How to Make Citrus Iced Black Tea
May 3, 2023
How to make citrus black iced tea to refresh you and to boost your immune system.
Black tea, which is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, offers a number of potential health benefits. Some of the benefits of black tea include:
- Antioxidant properties: Black tea contains flavonoids, which are natural antioxidants that help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. This may help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
- Improved heart health: Black tea has been shown to improve heart health by reducing blood pressure, improving blood flow, and lowering levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood.
- Enhanced cognitive function: Black tea contains caffeine and theanine, which are both known to improve cognitive function, including alertness, attention, and memory.
- Potential cancer prevention: Some studies have suggested that the antioxidants in black tea may help to prevent certain types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, lung, and colorectal cancer.
- Oral health: Black tea may help to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease by inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
- Digestive health: Black tea has been shown to promote digestive health by reducing inflammation and improving gut bacteria balance.
It is worth noting that while black tea has potential health benefits, consuming excessive amounts of caffeine can have negative effects, such as increasing anxiety, disrupting sleep, and causing heart palpitations. Therefore, it is important to consume black tea in moderation, and to be mindful of caffeine intake from other sources as well.
Adding citrus, such as lemon or lime, to black tea can provide a variety of benefits, including:
- Enhanced flavor: The tartness and brightness of citrus can complement the rich, earthy flavor of black tea, creating a delicious and refreshing drink.
- Boosted immunity: Citrus fruits are a rich source of vitamin C, which can help to strengthen the immune system and protect against colds, flu, and other illnesses.
- Increased antioxidant intake: Black tea is already a good source of antioxidants, but adding citrus can further boost its antioxidant content, providing extra protection against free radical damage and inflammation.
- Improved digestion: The natural acidity of citrus can help to stimulate digestion and relieve bloating and indigestion, making it a good choice after meals.
- Reduced caffeine jitters: While black tea contains caffeine, citrus fruits can help to counteract its effects, reducing the jitters and promoting a more balanced and sustained energy boost.
This citrus iced black tea is super refreshing and a great Summer drink. You can make it with black or green tea. Both will be delicious.
For this iced tea we will use oranges, lemons and basil leaves. We will place it all inside a 1- quart Mason jar, hang two tea bags on the side and add boiling water. We will let it cool down and then refrigerate it. Hours later we will serve it over iced and enjoy a delicious, refreshing glass of goodness.
On top of being a great Summer drink, this tea has quite a bit of Vitamin C. Enjoy it anytime you want.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional medical care. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication
How to Make Citrus Iced Black Tea
Makes 4 cups
1 – 1 quart jar or pitcher with a lid
2 bags black or green tea
2 large slices of oranges — unseeded
4 slices lemon — unseeded
6 basil leaves
Boiling water
Sweetener optional
Make sure to scrub the orange and lemon well before you slice it. Rinse off the basil leaves. Place the oranges, lemons and basil inside the jar or pitcher.
Hang the tea bags on the edge of the jar and fill with boiling water. Let the tea steep for 15 minutes.
Allow tea to cool down, cover and refrigerate for a good three hours.
Strain into a glass filled with ice and enjoy!