Iced tea with Magnolia Blossoms
As the gentle warmth of spring gives way to the vibrant days of summer, our kitchen becomes a hub of creativity, especially when it comes to refreshing beverages. One of our favorite seasonal rituals is brewing a robust iced tea, a perfect blend of leftover winter teas and the bright, fresh flavors of spring. This year, we've added a delightful twist: fresh magnolia blossoms, which transform our iced tea into a visually stunning and deliciously tangy drink.
Our iced tea journey begins with a diverse mix of teas—black, green, and various flavored blends—that have cozied up in our canisters through the colder months. To this rich base, we add a mélange of dried flowers, herbs, and fruits, along with citrus rinds, crafting a complex foundation of flavors.
For a robust batch, we might use up to 300 grams of tea and fruit mix, complemented by another 300 grams of sweeteners like sugar, honey, or syrups, depending on what we have on hand. After mixing these ingredients, we pour in boiling water to steep the blend, extracting every ounce of flavor. The magic happens as we tweak the concoction with citric or malic acid, balancing the tartness to our liking.
Once steeped, the tea is cooled and sieved, resulting in a concentrated iced tea extract. This extract is stored in the fridge, ready to be diluted with ice-cold water—usually at a ratio of about 1:5 or even 1:7—right before serving. This is when our iced tea truly comes to life.
The final flourish to our iced tea is the garnish, which we approach with the enthusiasm of crafting a Nordic tiki cocktail. We scatter in blueberries from last year's harvest, still vibrant from their time in the freezer, which bleed their beautiful red hues into the tea. Fresh slices of citrus add a zesty brightness, a nod to the upcoming summer.
However, the true star of our iced tea is the addition of fresh magnolia blossoms. Known for their delicate ginger and citrus aroma, along with a sweet floral undertone, these blossoms are not just a garnish but a transformative ingredient. Placed in a pitcher full of ice, with square crystal cuts, the pink and white petals catch the light beautifully, turning each pour into a visual feast that mirrors the bounty of the season.
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