With a global market of over 56 million dollars, it is safe to say that tea is incredibly popular. No matter where you are in the world, you can almost guarantee you will be offered tea. With so many options to choose from and so much terminology, it is easy to feel overwhelmed in the world of tea. With fruit and herbal teas becoming increasingly more in demand and widely available, you may be wondering if your fruit tea is really a tea at all.
All “teas” are technically infusions. True teas are infusions made specifically and only from the Camellia Sinensis tea plant. Because fruit teas are not made with the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis tea plant, it is not technically tea. Fruit, herb, flower, and bark “teas” are infusions that are technically called “tisanes.” However, for ease of use, all infusions have come to be known as teas.
With so many options to choose from, great flavors, and so many desirable benefits, there is a fruit tea blend that is destined to become your new favorite infusion.
Let’s dive into the details of fruit “tea” and the variety of options you have.
You may also want to read my article Why are Some Teas Not Vegan? The Full Guide to Vegan Teas.
“All “teas” are technically infusions. True teas are infusions made specifically and only from the Camellia Sinensis tea plant. Because fruit teas are not made with the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis tea plant, it is not technically tea. Fruit, herb, flower, and bark “teas” are infusions that are technically called “tisanes.” However, for ease of use, all infusions have come to be known as teas.”
TEA CROSSING
Understanding Fruit Tea
Whether you are brewing black, herbal, or fruit teas, the process pretty much remains the same. Dried fruit, leaves, or herbs are used to infuse flavor into hot, sometimes boiling water.
This is why all teas are called infusions.
The added benefit of fruit teas is that they are all caffeine-free, and many offer a variety of health benefits you can enjoy along with their naturally sweet and many flavorful options.
Fruit teas share many of the same qualities that we have grown accustomed to associating with traditional tea. Herbal and fruit teas share a rich and global history. They are available in loose-leaf options and the more familiar and convenient tea bag. Fruit teas are especially regarded for their health benefits and varieties of flavor and can be served hot or iced.
“Fruit, herb, flower, and bark “teas” are infusions that are technically called ’tisanes.'”
TEA CROSSING
What Is True Tea?
The term “tea” used in a technically correct way, is referring only to the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis, or tea plant.
These leaves are either steeped in water in tea bags or infused as whole leaves with an infuser. This plant is responsible for producing six known types of traditional or “pure” tea.
Camellia Sinensis leaves are processed to create black tea, white tea, oolong tea, and green tea, yellow tea, and dark tea.
The critical factor that all of these teas share, besides originating from the same plant, is that they all contain caffeine.
Caffeine exists naturally in the tea plant. The caffeine levels in the tea that is produced is determined by how the tea is processed and how it is subsequently brewed. Black and oolong tea are higher in caffeine than white and green tea. Though you may see naturally decaffeinated options at your local stores, it is important to remember that some caffeine always remains in the tea leaves.
Pure tea is never entirely free from caffeine.
Tea has been enjoyed for over 5000 years. While its exact discovery is unknown, the legend remains that in 2737BC, Emperor Shen Nung serendipitously discovered tea after the wind carried leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant into a pot of boiling water. Drawn to the pleasant aroma, he decided to drink the infusion and inadvertently discovered tea in the process.
Tea Has a Rich and Ancient History
For the first 13 centuries or so, all tea that was made and consumed in China was green tea.
Over this period, tea grew in popularity and was highly regarded in Chinese culture for its connection to nature and for its speculated medicinal properties.
As the demand for tea grew, and the Chinese began trading tea internationally, the fermentation process that resulted in black tea was developed by tea growers.
The growth of the tea plant quickly spread throughout the rest of Asia. Tea seeds were brought to Tibet and Japan, where they began to grow their own tea and cultivate their respective tea cultures.
As a gift to Russia, tea became so popular that trade routes were almost immediately put into place to keep up with the demand throughout the country.
Before long, in 1610, tea was finally imported to Europe by the Portuguese and the Dutch. In fact, all of Europe’s history with tea, and even that in North America, can be directly linked back to these countries and their infinity for the brewed beverage.
Interestingly enough, both iced tea and the popular brewing method of tea bags were both invented in the United States in the 20th century.
Tea and its sale and trade played a notable role in globalization, and today tea is second only to water as the most consumed beverage in the world.
Over 2 billion people worldwide drink tea daily. Let that sink in.
Fruit Teas Originate From Herbal Teas
Just as the actual discovery of traditional tea is shrouded in legend and speculation, the exact beginning of herbal and fruit teas is also unknown.
