Cassia's Kitchen: southern

By now, my readership knows that I am from Texas, if they are not indeed themselves from the Lone Star State.

Actually, I'm a transplant; so I have had to be introduced into this culture slowly, surely and over a long period of time before actually being "accepted" as a bonafide, certified, Texan. In fact, I married a Texan and bore a child here, and they proudly, loudly, jubilantly, and animatedly remind me that I am the outsider in "these here" parts. At which point, I remind them that the Gulf is a wash bucket/toilet bowl compared to my beautiful Pacific Ocean, which I pine for daily, and which now we all mourn over her fallen estate even more so in light of recent events.

So today I want to talk about the culture of Iced Tea in this great state. It's almost a religion. Iced tea is served at every meal here and there are two camps: "Sweet" and "Un-Sweet". I would venture to guess but have not taken a poll, that most Texans (died in the wool ones), are in the "Sweet" Camp, due to the fact that they also have a large percentage of the population who in fact consume Dr. Pepper and a candy bar for breakfast and when you go to Luby's Cafeteria, their salads, some of them are PINK. Yes, pink. Bright Candy Pink. At which, my snobby California senses are inflamed and my eco-friendly green spinach temperament flares up to high.

But let the pontificating end here. I remember back to when my fat Grandma from Ohio used to come to visit for a month at a time. She would spend her days in the kitchen, baking up a storm with all kinds of confectionary sweet things to make us fat and endear us to her. But one of my favorite memories was of her Sweet Tea. My mom never made it so it was a real treat for me, even then the Caffeine Queen.

Have you noticed the bouquet of Tea? I truly do not know anything more fragrant and just well delightful about my kitchen after I have steeped a giant bag of No Name Cut Black or Orange Pekoe Tea to make Iced Tea. There is nothing more thirst-quenching (aside from water) than a tall glass of tea, iced down and all sweating with condensation to refresh you after any manner of activities. I have become addicted......

Here in my house, we like Snapple (great website, by the way! I wish I could get a flash like that on my own website all manner of fruit and veggies floating into the air and inviting the reader to indulge in all kinds of aromatic adventures!) Ah, but one day.....and we're getting off the subject here so, let's digress back to the culture of tea.....

So, we like Snapple and even though my daughter begs with tears and eyelashes flashing about me, never have I indulged in a 4 pack at the grocery store. At $6.00 for a 4 pack, my German good sense bids me not. I have caved to a single serving though at Walmart or other such grueling marketplaces, when drained of energy or emotional resources, but to pay that much I just, well, cannot.

So here is a recipe for a Near Snapple or a Po Boy Snapple! Not exactly the same taste, but it makes enough for a whole family of 4 to enjoy for nearly a day. So, at the cost of $2.69 + 1 tea bag, I would say it is a steal of a deal! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Steep one of these bags, or your choice of overpriced designer tea bags in approx. 2 cups of boiling water.
Set aside to cool. When appropriately cool, add to pitcher with the contents of the juice container, freshly taken out of the freezer to be as cold as possible. Add 3 to 4 juice cans (or more if you don't want to stay up ALL night) of cold water, stir and pour over ice.

I am not saying this is healthy; and I have not checked the label but I am almost certain the ingredients are corn syrup and natural and artificial flavors. I will be searching for a real Peach juice concentrate, but so far have only come up with Dole's White Grape and Peach but that does NOT have the same ring to it, nor do I like the taste of the White Grape Juice in it.

Oh, and, since we are talking about the singular, delightful bouquet of all things Tea, (Cha, Chai, The) here are a few products than can be made in TEA! IN fact, here is some Tea Soap that I made with real tea from Assam, India. Long has tea been purported to have antioxidant qualities and in skin applications, is slightly astringent. This makes it good for those with OILY skin!