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Tea is one of the most popular and widely consumed beverages in the world, and is respected and revered not only for its delicious taste but for the various health benefits that it offers as well. Sweet tea is one of the most popular types of tea in the world and it is really no wonder why, as sweet tea is not only delicious but offers a number of different health benefits as well.

What is Sweet Tea?

Sweet tea is actually a form of iced tea. However, the difference is that with this type of tea, sugar or some other form of sweetener is used and is added to the hot water before it is boiled. It has long been considered a staple beverage in the American South in particular, and one of the most important parts of its tradition in the South is that it can be made in large quantities. Perfect for entertaining on the porch on a warm summer afternoon.

Although iced tea is much more common throughout the rest of the United States, sweet tea is available in many locations as well, and there is certainly a large following of this beverage around the world.

Making Sweet Tea

The process involved in making this tea is quite simple, although the recipe does vary quite a bit depending on the household or business. A typical recipe for this tea, however, involves bringing water to a boil, and then adding tea to steep.

You can use whichever type of tea you prefer, although dustings or fannings of Orange Pekoe tea is the typical choice. Once it has steeped, you then need to mix sugar in with the water to fill the pitcher, and you can add more or less sugar depending on your own personal taste. Most Southerners put about a cup of sugar to each half gallon.

Southerners particularly swear by this tea, and drink it by the gallons. In the South, tea in general is not just a seasonal tradition, but rather a sort of way of life, and is served year round with most meals.

Chinese Sweet Tea

Chinese sweet tea is a variation of the regular version, and this is an herbal tea which is made from the leaves of Chinese Blackberry. The leaves used here contain a natural sweetener that is known as rubusoside, which is about 200 times as sweet as cane sugar.

This particular version has long been used to alleviate a variety of health conditions and symptoms, including kidney symptoms and to help treat allergies and asthma. For a beverage that your body will love as well as your taste buds, make sweet tea your refreshment of choice.