Evidence of herbal medicinal infusions can be found as far back as 1000 B.C. in Ancient Egypt, but are most often credited to Ancient China, long before the legend of Emperor Shen Nung and his accidental discovery of what is known as traditional tea.
Herbal infusions seem to be far more rooted in tradition than tea itself.
Dried herbs and spices have long been mixed to hot water to create treatments for a wide range of health issues and medical symptoms.
The ingredients and uses for such herbal remedies have been written about and passed down from generation to generation through word of mouth and culture for centuries.
One of the earliest writings on record is by a Greek doctor and pharmacist named Pedanius Dioscorides. His work, De Materia Medica, was a multi-volume volume encyclopedia written between 50 and 70 AD. In it, he described more than 600 plants and their medicinal uses through infusions and various other preparations.
For roughly 2000 years, herbal teas have been highly regarded and used for their medicinal properties and great taste. The incredible benefits of the use of fruits and herbs were adapted across the world and used in a variety of ways throughout history.
Fruit Tea Is Tied to Freedom
The earliest evidence of fruit teas being brewed and enjoyed as a beverage was following the American Revolution.
The Boston Tea party is perhaps one of the most famous incidents involving tea in all of history. As a result of growing frustrations with the high taxes the British were putting on tea in the colonies, a group of protestors found their way onto a ship in the Boston Harbor. They dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor that night.
This event would be one of the sparks that ignited the American Revolution.
During the war, the British blocked off American ports with their navy, eliminating the future American’s tea imports.
To satisfy their craving for tea, the colonists got creative and started to source what they had available. They sourced local herbs and fruits, dried them, and began to infuse them with water the same way they had with tea.
Peppermint, Chamomile, and Berry teas became an increasingly popular trend at the time.
Fittingly, these infusions were known as “Freedom Teas.”
“The earliest evidence of fruit teas being brewed and enjoyed as a beverage was following the American Revolution.”
TEA CROSSING
Fruit Tea Is Packaged Two Ways
The two most common ways to purchase fruit teas are as loose tea or in individual pre-packaged tea bags.
There is much debate amongst tea enthusiasts as to which is the appropriate way to enjoy your tea. However, for the average tea consumer, it all comes down to personal preference and availability.
Loose Fruit Tea
Loose leaf tea is just that. It is dried leaves, fruits, and petals that are not pre-measured out or crushed down to fill a tea bag. It is usually stored in an airtight canister or tea caddy to keep its freshness. Loose leaf tea tends to be better overall quality tea as its ingredients are sold whole and not overly processed.
The drinker individually measures out their preferred tea servings. You can mix your tea to your exact liking and, with different variations, can create their own custom fruit and herbal blends.
Loose tea requires the use of strainers, tea balls, filtered teapots, or infusion bags to brew your favorite loose fruit teas to prevent the leaves from floating all around in your cup or teapot and over brewing.
The full loose tea leaves need room to be able to swell while seeping. As the loose tea absorbs the hot water, the dried fruit, petals, and leaves begin to swell. This is how the water is able to infuse with and extract the essential vitamins, minerals, aromas, and flavors from the tea.
Fruit Tea Bags
Tea bags date back to 1901 in America. Rumor has it; they were invented by accident by Thomas Sullivan. Sullivan had been supplying samples of his varieties on tea in small, hand-sewn silk bags. What he didn’t intend for, or plan for, was that his customers were using the bags to brew individual servings of tea.
Eventually, the popularity of these bags became the most common request for Thomas’s business. That happy accident was the foundation of the modern-day, single serving, tea bag.
Generally, the fruit teas found in modern tea bags are the dried leaves and petals that are ground up very small or are sometimes made of the “dust” or pieces of tea that remain from processing and packaging loose tea leaves. To ensure you are getting the best cup of tea possible, make sure you are purchasing the highest quality tea bags if you prefer this type of presentation.
Consequently, you can now order empty tea bags to fill and create your own personalized tea bag varieties. Tea bags have become the most versatile and popular choice for their convenience, portability, and easy cleanup.
How to Make A Hot Cup of Fruit Tea: 5 Easy Steps
There are a few things to remember when brewing yourself a cup of your favorite fruit tea.
These simples steps will help you to steep a healthy cup of fruit tea:
- First, for more flavor, you do not want to steep your tea longer. By leaving your tea or tea bag in the water for longer than recommended, you don’t intensify the strength or flavor of your tea. In fact, you will end up making your tea taste bitter and have less than desirable flavor.
