In the world of tea, black tea stands out as a warm and nourishing beverage, making it particularly suitable for individuals with cooler or more yin constitutions. When you add a touch of honey or milk to black tea, the flavor becomes not only rich but also offers additional health benefits. Let’s explore some classic and delightful pairings with black tea.
1. Honey Black Tea
Ingredients: 2-5 servings of black tea, honey.
Preparation: Brew a cup of black tea and let it cool slightly. Add honey to the tea and stir until well mixed. Adjust the sweetness by adding 2-3 tablespoons of honey for a sweeter taste or just a tablespoon for a less sweet flavor.
Benefits: Honey black tea helps smooth the digestive tract and improves gastric motility.
2. Milk Black Tea
Ingredients: 2-5 servings of black tea, 100ml of pure milk.
Preparation: Prepare black tea and heat the pure milk. Pour the milk into the tea and stir well. Adjust the sweetness by adding sugar if desired.
Benefits: Milk black tea rapidly replenishes energy and relieves fatigue.
3. Lemon Black Tea
Ingredients: 2-5 servings of black tea, fresh lemon juice, rock sugar.
Preparation: Pour the brewed black tea into a cup and add a few drops of fresh lemon juice. Adjust the acidity with rock sugar if needed. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Benefits: Lemon black tea quenches thirst, dispels heat, and is perfect for hot summer days.
4. Rose Black Tea
Ingredients: 2-5 servings of black tea, dried rose petals.
Preparation: Brew black tea and steep dried rose petals in hot water. Mix the rose tea with black tea and stir well.
Benefits: Rose petals enhance the beauty benefits of the tea, offering a delightful blend of fragrance and sweetness.
5. Peppermint Black Tea
Ingredients: 2-5 servings of black tea, fresh peppermint leaves.
Preparation: Steep fresh peppermint leaves in hot water and mix the peppermint infusion with black tea.
Benefits: Peppermint black tea is refreshing and perfect for hot days, offering a cool and sweet flavor.
6. Ginger Black Tea
Ingredients: Fresh ginger, 2-5 servings of black tea, rock sugar.
Preparation: Slice and simmer ginger in water. Add the ginger infusion to black tea and stir. Adjust the sweetness with rock sugar.
Benefits: Ginger black tea warms the body and helps alleviate menstrual discomfort for women with cold constitutions.
7. Astragalus (Huang Qi) Black Tea
Ingredients: 15g of astragalus, 3g of black tea.
Preparation: Boil astragalus in water for about 15 minutes. Add black tea and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Benefits: Astragalus black tea nourishes the qi, harmonizes the spleen, moistens the lungs, and eliminates phlegm.
8. Sugarcane Black Tea
Ingredients: 500g of sugarcane, 5g of black tea.
Preparation: Peel and chop sugarcane. Simmer sugarcane and black tea together.
Benefits: Sugarcane black tea clears heat, generates fluid, and is ideal for treating dry throat and thirst.
9. Glutinous Rice Black Tea
Ingredients: 50g of glutinous rice, 5g of black tea.
Preparation: Wash glutinous rice and boil it. Add black tea to the cooked glutinous rice water.
Benefits: Glutinous rice black tea supplements qi and blood, improving symptoms of weakness.
10. Osmanthus Black Tea
Ingredients: 7-10 osmanthus flowers, 20g of brown sugar, 5g of black tea.
Preparation: Infuse osmanthus flowers and brown sugar in black tea using hot water.
Benefits: Osmanthus black tea promotes digestion and adds a delightful aroma to the tea.
11. Tangerine Peel + Black Tea
Combining tangerine peel with black tea results in a flavorful and aromatic concoction. Tangerine peel helps digestion and reduces the spicy taste of black tea.
In conclusion, these diverse and flavorful combinations showcase the versatility of black tea. Whether you prefer the soothing blend of honey, the richness of milk, the zestiness of lemon, the floral notes of rose, the refreshing taste of peppermint, the warmth of ginger, the nourishment of astragalus, the sweetness of sugarcane, the comfort of glutinous rice, the fragrant touch of osmanthus, or the citrusy twist of tangerine peel, there’s a perfect black tea pairing for every palate and occasion. Enjoy the delightful world of black tea and its endless possibilities!
