Let’s Have a Summer Tea Party!

Ahh, there’s nothing as refreshing as a cool glass of iced tea on a hot summer day. With the start of summer upon us and this being National Iced Tea Month, we know that there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy this perfect summer beverage.

Tea is a great alternative to water that has been enjoyed for centuries throughout the world. There are many different varieties of tea from white to black to green… the list goes on and on. With so many different choices, you are bound to find one that you love. The problem with consuming iced tea is that many of the pre-made iced teas you buy at the supermarket are loaded with sugar and artificial sweeteners, which can be poor choices for your health.

Better Options?

Rather than purchase pre-made iced tea, try making your own!

Making iced tea could not be simpler. First, boil a pot of water on your stove or if you have an electric kettle, you could use that. Next, pick out 3-4 bags of your favorite tea (it is best to use the same bags and not mix different types together). After the water has come to a boil, remove the pot from the heat source, place the bags in the water, and allow to steep for about 10 minutes. Afterwards you can pour your tea into a pitcher and place in the fridge to chill for a couple of hours. Walla! You just made your own iced tea!

Add Some Flavor!

Not a fan of unsweetened iced tea? You’re not alone. Try sprucing up your tea with:

• Crushed mint leaves
• A dab of honey
• Squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice
• Fresh cut up peaches/strawberries/raspberries

Try mixing and matching your favorite add-ins from above with different varieties of tea such as green tea with honey or black tea with peach slices. You won’t even miss the sugar with so many fun ways to mix up your iced tea!

Why Tea?

You may ask yourself, “Why should I even bother drinking iced tea?” Well, tea is a natural source of many powerful antioxidants. Green and black teas in particular are loaded with these free-radical warriors! It has been estimated that these varieties may contain up to 10 times the amount of antioxidants as fruits and vegetables! Green, black, and oolong tea come from the plant species, Camellia sinensis, which is high in polyphenols- a powerful antioxidant. Polyphenols travel throughout the body searching for cell-damaging free radicals and neutralize them, preventing them from further damaging your cells. This has been shown to help reduce the risk of many types of cancer and cardiovascular disease caused by the damages of free radicals.

So go ahead, enjoy your glass of iced tea in honor of National Iced Tea Month and remember you’re doing your body a favor with every glass full of those powerful antioxidants!

Your turn to take action: Challenge yourself by creating your own iced tea by combining your favorite fruit, herb, or little bit of natural sweetener with an antioxidant powerhouse like green tea! Share your combo below!

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