Texas humidity and ice cold tea: Quite a recipe. Unsweetened, to me, is preferred. I suppose I am a traditionalist in a sense. I don’t think most things need a lot of “phizzazz” added in order for their true nature to be appreciated.
A classic smooth crystal glass holding just the right of amount of pure, clean perfectly formed ice cubes; hidden from the heat, but condensing vapors, a hint of treasure. Golden chestnut color liquid cascading down over the dancing heat diffusers, creates a minute stirring of the ingredients. Light rays expose tiny ripples of current, changes in the mixed ingredients slowly realigning their positions. Tiny molecules of moisture attach themselves to the outer layer of the shimmering crystal container and as if holding hands grab each other, growing into larger droplets of atmospheric droplets. Weight finally pulls them into miniature streams of sweat devouring the shell of the mixture’s universe. Only at the right moment can the experience of the mixture be realized. Small sips, each being wholly appreciated and then, only then, can the enjoyment be shared.
The amazing thing about iced tea is that a true tea drinker never tires of the experience. He always looks forward to the next “refreshing”, visualizing in his imagination, the previous wonderment of quenching and awaiting his next thirst.
I think that's the best glass of ice tea I ever drank--I mean, read about drinking, :)
ReplyDeleteYour description made my mouth water and I don't even care for iced tea! Great job!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you should post this now, Glenn, because just yesterday I mentioned to my daughter that I'm drinking waaaay too much tea! I gave up a steady stream of cola this summer for iced tea (with just a smidgeon on sugar), making a gallon at a time and counting on it to be my afternoon mood/energy lifter...which, of course, also leads to afternoon caffeine jitters and trouble getting to sleep at night. And unless you want a sugar coma, you DON'T want to order sweet tea in a restaurant here in Georgia! But there's just something refreshing about seeing that 'golden chestnut color liquid' in a sweating glass sitting there on a hot afternoon, isn't there?
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the comments above, Glenn--if it wasn't 6:00a.m., I'd be heading to the kitchen to make some of that stuff. Love it!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite drink, aside from black unsweetened coffee in the early morning hours, is iced tea, non-sweet(?), thank you. It is such a precious beverage, only you could do it justice.
ReplyDeleteI never got ice-tea. In fact, I never got tea. IN FACT, I have a whole rant on the construct of tea and tea drinking. Ha! And in spite of all that, ya, that's spittle on my chin. Looks delicious, glenn. Wish I liked the stuff:)
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erin
You make me want to try iced tea now. I'm salivating already :) Great job once again Glenn!
ReplyDeleteyummmm....now I have to go make a pitcher. I always used to drink iced tea unsweetened until I married a southerner and sweet tea became an oh-so-enjoyable part of my life.
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly, your "just the right amount" of ice cubes is seven!! :)
ReplyDeleteUpdate: 105 in my SoCal neighborhood yesterday, Glenn. I thought about this piece all day... until I finally got home at 4:00p.m. and you can just imagine what was my first order of business. Ahhh... about 30 minutes with a glass of freshly brewed and my feet up and I was a new person!
ReplyDeleteI miss the Sweet Tea of the south. This reminded me.
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