When we hear the word tea, the first thing we Chinoys think of is the complimentary tea in Chinese restaurants. They are usually a hit or miss because they could either be delicious or could taste bitter and watered down. Perhaps this is why more people prefer coffee over tea. However, it should be noted that there are a lot more types of tea that exist beyond restaurants, and like coffee, they can also be served in various ways. Of course, we’re all familiar with milk tea at this point, but that’s not all there is. Here are 6 refreshing ways you can enjoy tea.
Note: this article discusses the potential benefits of different teas, but it’s not intended to be medical advice.
Green Iced Tea
Green tea is probably the most common type of tea that can be found in restaurants and supermarket aisles. It’s known to stimulate brain function, increase fat burning, and lower the risk of certain cancers, which is why it’s hailed as the healthiest drink in the world. Despite its health benefits, there might be people who are averse to it because of its bitter aftertaste. If you’re not a big fan of green tea, then maybe this simple recipe will change your mind.
Recipe from Twinings
Photo from Flickr
You will need:
- 1 green tea bag
- 1 tbsp. Honey
- 1 wedge of lemon
Procedure:
- Steep the tea bag in hot water for 4 minutes
- Remove the teabag and allow the tea to cool in the refrigerator
- Add honey and lemon juice after the tea has cooled and mix well
- Serve with ice and the lemon peel
Raspberry Iced Tea
This recipe calls for black tea, which is made with the same leaves as green tea, except it’s fully oxidized, giving it a black color. Some of the benefits include increased focus, improved metabolism, lower blood sugar levels, and reduced blood pressure. Black tea is also higher in caffeine and has a stronger flavor compared to other other teas, which might leave a more nutty aftertaste. If that doesn’t sound appealing to you, try this recipe.
Recipe from You Suck at Cooking
Photo from mom foodie
You will need:
- 1 black tea bag
- Raspberries
- 1 wedge of lemon
- Sugar, to taste
Procedure:
- Steep the tea bag in hot water for 4 minutes
- Remove the tea bag and add the raspberries into the hot tea
- Crush the raspberries with a fork, and then add the lemon juice and sugar to taste
- Place the tea in the refrigerator to cool
- Once it’s cool, pour the tea through a strainer to remove the raspberry pulp
- Serve with ice and extra raspberries on top
Matcha Latte
Recipe from Tasty
Photo from Japan Centre
Matcha is also a type of green tea made with young tea leaves that are ground into a powder. Some of its benefits include weight loss, cancer-fighting properties, and decreased chances of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Matcha has definitely become a popular dessert flavor, but in its purest form, it has a slightly bitter and grassy aftertaste. Matcha is commonly enjoyed in Latte form, but you don’t have to go to coffee shops to get it because you can easily make it at home.
You will need:
- 1 and ½ tsp. Matcha powder
- 1 tbsp. Agave syrup or honey (optional)
- 1 cup frothed milk
Procedure:
- Add matcha powder to a cup
- Add 1 tbsp. Hot water (note: it shouldn’t be boiling because it would ruin the taste of matcha)
- Add agave syrup or honey (optional)
- Whisk together until homogenous
- Add one cup of frothed milk (note: you don’t need an electric milk frother for this because you can achieve the same effect with a french coffee press)
- Serve and top with extra matcha powder and ice (optional)
Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen)
Thai tea is a type of black tea that originated from China and was brought to Thailand by immigrants. It’s now widely used in Thailand to make a popular tea drink called Cha Yen, also known as Thai Iced Tea or Thai Milk Tea. Despite being a type of black tea, thai tea actually has a distinctive orange color. Some of its health benefits include reduced risk of stroke, lower cholesterol levels, and provides relief for inflammation. Cha Yen is the most popular way to serve it, and here’s how you can make it at home.
Recipe from Eating Thai Food
Photo from Delish
You will need:
- 1 tbsp. Thai black tea (preferably the Cha Dra Muer brand, which can easily be found on Shopee at an affordable price)
- 2 tsp. Sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tsp. Evaporated milk
- 2 tsp. Brown sugar
Procedure:
- In a pot, bring 1 cup of water to a boil and add Thai tea leaves along with brown sugar
- Once the tea turns dark brown, remove from the heat and pour through a strainer to remove the tea leaves
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk and stir until combined
- Place the tea in the refrigerator until it cools down
- Serve with ice and top with additional evaporated milk (optional)
Oolong Peach Tea
Oolong tea is considered to be a mix of black tea and green tea, although unlike other types of tea, it is usually made with branches, leaves, and buds. Oolong tea is known to protect the brain from neurodegenerative diseases, improve bone mineral density, and help in de-stressing. It usually has a subtle fruity taste, which can be further elevated using this recipe.
Recipe from Sipsby
Photo from plant based jess
You will need:
- 1 Oolong tea bag
- 1 tsp. Honey
- 1 cup frozen peach chunks
- ¼ cup orange chunks, peeled
- ¼ cup tapioca pearls (optional)
Procedure
- Steep the tea bag in hot water for 5 minutes
- In a blender, blend the orange and peach chunks until it become smooth
- Pour the juice into a strainer to remove the pulp
- Pour the juice into the Oolong tea and mix until combined
- Place the tea in the refrigerator and allow it to cool
- Serve with ice and tapioca pearls (optional)
Chamomile Tea Latte
Unlike most of the teas mentioned above, Chamomile tea is made with dried flowers instead of leaves. It has a floral and earthy aftertaste, and it’s also caffeine-free so it’s perfect as a bedtime drink. Chamomile tea has long been used as a traditional cure for various illnesses, and some of its health benefits include relieving loose bowel movement, reducing menstrual pain, treating symptoms of cold, and helping induce sleep. If you don’t want to drink plain chamomile tea, then here’s a recipe for you to try out.
Recipe and photo from Oh, How Civilized
You will need:
- 1 cup milk (any milk of choice)
- 1 chamomile tea bag
- 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Cinnamon powder
Procedure:
- In a pot, heat up the milk (be sure to simmer on low heat and avoid bringing to a boil)
- Put the chamomile tea bag along with the cinnamon stick and let it steep for 5 minutes
- (Optional step) Let the mixture cool down before pouring it into a french press and frothing the milk.
- Serve the latte with the cinnamon stick and top with cinnamon powder
