best tasting iced tea

I work in a restaurant and one of our least popular drinks is our iced tea. My manager recently asked for a better iced tea we could buy in bulk. Un flavored. Currently we use some orange peoke tea from sysco. I don’t drink black teas often. Can anyone help me out?

7 Replies
tb said

I personally would think that a flavored iced tea would sell better than an unflavored iced tea. I’d much rather grab a raspberry iced tea than something harsh like a flat black tea. I feel like if you want to have tea hold some sort of chance against other iced drinks, I would go for a flavored tea. Also, maybe try to stick to something that brews pink/red. More appealing to the general crowd than a black tea.

Saying that, I think some good options would be:
http://www.abcstores.com/browse.cfm/4,253.html (my favorite iced tea of all time, but the shipping would be interesting. I like the pineapple one :) and could be advertised as “Hawaiian”)

http://www.adagio.com/herbal/wild_strawberry.html

http://www.adagio.com/iced/mango_iced_pouch.html (black tea)

http://www.starbucksfs.com/Products/Details/Passion_Iced_Tea
http://www.starbucksfs.com/Products/Details/3_gallon_iced_tea_wrap__tazo__round_ (a lot of people know about Tazo and passion seems to be one of starbuck’s best selling iced teas)

p.s. if you get loose leaf tea, you should put some on display ;)

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OMGsrsly said

If you’re making it in bulk and storing it in the fridge, add a pinch of baking soda for every 1/2 gallon (2 litres) of tea, especially if the tea isn’t designed for iced tea. If you make it unsweetened, offer lemon, sugar syrup, mint leaves, berries, other citrus slices as you have them.

The type of tea used depends completely on personal taste. I really like Harney and Sons organic iced black tea, but that might be too expensive to spring on your boss. :) No baking soda needed with that one. It’s so delicious brewed as per the instructions.

Mmmmm tea said

Baking soda? What? Why?

OMGsrsly said

If you’re using really tannic tea (like cheap tea bags), it cuts the bitterness/astringency. I see it in a lot of Southern style iced tea recipe, and imagine it would be even more important if you’re making unsweetened iced tea.

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Katiek said

White Lion sells iced tea in bulk, but it may be more than your restaurant wants to spend. Two Leaf and Mighty Leaf are more moderate options, and Republic of Tea is more budget friendly.

I also echo the option of offering some flavored teas such as passionfruit, peach or raspberry, something that won’t overload the food flavor. They could also consider a green tea which many people like, maybe with a mint or tropical fruit flavor, especially in summer.

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I agree with the flavored tea, thanks for everyone’s suggestions!

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Mmmmm tea said

The Most delicious iced tea is David’s Tea “Hot Lips”
It’s spicy and a bit sweet, so good!

Also, I’m not a fan of Teavana, but they do make some teas that make fantastic iced tea. My favorite is “Apple Lemon Pomegranate”
and "Strawberry Lemonade is seriously good too.

I live in a super hot area in the summer, and I live off of Iced Teas.
Any body else have some good suggestions?

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