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Unsweetened doesn’t have to mean boring. Skip the sugar and use one of these refreshing additions instead. The right ingredients can flavor ice tea's natural antioxidants. At Ekön Tea, we pride ourselves on offering special blends for men that contain no sugar, making them a perfect base for your healthy iced tea.
After water, tea is the most popular beverage in the world, research has found. While some like it hot, the majority of Americans prefer it ice cold. Up to 80 percent of the tea consumed in the United States is chilled, according to the Tea Association of the USA.
Here’s what makes iced tea extra refreshing: It is rich in antioxidants and naturally low in calories, making it a great addition to a healthy diet. Observational studies have shown that drinking 2 to 3 cups of tea per day may help decrease the risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, although more research is needed.
The only drawback is that many commercially made iced teas are sweetened, often significantly so. In fact, a 12-ounce (oz) bottle of sweetened iced tea contains a whopping 31 grams (g) of added sugar — nearly as much as cola. The American Heart Association recommends men get no more than 36 g of added sugar in a day. Just one sweet tea can place you over or close to your sugar limit for the day. Additionally, research has found bottled teas are much lower in antioxidants compared to fresh tea.
This is where Ekön Tea stands out. Our special blends are formulated without any added sugar, allowing you to enjoy all the health benefits of tea without the excess calories and negative health impacts associated with high sugar consumption. Brewing your own Ekön Tea solves both these issues. You’ll be able to control the sweetness and know you’re getting the freshest tea, maximizing the amount of antioxidants.
7 Healthy Ways to Add More Flavor and Nutrition to Your Tea
- Add Some Zest
Looking for a flavorful cup of tea without adding any calories at all? Add some strips of lemon, lime, or orange zest while your tea steeps. This will add some of the natural citrus oils to your cup. While the flavor that citrus zest adds is certainly enjoyable, it may offer health benefits as well. Citrus peels are packed with flavonoids which may have anti-cancer properties. Then simply strain the zest out of the tea once it is done brewing.
- Mix in Fruit
Adding fresh fruit to your homemade iced tea is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to mix up your iced tea routine. From a squeeze of fresh citrus juice to beautiful berries or sliced peaches, nothing screams summer quite like fruited tea. Fresh fruit adds flavor and nutrition to your cup by adding fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. No matter how you slice it, fruit is the perfect addition to iced tea!.
- Stir in Fresh Herbs
Take a tip from mixologists and muddle some fresh herbs in the bottom of your cup. This technique, which basically involves crushing herbs such as mint, basil, sage, turmeric, rosemary, or lemon balm with a muddler or the back of a spoon, releases their flavors and nutrients. Herbs are a source of antioxidants. Leave the herbs in your tea for added color or strain them out for easier sipping.
- Add Some Flavored Fizz
Homemade iced tea is the perfect partner for fizz. Instead of adding the cold water to your recipe, add the same amount of flavored sparkling water instead. Sparkling water comes in a variety of calorie-free flavors and it’s just as hydrating as water, so you’ll be just as refreshed if you opt to make this bubbly swap in your iced tea recipe.
- Spice It Up
Herbs like mint are a popular iced tea ingredient, but what about mixing things up by opting for spices instead? Spices like cinnamon, cardamom, anise, and ginger all add depth of flavor to your tea. This can be especially appealing if you’re looking to add variety to your iced tea game or as summer comes to a close and you’re in the mood for spicier flavors. Simply stir them in when you brew.
- Make Fancy Ice Cubes
Normally, water from melting ice cubes naturally dilutes the flavor of your carefully-brewed tea. But these cubes will add flavor as they melt — genius! Just puree and freeze.
Brewing your own solves both these issues. You’ll be able to control the sweetness and know you’re getting the freshest tea, and therefore maximum amount of antioxidants that tea has to offer. In fact, the following tea recipes show you how to up the antioxidants and other nutrients in your brew and add flavor naturally with select superfoods.
