On any given morning you can usually find me sitting at my kitchen table sipping a fresh cup of tea. I don’t usually drink coffee, although I do love a good cinnamon dolce latte in the fall. This morning in particular as the warm summer breeze lazily drifts through the trees and the cicadas sing, the thought of brewing a pitcher of sweet tea came to mind. Summer is in full swing, especially in the southern states and that means a copious amount of sweet tea must always be at the ready. What made this thought pop into my head I wondered, as I realized my gaze was fixated on the recently washed peach colored plastic tea pitcher sitting on the counter.
THE TEA EPIPHANY
I Just want to clarify here, this is not a history such as the East India Trading Company or the Sons of Liberty dumping chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. It’s more personal, it’s closer to my own heart, it’s my history with the most Southern of refreshments.
The pitcher in question that coaxed my domestic urge and flooded my mind with so many memories has quit the history all its own.
THE PITCHER WITH A PAST
There really isn’t anything special about it as far as looks go, it is actually quite plain, cylindrical peach colored plastic with a handle, all one piece, and a white removable lid, you know the kind. I have a half gallon version in light beige as well. I don’t know where or exactly when it was purchased but if I had to guess it was somewhere around circa 1993 and somewhere in or around Palm Coast, Florida. So it has been in our family for over 25 years now and counting- and I could not even think of letting go of it.
Let me elaborate.
The main reason is that It has accumulated so much character over the years, from the dark tea stains that now line the inside to the many scrapes and scratches all around it’s outside.
The tea stains that coat the inside are a permanent reminder of so many lazy summer days there in my Dad’s condo beside the ocean, making countless memories along the shore right above the treasure coast. And the scratches, many I would like to think from my children banging it in and out of the fridge summer after summer while visiting their Grandfather.
Visits to my Fathers were so frequent from the 1990s throughout the many years he resided there. After my parents divorced he settled in the quintessential little beach community in that lone condo building on the coquina laden beaches near Washington Oaks State Park.
When he moved to the Condo he brought only his clothes, his pool queue and the Ibanez acoustic guitar which is still lovingly preserved in its case to this day.
So, setting up a home again was a necessity. The condo was already somewhat furnished which makes me wonder if the peach Pitcher could have already been part of the already equipped kitchen when it became part of our family. Unfortunately it’s past up to that point is, and will always remain a mystery. But I like to think that I was just sitting, waiting for a family to bring it to life through loving use.
WAYBACK
Prior to this point, while I was growing up in Kissimmee Florida I cannot remember a day, summer or winter, when there was not a pitcher of tea made by the time my dad got home from work. It was usually made in a tupperware pitcher, you know the ones. They have that push button top and came in orange- green-or gold, I think we owned every color throughout the years.
As soon as I was able to reach the freezer to get ice and able to pour from the pitcher I was tasked with keeping my dad’s tea glass full throughout the evening, which I was always respectfully happy to do. Even then I was taught that my parents’ hard work made our comfortable life a reality, and to be respectful of that fact.
THE RIGHT TEA
I come from a long line of sweet tea drinkers. Mom always, ALWAYS bought the same brand of tea. Luzianne, which I now do as well. It may be a family taste preference I believe -or- how I was raised possibly but I can remember going to the Super Market when I was little “when they still put those standing ashtrays at the end of each aisle” and to this day I can remember vividly what the inside of that store looked like and where the different departs were.
I have also been known to covet sweet tea from a few of the BBQ restaurants around Nashville, BBQ establishments just have the best sweet tea.
BACK TO THE PEACH PITCHER
For over 25 years and countless visits to my Dad’s by the ocean the Peach pitcher was always there waiting, filled with sweet tea. The memories we all made there of fishing or swimming in the pool, ocean or playing on 2 Morey Boogie Boards my Dad kept in his closet. They are from the early 90’s. I still have them and all of his fishing gear stowed away ready for our next ocean adventure.
We would plan fun little local trips like St. Augustine or Fort Matanzas but mostly all we wanted to do was go fishing, we’d spend all day out on the beach, poll in hand, listening to the mediating sound of waves and gulls, watching the flocks of pelicans fly low along the waves occasionally disappearing between them to re emerge unscathed.
In those days after we’d spent many hours of play — the afternoon thunderstorms would roll through (as they still do in summer there). we’d retreat to the condo’s living room and sit around the coffee table playing dice or “toss the pigs” eating salty pistachios or chips with homemade onion dip – and sip sweet tea as we watched the storms out over the ocean pass by.
After the rains we’d sometimes wander around the pools or walk through the oak hammocks or down the docks to the beach with a solo cup of tea or wine, soaking in the coolness and fresh salty air that now hung humid and heavy.
When supper-time came we’d boil piles of crab legs or pink shrimp ,along with collards, bake cornbread and cook up a pot of Vgio yellow rice and of course sweet tea and chilled wine. I have a story about a bottle of wine, a locked pool gate and a daring escape, but that’s for another time.
While there we’d usually sample some of the newest local cuisine as well. Perusing the little family owned establishments along A1A, we’ve found a few culinary treasures over the years. But the landscape is constantly changing so there’s always something new to partake in.
These seem like such fond but, so distant memories now. I can still feel the salty air sticking to my skin and the smell of strong ozone from those afternoon downpours.
But that is all they can be now, Memories. Dad passed in March of 2015 and his soul is now part of the great and beautiful ocean he held so dearly in his heart. His love passed in October 2015 as well. A piece of my heart went with them both but my love for them is as strong today.
