# Instant tea: how much for a cup of hot tea? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 11, 2016, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463 "2016-11-11T04:16:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463/21 "2016-11-11T22:58:58Z")
This is the god damndest thing I’ve read here in a while. What the fuck is so difficult about answering the question as posed? ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463/22 "2016-11-11T23:04:21Z")
Given the issue of avoiding citrus, I would probably not choose Bigelow’s _Orange_ herbal tea anyway. I used to drink it; I also liked the (former) picture on the box: an orange tabby kitten looking at an orange. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463/23 "2016-11-11T23:07:10Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > This is the god damndest thing I’ve read here in a while. What the fuck is so difficult about answering the question as posed? Good point. Sorry, I’ll get right on that. > [@dougie\_monty](#): > > I got a jar of instant tea, whose label directs the user to add 1 1/3 teaspoon of instant tea to a cup of cold water, for iced tea. > I’d like to know: Is there any difference in the proportions if one is preparing a cup of _hot_ tea? No. Tea, like a lot of other beverages, is a matter of taste. The first time you make it do it according to the instructions. If you find it too weak for your taste next time use a bit more tea powder/leaves/bags/steep longer, etc. If you find it too strong for your taste next time use less. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463/24 "2016-11-12T00:06:04Z")
And, since it is a taste thing, I personally recommend using less tea for hot tea. The amount of tea you use for cold, sweet tea is a lot more, and it cooks a lot longer, getting more bitter compounds out of it, to balance out the sugar. I will admit that tea bags aren’t really that much slower, though. Heat up the water in a mug in the microwave, then put the tea bag in and let it set for 5 minutes. And no worrying about getting the right amount of tea–You didn’t let it boil, so it won’t be as strong as iced sweet tea. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463/25 "2016-11-12T00:27:20Z")
The UK really needs to organise air-drops of electric kettles to parts of the US. I’m writing to the Prime Minister in the morning. (((America))) Hold on, your friends are coming! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463/26 "2016-11-12T00:41:37Z")
_::: sigh :::_ I miss my electric kettle. It died an untimely death. _::: sniff :::_ Really, I couldn’t understand the big deal, then my sister bought me one for my birthday. _Loved_ it, totally. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463/27 "2016-11-12T01:02:39Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > This is the god damndest thing I’ve read here in a while. What the fuck is so difficult about answering the question as posed? Umm… I thought a portion of my post at least implied … its kinda silly question. The iced tea mix says 1 and 1/3 teaspoons of instant tea mix per glass of water for ice tea. How much for a cup of hot tea? And I said, the same amount. If the iced tea mix makes an 8 oz glass of iced tea, it makes an 8 oz cup of hot tea. Why would there be a difference? If the label doesn’t specify volume, infer from the serving size, or may any old concentration of tea. If its too weak, and a demitasse spoon more, if its too strong, shoot in some hot tap water. If the doctors orders isn’t that the tea not have too much caffeine, then what does it matter? A slight inconvenience in flavor? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463/28 "2016-11-12T02:44:24Z")
[Moderator note] > [@hajario](#): > > This is the god damndest thing I’ve read here in a while. What the fuck is so difficult about answering the question as posed? **hajario** , cool it. This isn’t the Pit, and that tone is uncalled-for. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463/29 "2016-11-12T07:01:04Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > [Moderator note] > **hajario** , cool it. This isn’t the Pit, and that tone is uncalled-for. Thank you, Chronos. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Postariti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Postariti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Postariti)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463/30 "2016-11-12T08:51:48Z")
I actually drink instant tea. I like it iced, but dislike it hot. If your instant tea doesn’t have directions for hot tea, it’s probably because the manufacturer thinks it’s a bad idea. I am now going to give you input on making tea for someone who isn’t picky about their tea. I don’t know if that applies to your mom or not. I make hot tea by putting a tea bag into a cup of water. I microwave it on the beverage setting. Sometimes when I take it out it looks dark enough. If it doesn’t look dark enough I bob the bag up and down a few times until the tea is darker. I put the used tea bag on a saucer and stick it in the fridge. I use it later in the day to make a second cup. Sometimes I make “fridge tea” with tea bags. It’s surprisingly easy. I put a tea bag in a glass of water and stick it in the fridge. If it’s a big glass, I use two tea bags. If I remember I do this the night before. If I forget, it only takes three or four hours to get decent fridge tea. If you want to make iced tea in a hurry, make strong hot tea. Put lots of ice into a plastic “glass.” Pour hot tea over the ice. Don’t use a glass “glass” - it can shatter. The end result will probably be weak and watery, but it will be cold, caffeinated, and taste like tea. I will check my instant tea and get back to you if it has instructions for making hot tea. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463/31 "2016-11-12T10:43:08Z")
I cheat I just use bigelows English or irish breakfast tea k cups no measuring needed ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463/32 "2016-11-12T14:33:30Z")
> [@](#): > > I am now going to give you input on making tea for someone who isn’t picky about their tea. I don’t know if that applies to your mom or not. > > I make hot tea by putting a tea bag into a cup of water. I microwave it on the beverage setting. Sometimes when I take it out it looks dark enough. If it doesn’t look dark enough I bob the bag up and down a few times until the tea is darker. Another option: Microwave a mug of water until it’s boiling (about two minutes, though your microwave might vary). Put in a teabag and wait a few minutes. It’ll reach drinkable temperature at about the same time that it reaches the right strength (again, might vary, depending on how strong and how hot you like your tea). Remove teabag, and drink. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-tea-how-much-for-a-cup-of-hot-tea/771463.md?page=1)