Tea without sugar is delicious, but sweetened tea is scrumptious. There are a plethora of sweeteners available, as well as a lot of different combinations ranging from natural to artificial and everything in between. Dairy and sweeteners are the most common coffee and tea additives. Most people simply add white sugar to their coffee or tea to make it sweeter, but there are various other ways to sweeten them, including honey, agave nectar, molasses, simple syrup, and artificial sweeteners. If you haven’t looked into these other possibilities yet, you most certainly should. When it comes to pouring a pitcher or a glass of delicious tea, every sweet tooth can be fulfilled with the variety of sweeteners available (both conventional and freshly invented). But which should you use, and how much should you use? If you have any of these questions, we have some answers for you. Here’s how to sweeten the iced or hot tea the right way with your favorite new sweetener or a tried-and-true classic — since knowing about the sweet stuff never hurts.
Type of Sweeteners for Tea
The best sweeteners should not only provide sweetness to your tea but also enhance its flavor. The world of sweeteners may be just as vast and complex as the world of tea, so picking the correct one isn’t always easy. Sweeteners can be natural or artificial, and they can either be full of calories or no calories at all.
Artificial Sweeteners for your Tea
Artificial sweeteners are a fantastic choice if you want to enhance sweetness while keeping calories low. They’re frequently calorie-free. All unsweetened herbal and genuine teas are nearly calorie-free. Artificial sweeteners are extensively used since they do not raise blood sugar levels. The glycemic index of artificial sweeteners is zero. Down below are the few types of widely used artificial sweeteners.
Stevia
Stevia is a type of natural sweetener. Instead of leaves, most stevia products are in the form of a small tablet, liquid, or powder. Stevia is a calorie-free sweetener produced from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is 200 times sweeter than sugar but still has zero calories and, of course, is zero on the glycemic index scale.
Aspartame
One of the most commonly used artificial sweeteners in the world is aspartame. Many sugar-free confectionery and diet beverages contain it. The amino acids phenylalanine and aspartic acid are combined with a methyl ester to create this artificial sweetener. There is a lot of disagreement concerning its safety and dangers, with some research stating it has no risks or side effects, while others mention a variety of ailments it might cause.
Natural Sweeteners for your Tea
Natural sweeteners, unlike artificial sweeteners, include calories and may have a variety of health benefits. They’re manufactured using all-natural materials. Although all-natural sweeteners boost blood sugar, not all of them are harmful to your health.
Sugar
This is one of the most popular tea sweeteners, and it comes in a variety of flavors. There’s cane sugar, which most people are familiar with, but there are various other great types that can be used in tea. Brown sugars like Demerara and Turbinado have a molasses flavor and go well with black teas that are strong and spicy. Coconut sugar is another wonderful sugar to utilize. It is less processed than ordinary sugar and has a pleasant coconut flavor that will take your tea to new heights of sweetness. If you’re looking for a way to sweeten tea without drastically altering the taste, rock sugar could be the way to go. The tiny crystals add a sense of sweetness while allowing the tea’s original flavors to dominate. It also gives your tea collection a decent look.
Maple Syrup
Not only is maple syrup delicious on pancakes. The sap of sugar maple trees native to Canada is used to make this natural sweetener. Maple syrup has anti-inflammatory properties and might be a superior alternative to white sugar. But don’t go overboard. It’s still sugar, after all.
Honey
Honey is one of the world’s most popular and potentially healthiest sweeteners. It might be raw or refined. Honey is thought to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects, according to research. Is there a healthier method to brew a healthy cup of tea than to add a spoonful of honey? Most likely not. However, honey should not be added to a boiling tea; the ideal temperature for maximizing the benefits may vary depending on the type of honey and tea used, but it will usually be between 149 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
Other Natural Sweeteners
There are a variety of alternative natural sweeteners available. The most widely used is refined white sugar, which should be best avoided. Other sugar alternatives, such as coconut sugar, brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or simple syrup, may be acceptable. However, they are still rich in calories and have the same effect as ordinary table sugar, so you must use them in moderation.
What to Keep in Mind while Sweetening the Tea
Most sweeteners, especially dry sweeteners like sugar, dissolve fast in hot beverages. If you want to sweeten iced tea, sweeten it first and then chill it, or use a liquid sweetener like honey, agave nectar, or simple syrup. When it comes to sweetening tea, as with many things, less is more. If a large dose of sweetness is a part of your morning beverage more than the drink itself, consider switching to a higher-quality tea and reducing the amount of sugar you consume. You could realize that the flavor of the beverage is sweet enough without any added sugar.
Conclusion
To conclude, there are plenty of ways to sweeten your tea, be it cold or hot. It is on you what you find best for yourself. There are options available: sweeteners with a high glycemic index or low, with calories or calorie-free. Whether you choose artificial or natural sweeteners, it is important to keep in mind that the sweeteners should always be used in moderation. Now that you are all about sweetening your tea, you must go ahead and enjoy your sweet, sweet tea.
