3 Easy Ways to Brew Iced Tea

Iced tea is the perfect refreshment for warm summer days. It cools you from the inside out and keeps you hydrated. And here’s a bonus: cold drinks have been shown to help overweight people reduce their body mass index through a process called “thermogenesis.”

Unsweetened iced tea is flavorful yet has no calories, so you can drink as much of it as you want. If you’re on Nutrisystem, it will count towards your daily water goal. Better yet, you can pump up the taste with ingredients that don’t load on the calories.

Iced tea is easy and fun to make. In fact, you can choose from a few different brewing methods depending on your time and tastes. Learn how to make iced tea with these three simple methods:

1. Fastest: Hot Tea + Ice

You can have glass of iced tea ready to drink in about 15 minutes by brewing a cup of hot tea, allowing it to cool, then adding ice. When making tea, avoid using water that’s been sitting in a kettle or that has been previously boiled. It may have picked up a metallic taste or other “off” flavors. Always start with fresh, cool water.

The ideal temperature for brewing most kinds of tea is below water’s boiling point of 212 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you should adjust the temperature depending on the specific tea you are using. An electric kettle will allow you to heat the water to a specific temperature. Taste of Home recommends 175 to 185°F for white tea, 180 to 185°F for green tea, 200­ to 205°F for black tea and 212°F for herbal tea.

Tea bags are the easiest to use when drinking tea, but many people prefer the fresher flavor of loose leaves. Sencha Tea Bar recommends using one tea bag or one teaspoon of tea for every 10 to 12 ounces of water. When the water is ready, pour it over the tea bag or leaves, then let it steep for about five to 10 minutes. Green tea shouldn’t be steeped for longer than five minutes.

Remove the tea bag or strain out the leaves, then let the tea cool to room temperature. You can then either add ice right away or place it in the fridge for a few hours too cool down even more. Pour it over ice when you’re ready to start sipping!

2. Simplest: Sun Tea

Sun iced tea could not be easier to lean how to make. No boiling water involved! Just let it sit in the sun while you go about your day.

To make sun tea, all you have to do is place your tea in a large jar or pitcher of cool water. Cover it with a tight-fitting lid and place the jar in a bright, sunny spot. The sunlight will warm the water as the tea steeps, slowly extracting the flavor. Leave the jar in the sun for about three to five hours, then remove the tea bags or strain out the leaves. Refrigerate, serve with ice and enjoy.

According to Taste of Home, “Sun tea has a nostalgic feel to it, but there is a small chance of bacterial growth by leaving tea out in these temperatures. You can minimize the risk by sterilizing the tea bags: Pour enough boiling water over the tea bags to get them fully wet.”

3. Tastiest: Cold Brew Tea

Hot water brings out compound called “tannins” in tea, which can give it a slightly bitter flavor. Cold brewing prevents the bitter tastes from developing, while still extracting the good flavors in tea. (Cold brew coffee, by the way, has become popular for the same reasons.)

Sencha Tea Bar recommends using loose leaf tea for this method because they offer more flavor. They explain, “Since we’re removing heat from the process, you’ll need all the flavor you can get for a tasty cup.”

Place your tea in a large jar or pitcher of glass water. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and put the jar in your refrigerator for six to 12 hours. Once you hit the six hour mark, Sencha Tea Bar suggests tasting the tea every hour until it reaches your desired strength. Take or strain out the tea and pour over ice.

More Helpful Tea Tips:

Tea Types

Black tea is the most familiar type of tea and it has the strongest tea flavor. It is the base of popular teas like Earl Gray and English Breakfast blends. The main difference with black teas is that the tea leaves are fully oxidized before being heat-processed and dried. The flavor profile can vary greatly, but it generally has a rich, bold taste that is more bitter than green tea.

Green tea leaves come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis) as black tea, but they are not treated the same way after harvesting. They are “minimally oxidized,” meaning they are quickly heated and dried after they are harvested. This changes the color and flavor of the tea, making it lighter all around. It typically has less caffeine than black tea and the flavor can be grassy, sweet or seaweed-like.

White tea also comes from the same plant as black and green tea. However, it’s minimally processed and harvested earlier than other varieties. They have a “delicate” taste that can have notes of floral, honey, grass, fruit and citrus. Most white tea is handpicked and it has a lower caffeine content than green or black tea.

Other tea varieties include oolong tea and herbal teas, such as mint or chamomile. These also taste delicious and refreshing over ice.

Flavor Boosters

You can take your tea’s taste to the next level without adding on calories. Fresh lemon and lime juice are Free foods for your Nutrisystem healthy eating plan, so you can use as much of them as you like. Want to sweeten your tea? Try stevia, a natural zero-calorie sugar substitute that dissolves in cold water.

Fruit can enhance the flavor of your tea, too. Adding frozen berries or peach slices keeps your tea cool and sweetens the taste. When making a whole pitcher of tea, add these flavorings with each glass so they don’t slowly break up in the pitcher before you have a chance to drink them.

The post 3 Easy Ways to Brew Iced Tea appeared first on The Leaf.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Some Effective Appetite Supressants?

