Summer Teas

Sunny summer days in Florida mean two things — swimming and iced tea.

No matter the blend, the refreshing beverage proves healthy, too. Green, black, white and oolong teas contain antioxidants such as catechins that prevent cell damage and contribute to heart health. Herbal teas such as chamomile aid in sleep thanks to the flavonoid apigenin, which acts as a mild sedation and anti-inflammatory.

“All teas are healthy,” said Jen Hanna, franchise owner and operator of Destin’s Spice & Tea Exchange. “There are so many health benefits when it comes to teas.”

Black teas are typically the most popular and have the highest caffeine content — equivalent to about half that of coffee. In the summer, black tea is ideal for classic sweet or unsweet tea. It also pairs well with fruits like fresh lemon and raspberry.

Green tea’s caffeine content falls just under that of black tea, making it a perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Its subtle flavor pairs well with fruity ingredients like fresh mango, strawberry or blackberry.

“We sell more green tea in the summertime,” said Hanna. “There’s more fruity in it, it’s lighter, it can ice better.”

Her shop specializes in loose-leaf teas, spices, salts, and kitchen and tea accessories. In the summer season, the Strawberry Meadows green tea and Strawberry Clouds white tea fly off the shelf. The herbal Mango Tango and Blue Raspberry Crush teas are popular, too.

If you plan to serve your tea cold, steep it with half the amount of water to create a concentrate, then pour over your ice once brewed. You can also cold brew tea for increased nutrients and flavor infusion. Simply steep it in the refrigerator for anywhere between an hour to overnight.

Hanna suggests that regular tea drinkers invest in infusers and loose-leaf teas versus the traditional bagged teas from big box stores.

For easy cleanup, loose leaf tea can be placed into paper filters that hang over the edge of the brewing container or placed directly into the water and poured through a fine mesh sieve. Photo by Saige Roberts

“I’m reading a lot of bad things about tea bags — bleach in the bags, which has been happening for years, they’re finding microplastics,” Hanna said. “The quality of the tea is also low.”

Finely ground leaves tucked into mesh bags make poor ingredients impossible to identify, and stems often end up in the mix.

“My best suggestion is to get the right infuser,” said Hanna. “The infuser does matter.”

While tea balls are popular for their single-serve convenience, they often produce a leafy result. The mesh unit also proves too small for larger-leaf teas, florals and fruit pieces, which need to unfurl and expand in the water for optimal steeping.

Hanna suggests opting for a finer-mesh infuser that suits your needs. For single use, pour-over steepers work well. Her top pick is a large or small glass pitcher with a mesh filter separation. It’s similar to a French press, but rather than pressing a separator, you simply pour your tea through once brewed. 

No matter the method, whether it’s Southern sweet, green or an herbal brew, there’s nothing like a cold glass of tea in the summertime.

Fruity and Floral

Lemon and blueberries add flavor, and  butterfly pea flowers add color to iced tea blends. Photo by Saige Roberts

You can add dried florals to your loose-leaf blend before brewing.

Hibiscus and butterfly pea flowers add colorful and flavorful infusions to green, white and herbal teas.

When using fresh fruits or roots like ginger, slicing, dicing and muddling can enhance flavor results. You can also add citrus to the infuser filter during brewing. Berries and other fruits can be muddled and strained prior, creating a fruity syrup to add to your tea once brewed.

Tea Tips

» Always separate your filter basket, or pour all your tea from the infusing pitcher after brewing. Otherwise, you’ll end up with soggy leaves and bitter, over-steeped tea.

» Be sure to follow the instructions on measurement, water temperature and steep times, which differ among blends. Most loose-leaf teas will provide specific instructions on the package.

» Create your own tea bags by placing a coffee filter directly over your mug or enclosing a cheesecloth with a rubber band.

Sunny Hibiscus Honey Green Tea

For most Southerners, sun tea elicits nostalgic memories of backyard summer days. For a twist your taste buds won’t regret, swap traditional black tea for green tea and add some flavor. Now, you’ve got the perfect energizing summer refresher for any sunny day.

Ingredients

»3 tablespoons looseleaf green tea (or 3 family-size bags)

»3 teaspoons dried hibiscus

»4 tablespoons honey (or to taste)

Directions

Fill a 2-quart glass pitcher or container with water about 1 to 2 inches from the top.

In an infuser drum, add your loose-leaf green tea and/or dried hibiscus. I

f you don’t have an infuser, simply add your leaves loose in the pitcher and strain them after brewing using a fine mesh sieve.

Alternatively, green tea bags make for less fuss, and the hibiscus can fit in a single-use infuser ball.

Add your infuser or bags to your container and fill the remaining way with water. Close tightly with a lid or seal with cling wrap. Set your pitcher in the sun for three to six hours, depending on cloud coverage and temperature.

Once brewed, add in your sweetener. Honey incorporates well at warm to room temp and best complements the hibiscus and green tea.