Originally Posted by
nkedel
Iced tea (and indeed tea in general) is best off without sweeteners (or any other additives); if it's bitter enough it isn't pleasant to drink without sweetener, it means it's overbrewed.
I know people who like coffee that way, and sparkling water (or seltzer) is generally distinguished from sodas specifically because it's unsweetened (and most often, unflavored, although flavored waters are certainly a thing as well.)
I agree re: sweeteners. I guess living in cooler climes and culturally, I just prefer hot teas, which is usually crappily and weakly made in N. America for the most part. Black (I drink bulk Indian market tea, loose leaf) in the afternoon (or occasional morning) beverage and green only with appropriate meals (e.g., Chinese, Japanese). No tea bags, ever. Water is always refreshing (even the filtered tap water - the unfiltered leaves a nasty aftertaste) but offers little complexity. Also try not to contribute to plastic waste and the hassle of returning bottles for the deposit return (I'm cheap and want it all back on principle, which few places give)....
There's no accounting for taste. I don't enjoy wine or beer as much as many, but in their place some of them are every bit as enjoyable to me as the things you mentioned that I enjoy (basically, not coffee; there's no accounting for taste but that's one I truly don't get.)
Everyone tastes things differently, or in some case have no capability to taste. e.g., I don't have the receptor(s) for whatever's in black truffles so that's totally wasted on me. My cats also don't have the receptor for cat nip.