by
Stepy —
September 28, 2020
- There are so many reasons to love tea: The crisp yet complex taste, the way it relaxes the nerves, its ability to wake you up, and its warmth that brings people together. Its healing properties makes it one of the second best drinks after filtered water. Tea is usually served hot from the kettle, but iced tea is very popular during the summer and even winter.
- The concern is that most of the iced teas bought in stores contain high amounts of refined sugar or artificial sweeteners, which may lead to weight gain and high blood sugar. Making your own has the unique advantage of controlling the ingredients.
- What you need to make you own iced tea:
- Hot water
- Ice
- Drinking container (mug, glass, mason jar, etc.)
- Extra cup (for steeping tea)
- Your favorite organic tea (we recommend Numi Tea as a reputable source because it is organic, GMO-free, and pesticide-free)
- Strainer or infuser (if using loose-leaf tea)
- Tea kettle
- Tea cozy (optional)
- Tips on how to brew the perfect cup of tea: (as recommended by Dr. Joseph Mercola)
- Brewing tea is not just about drinking a tea bag into hot water, it is a real experience.
- 1. Boil water in a tea kettle (avoid non-stick pots, as they can leach harmful chemicals)
- 2. Preheat your tea pot or cup to prevent water from cooling when transferred. Add a small amount of boiling water to the container you are using.
- 3. Cover the pot or cup with a lid.
- 4. Let it stand until cup becomes hot, then pour out the water.
- 5. Add the tea using an infuser, strainer, or add loose leaves into the pot. Without an infuser or strainer, your tea will be more flavorful.
- 6. Start with one heaping teaspoon per cup of tea.
- 7. Add boiling water to pot or cup. (For 2 teaspoons of tea, add two cups of water, etc.)
- 8. The ideal water temperature depends on the type of tea that you are steeping
- White or green teas: Well below boiling (170-185 F or 76-85 C). Once the water is boiling, let the water cool for 30 seconds for white tea and 60 seconds for green tea.
- Oolong teas: 185-210 F or 85-98 C.
- Black teas and Pu-erh teas: Full rolling boil (212 F or 100 C)
- Cover the pot with a cozy and let it steep. Make sure to taste frequently, as you don’t want the tea to end up bitter.
- Here are some general guidelines for steeping times:
- Oolong teas: 4-7 minutes
- Black teas: 3-5 minutes
- Green teas: 2-3 minutes
- Once desired flavor is achieved, remove the strainer or infuser. If using loose-leaf tea, pour through a strainer to get rid of the leaves.
- How to make the iced tea:
- Once you have brewed the perfect cup, it is time to make the iced tea. You can add organic sweeteners like raw honey or coconut nectar.
- Let the freshly brewed tea cool for a few minutes.
- While the tea is cooling, fill your drinking container with ice.
- Once the tea is cooled, pour over the ice into your container.
- Enjoy!
