What is typically the first step when preparing sweet tea?

The first step in preparing sweet tea is to add water and sugar together. Starting with this step allows the sugar to dissolve effectively as the water heats up. When preparing sweet tea, the goal is to ensure that the sugar integrates well into the solution, creating a sweet base for the tea.

While boiling water is essential for steeping the tea bags, adding the sugar to the water at the beginning can help maintain the desired sweetness throughout the beverage. Once the sugar is dissolved, the next steps would typically involve boiling the water, steeping the tea bags, and then allowing the mixture to cool before serving. This sequence ensures an even distribution of sweetness and rich flavor in the final product.