Tea is always a welcome for its refreshing and beneficial served either, iced or hot. This time its blueberry tea.
Herbal tea with blueberry leaves is an awesome way to help keep your body healthy. Freeze-dried berries used in the tea contain vitamin C that boosts your immune system by stimulating the growth of white blood cells. These special cells are your body’s first defense against harmful viruses
, bacteria, and infection.
Another reason to drink blueberry tea include its anti-cancer properties. Rhis tea helps with vision, bone density, kidney health, digestion, cognition, as well as heart health. Blueberries contain the natural vitamins A, C, B, and K, plus the minerals potassium, manganese, zinc, and iron. When prepared properly, you can enjoy nature’s way of ensuring you stay happy and healthy while taking a little time for yourself. Why not plant a bush outside your window.
How to Make Blueberry Tea
Blueberry tea can be made from the leaves or berries
, including a combination of both. They can be fresh, frozen, or dried. The most important thing to remember avoid putting them in boiling water.
Bring the water to a boil
, and let it cool slightly before adding the fruit and/or leaves. This ensures that the vitamin C and other properties are not damaged. Crush the berries to get the full benefit. Allow the mixture to steep for 10-15 minutes before drinking.
Drink it Your Style
Hot Blueberry Tea
Directions
- Rinse berries under running water. Remove any discolored or withered berries.
- Boil water in kettle or pan. (You may add a green or black teabag to the water, if desired.)
- Add berries to hot water. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Pour infusion through a strainer, mashing berries to yield maximum juice.
- Add sugar, honey, or cream as desired. Tea may be served hot or iced.
Tip
• Berries may be juiced before adding to hot water. • Blueberry fruit and leaves may be steeped together for increased antioxidant benefit.
Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 1 (16-oz.) package frozen blueberries
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 4 cups water
- 3 family-size tea bags
- 3/4 cup sugar
Direction
- Bring 1 (16-oz.) package frozen blueberries and 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and pour through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl, using back of a spoon to squeeze out juice. Discard solids. Wipe saucepan clean.
- Bring 4 cups water to a boil in same saucepan; add 3 family-size tea bags, and let stand 5 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags. Stir in 3/4 cup sugar and blueberry juice mixture. Pour into a pitcher; cover and chill 1 hour. Serve over ice.
Give your immune system the support it needs to help fight disease by drinking blueberry tea regularly.