RachanaC (Rachel)-iHeartTeas

Really? I actually managed more than 1 gallon from each pouch. I didn’t follow the instructions on the package, though. I used about 3 teaspoons of tea and steeped in my smart brewing device. Steeped the first infusion for 1 1/2 minutes, second infusion 2 minutes, third infusion 3 minutes, and the fourth 4 minutes (resteeping the same measurement of leaves each time). Then, I used room temp water to fill the rest of the half gallon pitcher. I added ice cubes to each glass of iced tea, and the tea had a very pleasing strength even with the ice cubes.

I just don’t know what to say. I will try again but it just such an expensive trial and error process.

This makes me sad. I really wanted these to be simple and easy. It is a full ounce of a very stout CTC tea. It should be plenty of tea to make a full gallon. Did you bring the water to a FULL rolling boil? Did you steep the tea loose and pour it through a filter after it steeped?

I had issues with a watery watermelon, too. Then I made the prickly pear and it came out much nicer. I found that if I filled the Breville and steeped for 10 minutes, then I didn’t have to add as much water because I had a large amount of really strong tea and when I added ice cubes and water it was much better. I guess my recommendation would be to make as large a pot of STRONG tea as you can and then add the remaining water and ice cubes.

Frank – I made it in a separate container at extra strength and filtered it into a larger one gallon container with water. Don’t understand it.