Staying Cool and Hydrated with a Glass of Tea

Iced tea became extremely popular just over 100 years ago. A tea merchant at the St. Louis 1904 World Fair was selling cups of tea, at least trying to. They were hot cups of tea, and nobody wanted to partake. So the merchant threw ice into the hot cups, and it became an instant refreshing hit for fair goers. Today, nearly 85% of all tea consumed in the United States is iced, and furthermore, it’s the only country to drink the majority of tea this way. Here are some great ways to enjoy your tea iced on a hot summer day.

White tea is the best option when it comes to drinking tea outdoors in the heat. It is full of antioxidants and extremely hydrating because it is the least processed of all the tea leaves.

When White tea is processed, they simply pick, steam, and dry the leaves. No withering or fermenting is taking place which keeps the full leaf intact and amplifies the benefits. It is also very low in caffeine, which helps keep the body from using unneeded energy.

Another great way to keep cool is by adding mint to your tea brews. Mint has a cooling effect and is also naturally caffeine free. Mint comes in many different flavors, so the fun part is picking one out that appeals to you. Spearmint and Peppermint are classics, but there is also Chocolate mint, Apple mint, Lemon mint, and so on. Not only does mint cool you, but it is also stimulating and invigorates the senses. That is why eating a peppermint candy is sometimes recommended during test taking or while driving for long periods at a time.

A few other great additions to your iced summer brews would be any type of berry (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries) or melon pieces, such as watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew, and of course tropical fruits like mangoes and pineapples.

For Memorial Day, I made a pitcher of Do You Tea’s Spicy Shore and not only did everyone love it, but it also kept everyone hydrated, even the pregnant mommies! Don’t forget to read the previous article on a few easy ways to make iced tea. There is not a better time for it!

Source: The Tea Companion: A Connoisseur’s Guide. Jane Pettigrew. Quintet Publishing Limited, Running Press Book Publishers, 2004.

Kelley Scruby is the owner of Do You Tea? in Hoboken, New Jersey. As the owner of a small, loose leaf tea business, Kelley is passionate about educating her customers on the benefits that come from drinking loose leaf tea. With a background at a major tea company, she was able to become an expert on the versatility of the beverage and is inspired in her own creations by the changing of the seasons and also desserts. Kelley created Do You Tea? with the confidence that she can help find a tea blend that works for any of her customers’ lifestyle and palate. As Do You Tea? continues to grow, Kelley hosts events and tastings that add a more interactive approach to the expansive world of loose leaf teas. Do You Tea? hopes to have a truck out on the streets of the NYC metro area soon! You are able to purchase her seasonal blends and gift sets online at www.doyoutea.com and follow her on instagram and twitter @doyoutea for updates on tastings and new blends. Please email requests and questions to doyoutea@gmail.com.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.