Sweeten Your Tea!

Most of the tea consumed in the United States isn’t hot, and it isn’t green. It’s usually a traditional black tea, and more often than not, it’s iced and sweetened! We’ve already talked about the basics of iced tea and how to brew the perfect cup, but today we’re focusing on the last element of the equation: all things sweet! The first recipe for sweet tea was introduced in 1879 and gained popularity after being featured at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, but there’s so much more than meets the eye with this southeastern US Favorite. Read on for some of our favorite ways to sweeten our brews and our very own Fava’s Favorite Sweet Tea recipe!

Fresh Fruit – Simple and easy! Reaching for some fresh fruit (or even dried fruit) can not only create a new depth of flavor, but can also make for a wealth of flavor options. Strawberries, peaches, mango, raspberries, and lemon barely scratch the surface of options, and you can mix it up with a variety of flavors to sweeten your tea naturally!

Honey – One of the most common sweeteners, and often the first that comes to mind when you think of tea, honey is a favorite among many. Sweeter than sugar, it’s also important to note that raw honey doesn’t go bad! Thanks to a low water content and high acidity, it can keep for centuries as long as you store it with a lid on and free of moisture. Struggling with crystalized honey? Slowly heat it in a bowl of hot water until it returns to its beautiful amber liquid form. Fava Tea Company is proud to sell Honey Acres products in-store only, so stop by one of our locations for a sweet treat!

Stevia – Made from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant and native to South America, this low-calorie sweetener has become increasingly popular. In fact, it’s said that stevia leaves are up to 300-400 times sweeter than regular table sugar. You can find stevia in powder or liquid forms, but it makes for a wonderful natural alternative for those looking to sweeten their tea without cane sugar.

Coconut Sugar – Another natural alternative to regular sugar, coconut sugar is made from the sap of the coconut palm tree, which means that it won’t actually make your tea taste like coconuts! Sometimes called palm sugar, it offers a caramel-like taste and looks almost like brown sugar. Since it’s less refined, it maintains some of its natural vitamins and minerals, but should still be used in moderation the same as any sweetener.

Maple Syrup – Not just for pancakes and waffles! Maple syrup is a common sight in colder climates, where maple trees produce plenty of sap used to make this sweet treat. Adding this to your tea can bring a molasses flavor to the mix, and it works especially well for sweetening a traditional iced tea or even a matcha latte!

Cinnamon – Looking for a tea that’s naturally sweet? Check out a cinnamon spice blend! Many customers ask if we add sweetener to these fan favorites, but the truth is that it’s just naturally that sweet! Cinnamon is also a great source of antioxidants, and it’s commonly featured in chai blends to add an additional level of flavor. Shop our best-selling Green Cinnamon Spice, Black Cinnamon Spice, and Rooibos Cinnamon Spice to try this sweet treat for yourself!

Rock Sugar – We couldn’t have a list of tea sweeteners without mentioning our Natural Rock Sugar! This sugar is made of beet sugar, which is derived from the sugar beet plant. It is less processed than white sugar and retains a richer flavor and a deep brown color. It’s our pick for a classic sweet tea recipe, which you can find below!

Fava’s Favorite Sweet Tea

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp Onyx Organic Black Tea
• 2 tsp Natural Rock Sugar
• 8oz Hot Water (212 Degrees)
• Shaker filled with Ice

Creating the perfect sweet tea is simple! Brew Onyx Organic and Natural Rock Sugar in hot water for 3 minutes, strain into a shaker filled with ice, shake well, and pour over a glass of ice. This recipe makes for an individual 16-ounce serving of sweet tea, but can easily be made in larger batches!