Iced green tea offers many health benefits, is simple to make, and most of all, tastes pretty good! However, one must try to avoid drinking chilled green tea pre-brewed from bottles and instead make it themselves by using whole loose leaves. This way, one can achieve full true tea flavor and the most benefits!
Green tea that is iced, is perfect for folks just starting out with this great beverage! Natural flavors and sweeteners help mask the vegetal taste, and helps "break" the palate in. After a few iced cups of green, newcomers will be ready for plain hot green tea!
Some iced green tea recipes you can follow are these:
First, as mentioned above, start out with whole loose leaves of your favorite green tea. If you are new to loose leaf green tea, then I recommend you give these varieties (mentioned below) from adagio.com a try.
To get over the hump of the grassy taste (which may take a few cups to get used to), try flavored green tea such as "apricot green", "cocomint green", or "mandarin green". If you are accustomed to green tea taste already, try "green pekoe" or "white monkey" varieties, as they are a bit lighter and make a better iced tea.
Brewing iced green tea is almost the same as brewing it hot, only difference is you will double the amount in the beginning. Two teaspoons per cup instead of one.
Use natural spring water for best results, bring it to a boil, let it cool down for about 30 seconds, then steep for the indicated time (usually no more than 3 minutes).
Let the brew become room temperature, add more water to dilute the strong taste (around the same amount already used) and finally chill.
After that, you can add sugar or honey if desired, and enjoy your freshly brewed iced green tea!
Some health benefits of green tea are:
Helps fight and prevent certain cancers and tumors.
Helps protect your heart by lowering cholesterol.
May help prevent cavities
Is beneficial to women by lowering the risk of gallbladder cancer.
Good for your liver.
May help people who suffer from arthritis.
Has antibacterial agents that can help shield you during cold season.
