Tea Additives
Picture this: You’re sipping tea, minding your own business, when suddenly, you think, “I wonder what would happen if I added something a little different to this tea?” Fear not, fellow Jolly Tea Drinkers, because we’re about to take a look at some of the tea additives that can take your tea to the next level of fun and deliciousness!
Sugar Rush Shenanigans
Who doesn’t like a touch of sweetness added to their tea from time to time?
Let’s start with a classic: Sugar cubes! These small blocks of compressed, granulated sugar are a visual staple, when I think of a traditional tea setup. Additionally, they dissolve fast in hot liquids. Some people prefer to simply scoop plain cane or brown sugar into their tea, but it can take a while for the granules to dissolve in the liquid.
Honey sticks: Raw honey is a natural sweetener that contains healthy nutrients. (Be careful not to add it to tea that is too hot, because that can kill the natural enzymes in the honey.) Small plastic straws house the honey, until you are ready to use it – simply cut the top and place it in your tea. Honey sticks are great, because they can also double as fun tea stirrers!
Maple syrup: Also a natural sweetener, it adds a yummy syrupy kick to your tea! Maple syrup is very sweet, so you don’t need to add a whole lot, in order to make an impact on your tea. I like adding maple syrup to teas that already have a maple flavor. (See my post about one of my favorite maple flavored teas.)
Simple syrup: This is basically created when you boil cane sugar in water. It creates a liquid sweetener, which is great for cold brew teas, because it blends easier than granulated cane sugar.
Agave: This sweetener is derived from the agave plant and has a lower glycemic index, perhaps making it better for those who need to be careful about their blood sugar levels. Not to mention, it is actually sweeter than regular sugar, so you can use less of it in your tea.
Moo-ve Over, Milk!
With its natural sugars, milk can bring a creamy sweetness to your tea. Milk can also help to cut away bitterness, and really smooth out the taste of your beverage. Moreover, the addition of milk to your tea, may allow you to feel like you are having a fancier and more luxurious indulgence during your daily tea break!
Alternative Milk Options: Almond, coconut, soy and oat milks can help to provide the same sweetness, without the dairy complications. Regardless of your dietary preferences, you can probably still add a creamy touch to your tea, without worrying about the challenges of dairy.
Zest Up Your Life with Citrus
Feel like getting zesty? Though citrus fruits are beautiful garnishes, they can also be great flavorful additions to your tea. Adding lemon or orange also has the added benefits of Vitamin C, which elevates your tea to an immune system booster! These citrus fruits also provide much needed fiber, aid with digestion and are great detoxifiers for your body.
Herbs & Spice Up Your Tea Life
Adding herbs and spices to your tea, not only brings unique flavor combinations, but they also have added health benefits! From helping the immune system, to hindering gas and bloating, or promoting relaxation, these are jolly jewels that you may want to try in your tea!
Cinnamon: Just a pinch of this spice can bring a warm and very enjoyable savoriness to your tea. This is also a clever way to add some sweetness to your drink, without using sugar.
Nutmeg adds a deliciously distinctive, subtle, spicy and nutty flavor, with just a hint of sweetness.
Ginger is a clever spice – it brings a spicy kick, yet is also very helpful with calming an upset stomach.
Turmeric has a somewhat bitter yet peppery flavor, but when it’s combined with other spices in a tea, it strikes a perfect chord!
Peppermint can add a refreshment like none other to your tea! It produces an invigorating effect on your beverage, which is pleasant during any season of the year.
Honorable Mention:
Vanilla: Though it’s not technically an herb or a spice, vanilla adds a sweet marshmallow type of aroma and flavor to your tea, which is so wonderful!
Go Forth And Sip Jolly Tea Drinkers!
Tea additives are quite numerous, and we only talked about a handful in this post. There are many more items out there to try. If you are feeling adventurous, I encourage you to experiment and add something new to your tea today!
What are your favorite tea additives? Tell us in the comments below!