We no longer own the condo but, the peach pitcher is currently sitting in my fridge now, filled with lightly sweet and delightful tea (Luzianne of course).
I live far from my roots and memories in central Florida now. In landlocked Tennessee I now reside. But I carry my home with me in my heart, always. But sometimes when I am immersed in quiet – home Beckons. Florida has this tranquil and sublime allure that entwines its native born and captivates visitors. It calls to my heart faintly like sometimes as a whisper of an ocean breeze, or some days so loudly I can hear nothing else, like those thunderous, wild storms of summer. I have a feeling that soon, –very soon, I will be unable to ignore it’s calling and have to return to my home, my family, my Florida.
HERITAGE
I come from a long line of sweet tea drinkers and as I’ve said, our tea brewing rituals usually stay with the tradition that has been handed down to us, most of us now only drink “Sweet” tea as a treat and have omitted most of the sugar. And my Southern cousins and I all agree that when the occasion arises Publix sweet tea is perfectly acceptable when unable to brew your own. I absolutely love stopping by Publix Deli for some of their delicious fried chicken or spicy winglets, tater logs (yes, I said tater) macaroni salad, BBQ beans, hawaiian rolls and some of their sweet tea.
For any summer get together, a patio party of unexpected guests that pop in -or- if the word “cook” just isn’t in your vocabulary that day. Sometimes I wonder if the peach pitcher came from Publix, but as I’ve said it’s origin will forever remain a mystery. Which just adds to its equivocal charm.
THE HEALTHY SIDE OF THE SOUTH
My sugar intake has become little to none in recent years as I strive to eliminate processed sugars and foods and I have adapted a mostly plant based diet recently to improve my overall health and longevity. Most if not all of the family members and friends I have lost in recent years have died too soon, in their 70’s or even 50’s needlessly due to poor health choices, such as diet, lack of exercise and the big one, smoking. I found out that my Dad’s partner had stage 4 lung cancer 2 days after my father’s death, this was beyond devastating. She conveyed a warning that day to me though. She said the reason for her poor health was “not living right” in her words. These 3 words stuck to me like salty air and so, since then I have strived to live right by my body.
Do your research, read articles and books on living the best life possible, be kind to your body and especially your brain. lower your refined sugar and flour intake, and take small steps each day to better your health.
TRADITION
Our tea brewing rituals are ingrained in us by our Mothers, grandmothers, aunts and neighbors. It is a cherished recipe we share with one another and pass down, we take pride in all that comes from our kitchens. It is our pleasure as a well learned host or hostess to offer our guests a warm and hospitable welcome and a cool drink when they cross the threshold of our homes.
THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
My mom had a set of turquoise aluminum Club cookware when I was growing up and that medium size “pot” was perfect for brewing tea in. It was the designated tea brewing pot in Mom’s kitchen. She still has that tea stained pot, lovingly preserved although no longer in use.
If you go into any Southern Kitchen pantry you are probably going to run across one of these tea stained heirlooms.
FLAVOR
I’ve become a true tea connoisseur over the years. So many factors influence the taste of tea, and there are so many preferences and variations on how we southerners make our tea. From the type of tea, water and brewing process there are many many methods, here — is mine.
THE TRIED AND TRUE RECIPES
Using an old 2 quart Revere Ware copper bottom pot I fill it to about 2 inches from the rim with filtered water (chlorine + tea = nasty). I add 7 regular sized or 3-4 family sized tea bags to the water, usually tying the strings together to make cleanup easier. I dangle the paper tabs over the edge so as not to have them in the tea. But this is not recommended if you are using a gas cooktop as they will easily catch fire, not that I have done this countless times and can speak from experience, not-at-all. I’ve gotten into the habit of just removing these tabs to avoid the whole mess.
I heat the water just to the first signs of a boil, immediately shut it off and set it aside to steep for about 20 minutes. I enjoy the rich flavor that seeping gives my ice tea. But, don’t care for the taste once the water has begun to boil.
Add sugar to your pitcher (this is personal preference) I know some deep southerners that add up to 2 cups of sugar per gallon of tea, again this is personal preference. If I add sugar these days I usually add about ⅔ of a cup and I have a long handled wooden spoon that is loving tea stains I use to mix my tea and sugar.
Don’t get me wrong, I do love some extremely sweet tea on occasion and I will go through the Martin’s BBQ drive through here in Tennessee just to get a cup of their sweet tea on a hot summer day. And that irresistible BBQ they craft, Lord have Mercy!
Or, if I am in my home state of Florida (yes I am a Native Floridian) I will head straight for the nearest Sonny’s BBQ for some Redneck Egg Rolls and of course, sweet tea. There is truly nothing better to quench your southern craving than BBQ and sweet tea, but I digress.
I grew up pouring already chilled tea into a glass ⅓ filled with ice, as not to water it down. “A Classic”. As I became more worldly in my tea drinking I was introduced to lemon in my tea and water, which I now enjoy. Flavored teas abound in the grocery aisle now, I am very fond of hibiscus tea and love it over ice with blue and black berries muddled a bit in the glass.
And who would I be if I did not mention a cocktail version. The sweet tea and bourbon cocktail is a refreshing summer drink with sweet tea. It should be a fruit flavored tea such as peach or hibiscus, bourbon of your choice, simple syrup, ice and a lemon or fruit wedge. Again so many different variations of this, and, I encourage experimentation with the abundant varieties available.
I certainly hope you enjoy it!
