Straight Up Southern Sweet Tea

Just recently, I was reading an article that told you how to make Southern sweet tea. Interested, I read on. All was quiet until I shouted out, "no, no, no". Jeffery asked me what the matter was. I said, "This article says you should put baking soda in your tea when you make it". "What?" He asked. I know I shouldn't get upset over something so trivial, but being a Southern gal, sweet tea is kinda sacred around here. Put blueberries, blackberries, or qumquats in your tea for all I care. But, please don't put baking soda! This is how I make it:

2 family sized tea bags

8 cups of water

3/4 to 1 cup of sugar

Place 4 cups of water in a sauce pan. Add the tea bags and bring to a boil. As soon as the tea starts to boil turn off the heat. Set you timer for 3 to 4 minutes according to the strength you like. While the tea is still hot, stir in your sugar to dissolve. Add the remaining 4 cups of water and let cool. Makes a 1/2 gallon.