Self-prepared orange ice tea

This weekend, temperatures in Belgium are predicted to reach up to 37°C and many other parts of Europe and the world also suffer from high temperatures (although many people in Belgium will disagree with the word "suffer" as most people will be happy summer finally arrived after the previous wet and cold months).

Therefore, to lessen my thirst I decided to make my own ice tea and share the receipt so others who may read this article can also drink something refreshing that is differently from cold water and is quite cheap. As it is easy to prepare, children who should stay inside during this extreme hot weather, can make their own ice tea and thus will be less likely to get bored (parents should boil the water as this is too dangerous to be done by small children). The children can later experiment to prepare their own version of tea and that is even more exiting as they are now almost real chefs. I give a few examples what can be changed.

Most of the ingredients (except water).
I prepared an orange-ginger ice tea. Here we go:

Ingredients:
  • 900 ml water
  • 2 or 3 oranges
  • Ginger
  • Black tea
  • 8 or 9 teaspoons of sugar.

Preparation:
  1. Heat the water until it boils. I added some pieces of ginger in the water while boiling it and although this is not required, I find ginger adds a lovely and refreshing flavour to the tea.
  2. Ones the water boils, add sugar. I added seven teaspoons of white sugar and one teaspoon of candy sugar (is brown) but the amount and/or kind of sugars can vary according to your taste. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
  3. Then add the black tea and leave for a few minutes. According to your taste you can add more or less tea leaves and leave them in the hot water for a shorter or longer period. However, when the leaves are too long in the hot water the tea will become bitter.
  4. Filter the tea to remove all larger pieces such as the ginger and leaves. This also prevents the tea becoming too bitter as the leaves are removed. You should now have a clear solution.
  5. Press two oranges and add the juice to the tea. I included some pulp of the oranges but if you prefer a very clear tea add only orange juice.
  6. Cool down and place in the fridge so the tea will become very cold.
  7. Serve with some ice cubes. You can also add some extra pieces of orange.
Lovely colour of the filtered solution.
Ready to drink, although it still has to cool a little longer.

Tip: you can vary this receipt according to your taste: you can or cannot use ginger; one or both oranges can be replaced with lemon. Also mint can be added. Other fruit you may try instead of oranges and lemon: peach, strawberry, ... . I am not sure all combinations will be great but those who do not try will not know.

Cheers! And may it reduce your thirst.

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