- Instead, if you prefer a more robust flavor or a more aromatic cup of tea, you will want to steep your tea for the recommended amount of time, but this time, adding another tea bag or another teaspoon of loose tea leaves. Remember when brewing loose tea leaves to steep them in an infuser of some kind.
- Fruit teas are recommended to be steeped in water that isn’t at a full boil, roughly 190-210 degrees Fahrenheit. Water that is too hot has been known to affect the overall flavor of your tea.
- Let your tea bag or 1-2 teaspoons of loose tea steep in the water for about 5 minutes. All teas require a minimum of 1 minute to brew, but the range for fruit teas is anywhere from 3-10 minutes.
- Milk and sugar are not associated with or traditionally used with herbal and fruit teas. Because of the flavor profiles specific to fruit teas, milk is not recommended as it can result in an unpleasant taste.Instead, try using honey and lemon to tailor the sweetness and acidity of your fruit tea to your liking.
Fruit tea infusions are to be enjoyed. Have fun with them, and don’t be afraid to experiment a bit to find your perfect cup of fruit tea.
Serve Your Fruit Tea Iced For a Refreshing Summer Beverage
One of the reasons fruit infusions are commonly referred to as teas is because of the many similarities it shares with traditional tea.
One of these similarities is its versatility. Traditionally, teas are served hot, and in the cooler months of winter, fall, and early spring, there are few things more comforting than a freshly brewed, aromatic, hot cup of fruit or herbal tea.
In the dead heat of summer, however, a piping hot beverage may not seem so refreshing. Fruit teas can be made into some of the most delicious, flavorful, and hydrating cold beverages you can offer on a hot summer day.
To create a pitcher of fruit tea, you will start by brewing a full teapot with hot water and let steep for the full 10 minutes. Because it will be served over ice, you want to brew as robust a tea as you can. Remember to add the necessary amount of loose tea leaves or the number of tea bags to account for a full pot of hot water.
Once your fruit tea is brewed correctly, remove your tea bags, or strain your tea leaves, add honey as desired for sweetness. Pour over ice. Stir to cool the tea’s temperature evenly, and add more ice as needed. For added flavor and refreshment, add fresh fruits of your choice to the pitcher.
Serve over more ice and enjoy!!
There Are A Lot of Reasons to Drink Fruit Teas
Many will say that their preference for fruit teas comes from the fact that they are sugar-free, caffeine-free, and bursting with flavor. There seem to be limitless options for fruit flavors and flavor combinations available these days.
However, there are many surprising benefits from opting to brew yourself a cup of fruit tea at any time of day.
Some notable benefits of fruit teas include:
- Fruit teas are hydrating. We’re all aware of how important proper hydration is. Drinking water for adequate hydration is advised almost everywhere you turn. The good news is, drinking fruit teas is just as effective at hydrating your body as water is!
- Fruit teas are sugar-free and caffeine-free. Naturally sweetened by the fruit itself, you can satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way. Plus, they are all naturally caffeine-free, making fruit teas an excellent substitute for coffee in the afternoon or evening.
- Fruit teas are a great way to get your vitamins. They are packed with both vitamins and antioxidants that are proven to be beneficial to your health and help prevent common illnesses.
- Fruit teas help strengthen your immune system and have incredible detoxification properties to help aid in digestion.
Many Popular Varieties of Fruit Teas Have Big Health Benefits
Fruit teas can essentially be made from any dried fruit that you choose. Over time, there are specific fruits that have become favorites among tea drinkers everywhere.
These teas are well-loved for their incredible flavor and for their tested and proven health benefits as well. By brewing fresh fruit teas from these powerful fruits, you can enjoy a refreshing beverage and reap a variety of health benefits as well.
To maximize the health benefits of fruit teas, make sure you are buying the highest quality fruit tea.
Cranberry Teas
Cranberries are well recognized as a superfood. The benefits of cranberries in your diet are endless, and enjoying a cup of cranberry tea is one way to experience the healing benefits of cranberries.
Here are some of the benefits you may receive:
- Chilled cranberry tea can improve your dental health. The proanthocyanidins in cranberries create a protective barrier around your teeth. Cranberry tea can help prevent plaque growth and some periodontal diseases.
- Cranberries are well known for their antimicrobial properties. Regular consumption of cranberry tea can help promote a healthy gut.
- Cranberry is a natural diuretic and is considered a natural way to maintain urinary tract health by disrupting bacterial and ulcer growth. It is also a well-known remedy to prevent and treat minor UTIs.
- Cranberry tea is acidic, making it an incredible detox tea that can help increase your metabolism and aid in weight loss.
