Family gatherings, those cherished moments filled with laughter, love, and, of course, an abundance of delicious food and drinks! At Piper and Leaf, we might be a tad biased, but we believe there's nothing quite like sharing a cup (or a gallon!) of your favorite tea when coming together to celebrate those special moments. So, let's dive into the super easy process of brewing up a fresh gallon of Piper and Leaf tea, customized just the way you like it!
Alright, let's get started!
Materials You'll Need:
- Your favorite Piper and Leaf tea blend(s)
- A Tea Press or Dripper
- A Jar for Your Concentrate
- A Pour Spout
- A Measuring Cup
Brewing Concentrate:
First things first, choose your absolute favorite tea blend(s) – but hey, if you can't decide, why not go for a couple? More variety, more fun!
1. Measure out 35 grams (that's one muslin bag) of your chosen loose-leaf tea into your brewing device.
2. Now, pour 28 ounces of hot water into your brewing device, making sure to hit that fill line in the press or just below the top curve in your dripper. Oh, and don't forget to check the blend's info for the water temperature!
3. Start your timer according to the blend’s steeping time and give it a good stir. Keep stirring every 45-60 seconds to extract the best flavor.
4. When the time's up, for the press: pop the lid on and slowly push down the top to lower the filter screen. Then pour that concentrated tea into your trusty quart jar. For the dripper: gently depress the lever and watch that concentrated tea flow gracefully into the waiting jar below. Hold down the lever until every last drop is safely in the jar.
5. Let it cool for a bit before sealing the jar with a solid gold lid or fitting your pour spout. Voila! Your concentrate is ready to chill in the fridge or to start whipping up some refreshing teas!
And remember, your concentrate will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 3-4 weeks in the fridge... though let's be real, it probably won't last that long!
How to Brew Simple Syrup:
Materials Needed:
- A Pot with a lid
- 4 cups of Sugar
- 2 cups of Water
- A Spoon or Stirring Mechanism
Here's how to brew:
1. We like to keep things simple with a 2:1 ratio for our syrup. So, into your pot goes 4 cups of sugar.
2. Add in 2 cups of water and stir until every last sugar crystal is dissolved.
3. Once dissolved, pop that pot onto high heat with the lid on. Keep the lid on except when stirring occasionally to dissolve any remaining sugar.
4. Bring your simple syrup to a rolling boil (lid still on).
5. When it's boiling away happily, switch off the heat (lid still on) and let it cool down.
6. Once it's warm (not hot), transfer it into your container of choice, top it with a pour spout, and you're all set to drizzle that sweet goodness into drinks or desserts!
And hey, no need to refrigerate your simple syrup – just keep it in a cool spot away from any heat, and you're golden!
Now for the moment we have all been waiting for, how to brew a gallon!
Our Golden Ratio
For that perfect, refreshing gallon pitcher of Piper & Leaf tea, here's what you'll need:
- For Sweet Tea: 16 oz Concentrated Tea + 10 oz Simple Syrup + Cold Water to fill
- For Unsweetened Tea: 18 oz Concentrated Tea + Cold Water to fill
Store your pitcher of tea in the fridge and enjoy a ready-to-drink glass of delicious tea whenever you’d like! If stored properly, your tea pitcher should be good for 5-7 days.
Simply stir until everything's mixed up just right!
And don't forget, if your crew has different tea preferences, set out your concentrate and simple syrup so everyone can customize their drink exactly how they like it. It's all about those personalized touches, folks!
So there you have it – a friendly, fun guide to brewing up a storm of delicious Piper and Leaf tea for your next family gathering. Set out those ingredients with a sprinkle of charm, and you'll have everyone feeling like tea connoisseurs in no time!
