Are you a purist who enjoys consuming tea in its original flavour? Or are you an adventurous drinker who loves to experiment with new flavours and ways of making tea? No matter what type of tea that you choose, there are several ways to enhance the flavour of your tea along with delivering health-promoting benefits. Add-ins, steeping time and water temperature are some of the most common ways to do so!
Feel free to experiment with the tips below to find the perfect sip at any time of day!
6 add-ins that can enhance the flavour of your tea
Acidity
This one is for those who are new to the world of tea and find most tea bitter. The acidity from most citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges can help minimize green tea’s natural bitterness and brighten up black tea’s warm notes. This is a simple yet effective way to enhance the flavour of tea without adding calories or sugar — a single lemon wedge contains just 1 calorie and 0.1 grams of sugar, according to USDA nutrition data.
Lemon juice is also a good source of Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps to protect cells from damage and fight off inflammation whenever you’re coming down with a cold.
Fruits
Adding fruits to your tea is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to amp up the flavour and the health benefits. Your fruity add-ins can come in various forms: fresh fruits, dried fruits, puree or fruit juice. The fruit you choose and how you add it depends on the tea base and the flavour you want to achieve.
The chilly weather puts you in a mood for a toasty cuppa? Try adding a few pieces of dried apples, as they make a great addition to most black teas. Craving a refreshing drink on a scorching summer day? Fresh seasonal raspberries or blueberries are great additions to iced green or white tea to create a cooling and hydrating drink. Juicy peaches are also an excellent natural sweetener and flavour enhancer for a variety of green and black tea!
If adding fruit still doesn’t give you the desired flavour, try mixing in a few tablespoons of fruit juice or puree. This will increase the sugar content and add more vitamins and minerals as well. However, avoid adding fruit extracts as this can alter the taste and impart an unpleasant artificial flavour.
Warming spices
Pumpkin spice season is near and if you’re looking for a tea equivalent, we’ve got you covered! Warming spices make great additions to herbal tea blends and pair well with black teas and Oolong tea.
Let's take a closer look at two of the most popular spices— ginger and cinnamon — which have also been studied for their health benefits.
According to a study called Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ginger in Health and Physical Activity, fresh ginger has been associated with reduced markers of inflammation, due to its antioxidant properties. Ginger tea is widely consumed after meals to help to calm the stomach and aid digestion. To alleviate symptoms of the common cold such as a sore throat, the combination of ginger, lemon and honey added to chamomile tea has long been a popular remedy.
Better yet, ginger works well with most tea varieties just as well as on its own. A simple way to infuse ginger is to steep about an inch of a freshly peeled ginger root along with your loose leaf tea or add grated ginger directly into your infuser.
Cinnamon also has similar antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. One of its most-researched benefits is its ability to help lower blood sugar over time by triggering the release of insulin. If you've got a cinnamon stick, adding one to your tea leaves is a simple way to inject a hint of spice and release more antioxidants into your infusion.
Herbs
Herbal blends were all the rage once, but did you know that adding fresh herbs to true tea infusions is another great way to amp up the flavour without adding sweetness?
For those who enjoy lighter tea such as white and green tea, herbs such as mint, peppermint, basil, lemon verbena, rosemary and sage work well with the infusion. Unlike hardier spices, herbs can either lose their flavour or develop an unpleasant aftertaste if overcooked, so it’s best to add herbs to your tea while the leaves are steeping, producing a more gentle infusion. If using fresh herbs, aim for about 1 teaspoon per cup of tea; use up to 3 teaspoons if using dried herbs.
If you're looking to create an enhanced flavour and aroma, gently crush or tear fresh herbs onto your tea may also help to release some of the aromatic oils.
Honey
As an alternative to refined sugar, honey brings more than just sweetness to the table. Often referred to as ‘“the drink of the gods”, it is naturally sweet and easy to consume. Honey is also a rich source of carbohydrates, amino acids and antioxidants. Despite being rich in carbohydrates, honey has a low glycemic index and therefore can also be consumed by those with diabetes. Honey is also endowed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, therapeutic, nutritional and antimicrobial qualities that can help boost your immune system.
However, not all types of honey trigger the same blood sugar response. Raw honey has a low glycemic index, meaning it does not cause blood sugar spikes. This may be due to its more complex chemical composition compared to refined, white sugar, and the presence of other plant compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids.
Most honey pairs well with black and green tea but may overpower the delicate taste of white tea. Try a few and we’re certain you’ll fall in love with this delicious and nutritious add-in!
Plant-based Milk
Kick-starting a morning with a cup of Earl Grey or Breakfast tea with a dash of milk has been a staple for many tea drinkers. The creaminess of the milk makes a pleasant complement to black tea’s caramelly, toasty flavour. However, according to this study done by the Havard’s School of Public Health, the fat in dairy milk can inhibit some of your tea’s antioxidant activity. Flavonoids in tea are known to “deactivate” when binding to milk proteins, so you won’t get the full benefits when using regular milk.
One way to get around this problem and enhance the flavour of your tea is by using plant-based milk instead. And luckily, there are a wide variety of plant-based milk alternatives out there. Soy milk shares a similar nutritional profile to dairy milk, while cashew milk, oat milk and coconut milk are also great options due to their creamier texture. Other options include almond, rice, hazelnut and macadamia milk.
Recommended steep times and water temperature for 6 different types of tea
When it comes to steeping up the well-balanced and tasty cuppa, steeping time and water temperature are among the most important factors. If you’re curious about the optimal steep times as well as the right water temperature for different types of tea, here are our recommendations! (per 1 teaspoon of tea)
Enhance The Flavour of Tea and Make The Most Exciting Sip with The Tea Haus!
While tea tastes great and delivers an array of health benefits on its own, adding a few ingredients, understanding the optimal water temperature and knowing the correct steep times can not only boost flavour, acidity, sweetness and creaminess but also deliver extra antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Experiment with the above options and find the combos that best fit your taste buds!
We stock over 200 different teas from black to green, matcha to rooibos and tisanes as well as a carefully curated teaware collection to help to steep a perfect cup. Drop in for a visit at The Tea Haus or order online today!
