So, June is National Iced Tea Month.  Sounds just about right. But here in Arizona all Summer should be declared Iced Tea Season starting at the end of March.  I LOVE ICED TEA!  All flavors.  There are so many interesting ways to have it, with or without mint, with flavored or simple syrups, with fruit, with fancy ice cubes and funny straws.  It’s all good.  I don’t think we experiment enough with the ways we have it.  What could possible go wrong, right? WRONG!  You can mess iced tea up just like you could hot tea.  If you do not use the proper steeping times or water temperatures.  If you know what they are you are better prepared for great tea.  Now, some people are so anxious to drink their tea, they don’t let it cool down before drinking.  It is best when you bring the tea to room temperature before you refrigerate it. Doing this will make your tea nice and clear…not cloudy.  It all adds to the experience.  Who says you can’t have that same relaxing feeling drinking iced tea that you have with hot tea?

How about frozen teas or tea smoothies for the summer.  We are getting in matcha to do matcha lattes now.  Matcha is the highest form of Japanese shade grown tea you can get.  We serve it hot with soy or milk or water but we will do them as lattes for the summer.  We are also getting into tea smoothies..so don’t just think hot tea this summer.  Also, have you ever tried and iced Chai. Delicious.  Get with the program and have some iced tea, frozen tea or tea lattes this Summer. See you soon at The Loft!