Tea is one of the most famous health drinks out there. It is naturally flavored and usually full of beneficial ingredients such as antioxidants that can increase your wellbeing and even help you lose weight. Plus, it is a great way to keep you hydrated if you are tired of just drinking plain old water. Unfortunately, the sometimes bitter taste of plain tea isn’t for everyone. If you’re like me and need a little boost to make tea more flavorful, try adding these any of these eight ingredients to your next cup.
Cinnamon
Brewing your tea with a stick of cinnamon makes the whole house smell great while the flavor it produces is out of this world. Cinnamon brings a natural spice to help balance out sweeter teas and cuts off the bitter edge of many blends.
Ginger
Probably the most well-known tea additive, ginger can be paired with virtually any tea to give it a slightly spicy kick. It can help soothe your stomach, clear your sinuses, and can aid in digestion. Brew your tea with a few slices of fresh ginger and remove it when you remove the leaves or teabag. If you leave it in, you will have a more potent ginger taste.
Try this warming tea when you’re fighting off cold symptoms.
Honey Lemon Ginger Trifecta
Ingredients:
- 1-inch fresh ginger root, grated
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp raw honey
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients except honey and let steep for 7 minutes.
- Strain and stir in honey.
- Sip and feel better!
Honey
Honey is a wonderful sweetener for tea because of the thick texture that dissolves quickly in the hot water. Any tea can be improved with a bit of honey to taste but it is particularly enjoyable in a mug of chamomile before bed. It is another great addition to keep around if you are plagued with a cold, as it works quickly to help soothe the throat and ease coughing.
Citrus
It is incredibly common to enjoy tea with lemon, but other citrus fruit such as grapefruit and oranges can seriously amp up the flavor as well. Squeeze fresh citrus juice into your mug or brew your tea with fruit slices. Herbal teas taste best when combined with these yummy fruits, particularly anything with a citrus, ginger, or lavender base.
Mint
Fresh mint leaves straight from your garden or indoor mint plant can be washed and added directly to a cup of tea. Crush them slightly with the edge of a knife to help release the flavors. Mint is an excellent way to settle your stomach and help relieve cramps.
Try this recipe to incorporate mint sprigs into your next batch of iced tea.
Mint Iced tea
This tea will wow guests at your next summer get together. It is totally refreshing and will help cool you off during those warm June afternoons.
Ingredients:
- 5 green tea bags
- 8 cups boiling water
- 1½ cups loosely packed fresh mint leaves
- Honey or stevia to taste
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Steep tea bags and mint leaves in boiling water for 4 minutes.
- Remove tea and add honey or stevia to taste, if desired.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and serve overnight.
Almond or coconut milk
If you’ve never added milk to your black tea, you have not truly experienced the ultimate flavor that it is capable of. This method of drinking caffeinated tea can dramatically alter the taste, acidity, and your enjoyment of teas such as english breakfast, chai, and rooibos. Add a splash of the milk of your choice and a sweetener and you will soon be craving tea instead of coffee to help wake you up in the morning.
Stevia
Stevia is another alternative to sugar that is just as sweet but not nearly as detrimental to your body. Stir it into your tea for a unique healthy sweetener option.
Berries
Though it might seem strange to add fruit such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries to a cup of hot tea, the combination is delicious. Berries bring natural sweetness and can make your tea more refreshing when you drink it through the warm summer months.
What else do you like to add to your tea to enhance the flavor? Let us know in the comments below!
-Susan Patterson