Best Sweeteners for Tea

The love of people for tea makes it the most consumed beverage in the world and has become a habit without whose intake the day seems incomplete and boring. Being the most consumed beverage is not that easy as it sounds. With it comes a lot of expectations of its customers and to fulfil it to remain the top pick among the masses is a difficult thing to do. 

The expectation of different tastes, flavours, blends, some prefer hot and for some cold tea is the choice, some may like sugar - fee and for some sweetener is a must. As far as sweeteners are concerned there are a variety of sweeteners available to make your tea a refreshing one. It can be natural or artificial depending on one's choice. 

Best Natural sweeteners For Tea 

The best sweeteners should have two potential benefits to offer - one is sweetness and the second is that they should also enhance the flavour of your tea. And to fulfil this purpose what's better than the natural sweeteners for your tea. The natural sweetener in small amounts is not that harmful. They still contain natural hydration, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants which will give you a boost of natural energy. 

        Let us look at some of the natural sweeteners available for your tea -

1. Honey - 

Honey is one of the oldest natural sweeteners. It is one of the most popular and healthiest sweeteners among the masses. It can be available in two forms - raw and filtered. Raw honey is the recommended one as it contains enzymes, vitamins, minerals etc. As in filtered honey pasteurization takes place because of which the good stuff which it carries is no more available. Honey can vary in the range of flavours, it can be strong or mild. Honey possesses a lot of health benefits like it is anti-inflammatory, contains antioxidants, boosts up your immunity and shields you from infections. 

2. Real Maple Syrup - 

Being a great source of manganese and zinc, real maple syrup is made from boiled-down maple tree sap. The amount of fructose is much lower than the agave nectar. It also provides a pleasant flavour to your tea or food items and is too good for baking especially pancakes. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties and is a good substitute for white sugar. 

3. Agave Nectar - 

Agave nectar is a natural liquid sweetener with a relatively low glycemic index. It is extremely processed like sugar because of the process of its extraction. Because of its relatively low effect on blood sugar levels, it is used as a substitute for sugar by diabetic patients. It is better to consume it in low quantities as it affects the hormone leptin, which is responsible for appetite. 

4. Molasses - 

Molasses is one of the most nutritious and beneficial sweeteners and is a result of sugar cane juice or sugar beet. If the juice is boiled for a longer duration, its result would be less sweet, more nutritious molasses. It is a great sweetener for teas. Molasses also contains iron, magnesium, sulphur, fructose and copper which increases its health benefits. 

5. Licorice Root - 

Licorice root is a type of sweetener which is also a tea. The blends with licorice root still taste sweet without any addition of sugar. It gets along very well with the herbal and real teas. It was earlier used as a cure for stomach issues, soothing throat, anxiety and stress management. 

6. Dates - 

The dates and their paste are made by soaking them with water, both act as amazing sweeteners for the tea. 

7. Coconut sugar - 

Coconut sugar is a result of the sweet nectar of flower buds of the coconut palm and is therefore known as coconut palm sugar. Coconut palm sugar is a rich source of iron, vitamins and potassium. It has a low glycemic index, providing a stable release of glucose into the blood. 

Best Artificial Sweeteners  

Artificial sweeteners are often calorie-free. To add sweetness, artificial sweetness is a good option. One of the most potential reasons which recommend its usage is its zero glycemic indexes because of which the blood sugar levels don't rise. 

Now, let us look at some of the artificial sweeteners to opt for - 

1. Stevia - 

Stevia is a type of natural sweetener and is made from leaves of the stevia rebaudiana. The caloric content in Stevie is zero and it is generally sweeter than sugar. Stevia is available in different forms like pill, powder or liquid. 

2. Aspartame - 

One of the most commonly used sweeteners around the world is aspartame. It is made up of amino acids phenylalanine and methyl ester with aspartic acid. It is found in many sugar-free sweets and dietary drinks. 

Some Tea Recipes Using Sweeteners 

1. Homemade chai - 

 Ingredients -

• Peeled slices of fresh ginger.
• Honey as a sweetener.
• 2- 3 cloves.
• 2 cardamom, crushed.
• Cinnamon stick. 
• 2- 3 cups of water. 
• Teabags. 
• 1 cup milk. 

Procedure -

1. In a vessel add ginger, stevia, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon stick and water. 
2. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add tea bags to it. 
4. Strain to remove pieces of the ingredients added. 
5. Again pour liquid into the vessel.
6. Add milk and warm it. 
7. Serve hot and enjoy. 

  2. Iced Green Tea - 

Ingredients - 

• 2- 3 cups of water.
• 2 green tea bags.
• 2 cups of cold water.
• Stevia as a sweetener.

Procedure - 

1. In a vessel, add water and bring it to a boil. 
2. To it add green tea bags.
3. After removing the vessel from heat, remove the tea bags as well.
4. In cold water, add sweetener and stir it until it gets dissolved. 
5. And then serve the tea over ice.

 Final Words 

According to your preferences and taste, different sweeteners are available which not only enhances the taste of your tea but also possesses healthy attributes. So one can add sweetener of their choice to any type of tea whether homemade chai, green tea or black tea. It fits in every shoe and makes your tea a toothsome to make your mood refreshing.