Perfect Iced Tea

Directions

1. 1
   In a 2-quart sized saucepan, put the hot water and bring to a boil.
2. 2
   Add the tea bags.
3. 3
   Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to steep for 10 minutes.
4. 4
   No more, no less.
5. 5
   Set the timer.
6. 6
   If the tea sits for too long, it will extract bitter elements from the tea leaves, making the finished product taste horrible.
7. 7
   When the time is up, remove and discard the tea bags.
8. 8
   Pour the cold water into a 2-quart sized pitcher.
9. 9
   Pour the hot tea into the pitcher, over top of the cold water.
10. 10
    You put the cold water in first, so as to buffer the pitcher from being melted by the boiling water.
11. 11
    Add the sugar or honey if you like, stirring to dissolve it completely.
12. 12
    Put the pitcher into the fridge to cool.