Adding phosphate to tea

[rasnokc]

I'm just wondering if I could add phosphoric acid to home brewed tea. Has anyone tried it? I am trying to cut sugar out but can't stand plain tea or tea with lemon. I am a soft drink junkie but think its the tartness I like about them.

[Kerry Beal]

I assume you mean acid phosphate rather than phosphoric acid. I can't see why you couldn't - only one way to know!

[Lisa Shock]

Yeah, I haven't tried it, but acid phosphate is pretty easy to order online.

[minas6907]

Out of my own curiosity, why specifically acid phosphate? Would the more accessible citric acid not give the same effect?

[Panaderia Canadiense]

OP says he can't stand tea with lemon, so I'd suspect that citric acid, although more easy to procure, would produce a flavour he finds disagreeable....

[Lisa Shock]

Acid Phosphate is used for soda fountain drinks commonly called 'phosphates' and has a different flavor than citric acid. Since the OP does not like lemon in his tea, and citric acid is a major flavor component of that flavor, it's probably best avoided in this case. http://www.artofdrink.com/blog/acid-phosphate/

[Wholemeal Crank]

Hibiscus blossoms add a fruity tartness to teas that is quite distinct from citrus. One whole blossom can add pleasing flavor to a cup of tea. I use them in herbal blends all the time, but haven't mixed them with my c. sinensis teas, but I have to think they would be more interesting than phosphoric acid or acid phosphate. Another flower that adds some fruitiness although not as tart is osmanthus blossom--very nice with black teas.

[ericparkr]

Gold Peak Iced Tea.. Try this. It contains phosphoric acid.

[social@naturestealeaf.com]

If you want to cut down on sugar I would recommend organic stevia leaf. Not the powdered stevia but the actual leaf. You can add a few leaves to your teapot when brewing.  I also like to  heat water like I normally would for an herbal tea and add stevia leaf and let it steep until i basically have very sweet water. It's kind of the same principal as making a simple syrup with sugar and water. You can then store it in a sealed container in your refrigerator and use it to sweeten any beverage you like. I like it best in iced tea and homemade lemonade & limeade.