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Iced Tea
Do specialty packages blended specifically for iced tea really make a better pitcher than a chilled-down version of the old-fashioned stuff?
Top Pick
WinnerTazo Iced Black Tea
Buy at AmazonTazo was the only tea that tasters felt had a distinctive flavor. A few tasters didn't like the herbal presence, but most found it pleasant and inviting. Several commented it was an "interesting" tea, with an intriguing flavor, "Just the right level of strength and astringency with a pleasant hint of something floral."
Price at Time of Testing: $28.00 for 28 ounces
Tazo was the only tea that tasters felt had a distinctive flavor. A few tasters didn't like the herbal presence, but most found it pleasant and inviting. Several commented it was an "interesting" tea, with an intriguing flavor, "Just the right level of strength and astringency with a pleasant hint of something floral."
Price at Time of Testing: $28.00 for 28 ounces
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What You Need to Know
While most flavored, sweetened, and canned or bottled iced tea is created specifically to compete in the soft drink market, manufacturers are recognizing that some tea buyers want to brew regular tea, chill it, and add their own flavorings. We decided to test several labeled "specially blended for iced tea."
We conducted two tests, both using spring water brought to the same temperature in an electric kettle and then cooled to refrigerator temperature (40 degrees). For the first test, we followed the packages' brewing instructions; for the second we brewed them all identically, using the same tea leaf-to-water ratio and steeping time. Lemon and sugar weren't allowed, and all the teas were judged for astringency, strength, and overall flavor.
When the teas were brewed according to package instructions, only two contestants separated themselves from the pack. When the teas were brewed identically, the same brand continued to top the ratings.
Everything We Tested
Recommended
WinnerTazo Iced Black Tea
Tazo was the only tea that tasters felt had a distinctive flavor. A few tasters didn't like the herbal presence, but most found it pleasant and inviting. Several commented it was an "interesting" tea, with an intriguing flavor, "Just the right level of strength and astringency with a pleasant hint of something floral."
Price at Time of Testing: $28.00 for 28 ounces
Tazo was the only tea that tasters felt had a distinctive flavor. A few tasters didn't like the herbal presence, but most found it pleasant and inviting. Several commented it was an "interesting" tea, with an intriguing flavor, "Just the right level of strength and astringency with a pleasant hint of something floral."
Price at Time of Testing: $28.00 for 28 ounces
Luzianne Tea
This tea earned its second place by having the broadest appeal; it received almost no negative comments, and was widely rated as a decent, simple tea—not too strong or astringent.
Price at Time of Testing: $4.00 for 8 ounces
This tea earned its second place by having the broadest appeal; it received almost no negative comments, and was widely rated as a decent, simple tea—not too strong or astringent.
Price at Time of Testing: $4.00 for 8 ounces
Tetley Premium Blend Iced Tea
This tea separated itself slightly from the pack in that it had measurable astringency, which some tasters identified as a dry, leafy taste and a slight bitterness. While some tasters felt the astringency gave it authority, others thought it was too harsh.
Price at Time of Testing: $2.65 for 6 ounces
This tea separated itself slightly from the pack in that it had measurable astringency, which some tasters identified as a dry, leafy taste and a slight bitterness. While some tasters felt the astringency gave it authority, others thought it was too harsh.
Price at Time of Testing: $2.65 for 6 ounces
Recommended with Reservations
Lipton Cold Brew Tea
When we cold-brewed this tea per package directions, the nicest compliment it received was that "one could drink loads of it, since the flavor was so delicate". Most of the other comments compared it to flavored water. However, when we brewed it according to our method of making iced tea, the tea earned a satisfactory rating, tasters calling it "a solid contender" and a "classic iced tea".
Price at Time of Testing: $4.69 for 4.8 ounces
When we cold-brewed this tea per package directions, the nicest compliment it received was that "one could drink loads of it, since the flavor was so delicate". Most of the other comments compared it to flavored water. However, when we brewed it according to our method of making iced tea, the tea earned a satisfactory rating, tasters calling it "a solid contender" and a "classic iced tea".
Price at Time of Testing: $4.69 for 4.8 ounces
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