Green tea is known for being one of the healthiest beverages that is easily accessible to many people. Despite its fame, drinking a cup of green tea can be difficult because of its natural bitter taste. There are ways to make green team more enjoyable.
However, it is not just about enjoying tea. It has health benefits too.
DH lists some of the health benefits of green tea:
The antioxidants in green tea can reduce the risk of some types of cancer.
Green tea has been shown to lower blood sugar levels.
Consumption of green tea has been linked to reductions in cholesterol.
Green tea may also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Drinking green tea can improve brain function and it also lowers the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
Green tea can boost your metabolic rate, helping in weight loss
How to sweeten your tea:
Water temperature
Water that is too hot can turn the tea bitter almost immediately. Green tea brews best when the temperature of the water it is steeped in is between 70°C and 80°C. To do this, let the boiling hot water sit and cool for 5 to 7 minutes before pouring it over your tea bag.
Use a sweetener
Sugar can help improve the taste of green tea, but it may lower the antioxidant content of the tea which makes it less effective for weight loss. Similarly, milk cannot be used for the same reason. Honey and stevia leaves are a more natural choice that can add a bit of sweetness to your tea.
Add fruit and Mint
Adding other flavours can also help make the tea better suit your taste. Brewing green tea with mint can help soften the bitter undertones of tea. A squeeze of lime juice can also add some sweetness to your tea. Some other citrus fruits of your choosing can be muddled and blended with the tea.
Make flavoured tea
The benefits of green tea can still be enjoyed when blended with herbal teas. Such blends are available in a number of retail stores but they can also be made at home by infusing your green tea with rose petals or dried lavender.
Spices
These can be used to soften the harsh, bitter taste of green tea. The most common spices that are added to green tea are ginger, which comes with its own digestive benefits, cinnamon, a stick of which can give a cup of tea a sweet and spicy twist, and cardamom, which adds a citrus flavour.
Chill the tea
Iced green tea is more watered down, so the bitter kick of the leaves is reduced. Brew green tea like you normally would, let it cool to room temperature and then allow it to chill in the fridge. Some mint leaves and lemon slices can be added for a more flavourful tea. This iced tea can also be used as a base for infused detox waters or healthy smoothies.