Some of the most sought-after appetite suppressants include:

• Bitter Melon is a fruit that comes from India and China. It has been shown to promote healthy digestion and reduce appetite.
• Green Tea – One of the most popular beverages worldwide, green tea has been shown to improve metabolism and help control blood pressure.
• Ginseng is a herb found in Asia or Europe. It can be taken to increase mental clarity, support overall health, and help with general wellbeing.
• Ginkgo Biloba, a tree from Japan, has been shown to prevent memory loss and improve circulation.

You can also find many other appetite suppressants. Why not give one a try? You’ll be surprised at how quickly your weight loss begins!

Are there any natural alternatives to appetite suppressant prescription drugs like phentermine?

Green tea extract is the best alternative to prescription diet pills for those seeking weight loss. Green tea extract has caffeine that stimulates metabolism. Also, epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG) helps reduce fat by stimulating thermogenesis.

Green tea contains antioxidants, which fight free radicals and protect against damage due to stress and oxidation.

But, green tea does NOT cause weight loss. Instead, it simply makes your body more efficient at burning calories.

Although green tea may help with weight loss, you should still be careful about how much you eat.

L-Carnitine can also be supplemented. L-Carnitine is an amino acid that increases energy and promotes muscle growth. You will need to eat regular meals because this amino acid doesn’t curb appetite.

What happens if a green smoothie is consumed every day?

It’s not only for breakfast. Green Smoothies can be healthy and delicious beverages made from fresh fruit, vegetables, and a delicious, satisfying beverage. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, antioxidants as well as fiber and protein. They are also delicious!

Green Smoothies are also low calorie and high in nutrients. This fantastic drink may be helping you lose those extra pounds.

Green smoothies make it easy to prepare. You simply combine fresh fruits with some ice cubes. There are endless combinations, and we’ve listed our top ten here:

1. Banana + Blueberries Banana Berry Blast
2. Spinach + Pineapple Healthy Superfood
3. Strawberry + Yogurt Strawberry Delight
4. Apple + Orange FruityGreen Smoothie
5. Lemonade + Peach Melon Madness
6. Pear and Kale packed with Fiber
7. Grapefruit + Kiwi The Ultimate Detox
8. Mango + Avocado Tropical Paradise
9. Watermelon + Lime Delicious Hydration
10. Coconut and Cucumber Cooling Refresher

Statistics

• According to a 2014 review, even prescription weight loss pills don’t work as well as you might assume. (healthline.com)
• A 2003 meta-analysis of studies found that people taking orlistat for 12 months in combination with lifestyle changes saw a 2.9% greater weight reduction than the placebo group (26Trusted Source (healthline.com)
• On average, they may help you lose 3–9% of your body weight compared with a placebo (56Trusted Source (healthline.com)
• In a total of 54 randomized controlled trials in healthy adults with overweight or obesity, the authors found no difference in weight or body fat percentage between the Garcinia Cambogia group and the placebo group (3Trusted Source (healthline.com)
• Nature’s Health Goji Berry – Lycium Berries – Maintain Vision Health – Jam-Packed with Vitamins A & C – 580 mg per Serving – 60 Veggie Capsules – Non-GMO Emerald Labs Goji Berry – 40% Polysaccharides – 60 Vegetable Capsules (amazon.com)

External Links

webmd.com

• African Mango: What is Irvingia Gabonesis?
  
• Goji Berries: Side Effects and Health Benefits
  

cdc.gov

• Products – Data Briefs, Number 376 – September 2020
  
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  

fda.gov

• FDA
  
• Dietary Supplements
  

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• IGOB131, a novel seed extract of the West African plant Irvingia gabonensis, significantly reduces body weight and improves metabolic parameters in overweight humans in a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled investigation – PMC
  
• A case report of renal failure that was linked to African mango consumption.
  

How To

African Mango: Benefits and Nutrients

Mangoes can be described as exotic fruits that were grown in tropical regions. They can be found all over the world. Mangoes are nutritious fruits high in vitamin C and potassium. They also contain fiber, calcium, iron, and magnesium. They also contain antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and alpha-tocopherol.

Mango trees grow best between 15degC and 30degC (59degF). Mangoes will turn yellowish green when fully ripe. The mango’s flesh, while soft and juicy unripe, becomes firmer and dryer after ripening.

Mangoes make jams. Mango pulp is often added to Indian curries, rice dishes, and stir-fried veggies in Thailand. Mangoes come in many forms: fresh, dried, canned, frozen, canned, candied, frozen and canned.

Healthy Fruits and Vegetables

Mangoes have long been used as a treatment for diabetes. Mangoes are now grown throughout the globe. There are many varieties available, including Alphonso.

Mangoes are high in water and low in calories, which can help you lose weight. A medium-sized mango has approximately 100 calories and 3 grams of fat. This makes them one of the healthiest fruits around.

Mangoes also contain vitamins B1, B2, and B3, as well as vitamin K, magnesium, folate, potassium, manganese (folate), pantothenic acid. They also have thiamine, biotin, riboflavin, niacin and thiamine.

Mangoes are rich in phytochemicals. These plant compounds protect cells from damage due to free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause cell damage. Mangoes are especially good at protecting your heart, brain, and eyes.

Mangoes may be helpful for people who want to lose weight because they are high in water content. Water is important for keeping your body hydrated. It also helps to keep you fuller longer.