- Cranberry tea can be beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels in your body, reducing your risk for specific cardiovascular issues.
Acai Berry Teas
Acai berries continue to increase in popularity. Although they have long been a food source for the Amazonian people, the global obsession with Acai berries is a relatively new one.
Acai berries, like cranberries, are known as a superfood. Superfoods are categorized by their richness in antioxidants and other compounds that are known to provide multiple health benefits. And Acai berry teas deliver so many.
Here are some of the benefits you may receive:
- Acai berry tea is full of antioxidants, the most impressive one being anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are known to lower blood pressure, inhibit tumor growth, have anti-inflammatory, and so much more.
- Acai berry tea is good for your brain. Research shows that acai berries may be helpful as an alternative therapy to bipolar disorder, and may help protect against strokes and improve cognitive function.
- Drinking acai berry tea regularly can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol, reducing your risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Red Raspberry/Raspberry Leaf Teas
Raspberry leaf tea is a popular recommendation for women’s health, and red raspberries have been used for years for its excellent medicinal effects for thousands of years.
Raspberry leaf tea is brewed from the leaves of the raspberry bush and doesn’t have a red raspberry flavor. In fact, it tastes more like a black tea, and it is highly regarded for its use by a pregnant woman as a caffeine-free alternative to traditional tea and coffee and its benefits during pregnancy.
Red raspberry tea is made from the fruit itself, offering a sweet and tart flavor and a host of medicinal qualities.
Here are some of the benefits you may receive:
- Red raspberries are well known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking 3 cups of raspberry or raspberry leaf tea a day can help to reduce pain and swelling associated with arthritis and other joint conditions.
- The most popular medicinal use of raspberry leaf tea is as a uterine tonic. Raspberry leaf tea is used during pregnancy to help strengthen the uterus and to help make contractions more effective.
- Raspberry tea is good for your heart. The vitamin C in raspberries, along with gallic acid, and potassium help to protect your heart. Regular consumption of raspberry tea can reduce your blood pressure and fight off age-related disease.
- Raspberry leaf tea is good for your skin. Loaded with vitamin C and E, raspberry tea can have healing effects on some skin conditions such as eczema and some acnes.
Lemon Teas
Adding lemon to your regular teas has long been a common practice to promote health. A popular remedy for the common cold is adding lemon and honey to your hot cup of tea.
But lemon can be made into tea itself, offering a potent dose of vitamin C and a long list of wellness benefits.
Usually, with fruit teas, you will find lemon blended with other sweet and healthy fruits, like blueberries and strawberries, or with different herbs like ginger and echinacea.
Lemon offers fantastic health and healing properties. You will definitely want to make lemon tea a part of your regular routine.
Here are some of the benefits you may receive:
- Lemon tea is good for your liver. Citric acid has powerful detoxing capabilities and can help rid your liver and body of toxins.
- Lemon tea with honey is powerful against the common cold. The antioxidants and vitamin C in lemon are powerful immune system boosters. Combined with honey, lemon tea has been shown to help alleviate chest congestion, making you feel better faster.
- Lemon tea aids in your digestion. Citric acid is good for so many things, and your digestion is one of them. By flushing out toxins and waste, lemon tea calms your digestive tract and aids in the increased absorption of nutrition.
- Increase your energy levels with lemon tea. The detoxing effects of lemon tea improve mood and reduce stress levels, which lead to more energy. Lemon tea is also known to increase your body’s insulin activity. Insulin is what your body uses to convert sugar to energy.
- Lemon tea is good for your cells. Lemons are full of antioxidants that help protect your cells from being damaged and facilitate the death of unhealthy cells while preventing the growth of cancer cells.
Fruit Teas Are Worth Adding to Your Diet
Tea or not, fruit infusion teas are here to stay. Technically, they’ve always been here. While calling them tea may be incorrect on a technicality, the benefits and similarities it shares with what we have grown to love about tea, sure seem to give us reason to overlook that.
Whether you prefer loose tea leaves or tea bags, sweet or tart, fruit teas are an all-natural, caffeine-free way to enjoy a hot or cold refreshing beverage that will do your body a lot of good.
Fruit teas are comforting and inviting. Tea can be a way to recharge your own batteries or a way to bring people together.
The best part about fruit teas is that there is no right or wrong. You can have fun with flavors and aromas. Experiment with natural sweeteners. Enjoying the flavors and combinations, the whole fruit tea experience, and reaping the health and wellness benefits, make fruit teas a must add to your daily lifestyle.