Escape the heat with a delightful twist on a classic beverage! Chinese Medicine Podcast's host, Marie Hopkinson, invites you to indulge in a cup of aromatic herbal iced tea. This refreshing recipe brings together the full-bodied flavors of your favorite tea with a tinge of sweetness, courtesy of nature's bounty. Perfect for cooling down on a warm day or savoring a tranquil moment, this herbal iced tea is both simple to make and delightfully satisfying.
Ingredients:
- Your choice of herbal tea leaves (e.g., spring tea, summer tea, ginseng, aasia)
- Water
- Ice cubes (preferably made from the same herbal tea for enhanced flavor)
- Fresh fruit for sweetness (optional), such as:
- Frozen cranberries
- Fresh blueberries
- Sweetener of choice (optional), like Stevia leaf
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional), such as:
- Mint leaves
- Lemon balm
Equipment:
- Tea strainer or tea bowl
- Teapot or heatproof brewing container
- Refrigerator-friendly jug or container
- Ice tray (if making herbal tea ice cubes)
- Glasses for serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: Varies depending on tea brewing time
Total Time: Varies depending on cooling time
Servings: Varies based on the amount of tea brewed
Instructions:
1. Begin by brewing your herbal tea. Depending on your preference, you can use a tea strainer or a tea bowl. Aim to brew a stronger concentration of tea than usual to compensate for dilution when served chilled – use two to three scoops more tea than you would normally use for a small pot.
2. Once brewed, remove the tea from the heat source and allow it to cool to room temperature. You can expedite this process by pouring the brewed tea into a jug and placing it in the refrigerator.
3. If you're planning ahead, pour the tea into an ice tray and freeze it to create herbal tea ice cubes. These will help maintain the robust flavor of your tea as they melt.
4. When ready to serve, place the herbal tea ice cubes in a glass and pour the cold tea over them. If you're in a hurry and don't have tea ice cubes, simply pour the hot brew over regular ice cubes, keeping in mind that this may dilute your tea more quickly.
5. If desired, enhance the sweetness by adding fresh fruits like frozen cranberries or blueberries, or by stirring in a natural sweetener such as Stevia leaf.
6. For an aromatic touch, add a sprig of fresh mint or lemon balm to the glass, giving it a gentle stir to release the herbs' flavors.
7. Let the mix sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Afterwards, enjoy the rich, full flavors of your homemade herbal iced tea.
Recipe attributed to Marie Hopkinson from the Chinese Medicine Podcast. For more about their herbal teas, visit www.metrohealth.com.au
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