Sweet Tea Anyone?

You can always tell when you're in the South when you ask a waitress for iced tea, and she replies "Sweet or unsweet". Yep, that's a sure fire indication that you're in the South. And you're in the Deep South when she uses words like "honey", "sugar", and "darlin'" while talking to you. Conversely, you can tell when you're NOT in the South when you ask for sweet tea, and they look at you funny or say something like "well, we have sugar and sweetener on the table". How sad. You can also tell you're in the South when beverage refills are free. Well, except for adult beverages. I know a man who was raised in New York City and was visiting places down South. He tried sweet tea and LOVED it. In fact, he downed a glass before his food arrived. When he asked how much the refills were, the waitress asked "Honey, you're in the South and down here, there is no charge for refills". He was ecstatic! In fact, he ended up moving down South. Here's my favorite sweet tea recipe. 3 Family sized tea bags or 9 regular sized tea bags a pinch baking soda* (about 1/4 teaspoon) 3/4 to 4/5 cups of raw sugar 1 gallon pitcher Bring 3-4 cups of water to a boil. Add tea bags and remove from heat and cover. Allow to sit for at least 10-15 minutes. Add baking soda and sugar to pitcher. Pour tea into gallon pitcher. Fill remaining gallon pitcher with tap water. Refrigerate. *The soda takes out the bitterness and darkens the tea....this small amount doesnt change the taste.