stand on the counter for a few hrs. They could possibly have used spring water or something too, just depends on the restaurant. I hope you figure it out, good luck