Some people can be a little ambivalent towards iced tea; seeing that tea is largely enjoyed as a hot, warming drink. However, as you sweat profusely in the heat of the summer, the yearning for a long, tall, cool drink overpowers the stigma of only drinking tea warm.

Does iced tea contain benefits that we usually associate with tea?

Well yes, actually iced tea contains many of the benefits usually associated with tea. This is especially true if it is the freshly brewed variety rather than the bottled or canned variety. It is not at all difficult to make iced tea at home, and can infused with a variety of different flavors and seasonings as well!

Which is the best way to have iced tea?

Studies have shown that freshly brewed tea which is then chilled is best and most beneficial way to have iced tea. Iced tea does not have to come out of a bottle or a can. Also if you do decide to make iced at home it’s better to brew it rather than to use instant tea, since instant tea has fewer of the antioxidants that make tea so healthy. It has been shown that chilled tea does not have any fewer antioxidants than the same cup when hot!

What is a simple Iced Tea Recipe?

This simple recipe for iced tea has a bit of lime and hint of mint, for a refreshing combination. It’s both sweet and tart at the same time. The lime juice tastes better if it is freshly squeezed.
You will need:

• 1 quart or four cups of water, boiling
• Four level teaspoons tea leaves (you may require to adjust this according to the kind of tea you use, but generally a level teaspoon per cup works well for iced tea)
• A bunch of fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup sugar (you can lower the quantity of sugar as this measure will make it a good sweet drink)
• 1/4 cup lime juice

Preparation:

While the water is boiling, add the mint leaves and let boil for a minute or so. If the water acquires a greenish tinge, don’t worry, that’s just the mint which has many health giving properties as well! Then turn off the heat and add the tea and sugar to the mint water, and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain out the tea and mint leaves. Chill and add lime juice and garnish with some more fresh mint leaves before serving. Enjoy!

For more iced tea recipes, refer to our tea recipes resource page.

Tags: iced tea, Recipes