Rae Udy

RECIPES: Tropical Tea, Texas Sun Tea, Iced Tea

By Rae Udy

There are still many questions health researchers are considering about tea. Is green tea better for you than black? Is hot tea better to drink than iced tea? Is tea good for you?
Research at Kings College London, by public health nutritionist Dr. Carrie Ruxton and associates, found clear evidence that drinking three to four cups of green or black tea each day can reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke and some cancers.
Esophageal, prostrate, colon, skin and stomach cancers all responded to teas health-giving properties. Green and oolong teas may help reduce blood pressure problems.
Tea contains fluoride which has bacteria killing properties to help control bad breath. Other health benefits include protection against tooth decay and prevention of plaque build up on teeth.
Green, black and oolong teas contain antioxidants called polyphenols, flavonoids and catechins. These battle free radicals in the body and prevent them from harming healthy cells.
Although green tea has been getting the most publicity, studies report both green and black tea provide equal benefits. Freshly brewed black or green teas have more antioxidants than instant or bottled varieties. Most researchers agree there is no difference between drinking hot or iced tea.
With all the good news about tea there is some bad too. Tea partially reduces the absorption of iron from food. For this reason, avoid drinking tea at mealtime if you are prone to anemia. Adding vitamin C can counteract this negative effect, so be sure to squeeze that lemon slice into your iced tea.
Tropical Tea has something for everybody. Cranberry, pineapple and white grape juice combine with nutritious tea to quench your thirst and provide vitamin C, iron and calcium. This colorful punch in great to serve at picnics and barbecues and floating fresh fruit adds to the fun.
Texas Sun Tea and Iced Tea are refreshing any day of the year but in summer they really hit the spot. Easy to make and costing just pennies, ice tea is always a beverage favorite.
Sources:
www.2basnob.com/health-benefits-of-tea.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5281046.stm

TROPICAL TEA
1 quart boiling water
4 family-size black tea bags ( my favorite is Luzianne )
2 cups cranberry juice
2 cups white grape juice
2 cups pineapple juice
1 orange
1 lemon
Steep tea bags in water for fifteen minutes. Remove tea bags. Pour warm tea into large punch bowl. Add juices and stir to blend. Fill punch bowl with ice cubes. Slice orange and lemon into small slices or wedges and float on top of punch. Serves twelve.

TEXAS SUN TEA
1 gallon cold water
12 small black tea bags or 4 family size tea bags
6 Tablespoons honey or sugar
Fill gallon jar with cold water. Unwrap tea bags and hold strings. Dip tea bags into jar until under water. Hang strings over edge and secure jar lid. Set in direct sun for one hour. Remove tea bags and add honey. Stir well. Keep chilled. Serve over crushed ice with lemon wedges. Serves 12.

ICED TEA
1 pint cold water
3 family-size black or orange pekoe tea bags
6 Tablespoons brown sugar
Place water in a quart jar and place in microwave. Bring to boil, about two minutes. Carefully add unwrapped tea bags and set aside to brew for five minutes. Pour sugar into a half gallon pitcher and fill three-quarters full with cold water. When tea is brewed, remove bags and pour into pitcher. Stir well. Fill tall glasses with ice cubes and squeeze a lemon wedge over top. Pour tea in glasses and serve. Yields one-half gallon to serve eight.