I found this Better Homes and Gardens’ “Refresher Course” on tea interesting:
Nothing cools you down quite like iced tea. And it gets better: Thanks to its rich stores of polyphenols, even the humble black variety is associated with reduced rates of heart attack and ovarian cancer. Get the most from your glass with these tips from University of Arizona tea researcher Iman Hakim:
Start with hot water. Brewing with boiling H20 releases far more polyphenols from tea leaves than cold brewing or sun brewing. Steep for three minutes for maximum potency.
Hold off on the ice. Pouring hot tea over freezing cubes makes polyphenols tougher for the body to absorb. Instead, chill tea in the fridge and add ice just before drinking.
Finish with a twist. On the downside black tea contains plant chemicals called tannins that can thwart the body’s absorption of iron. The fix: Squeeze in some lemon juice. Its vitamin C counteracts tannins.
Tea is a staple in our household. My husband enjoys southern sweet iced tea almost any time of the day. He’s known to drink a gallon in just two days! Luckily, his 28 inch waist doesn’t protest. I, too, love tea in many different varieties but have to limit my intake of sweet tea. I enjoy my husband’s sweet tea with half a glass of chilled water and/or orange juice. Additionally, I enjoy iced mint tea, tea with lemon wedges, almond tea, and/or fruit tea during the summer months.
Do you have a favorite iced tea that you enjoy during the summer? You might want to try this Blackberry Sweet Tea recipe!
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sun tea is no longer considered safe by the FDA because of the risk of food-born illness
Hi Denise,
Thanks for the info on sun tea! The article did state that it is better to boil water to make “iced” tea. Have a good night!
I did read that. :) I drink a gallon of iced tea every two days, too! Plus hot tea.