We all know the feeling of reaching for a refreshing drink on a hot summer day. But as we grab that sugary, calorie-laden bubble tea, we can't help but worry about the impact on our health and waistlines.

In today's world where health and nutrition awareness is on the rise, fruit tea has become the go-to choice for many of us looking for a healthier and more nourishing beverage.

The best part? Making your own fruit tea is easier than you think! We can create delicious, refreshing fruit teas at home with just a few ingredients, and it's even better because we can include our favorite fruits. Say goodbye to the overpriced drinks at bubble tea shops and the excessive sugar intake—fruit tea is a tasty, healthy, and budget-friendly alternative!

Two Major Benefits of Fruit Tea

Rich in Dietary Fiber

The first major benefit of fruit tea is the dietary fiber it provides. We all know that fruits are packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, and fruit tea is no different. This fiber helps promote digestion and keeps us feeling full longer. In today's fast-paced society, a cup of fruit tea is an easy way to replenish nutrients that we often miss out on, all while enjoying a delicious, healthy drink. It's a win-win!

Low in Calories

Another huge benefit of fruit tea is that it's low in calories. When we make fruit tea at home, we have full control over the ingredients. We can choose fresh fruits that are naturally sweet, reducing the need for added sugars or artificial sweeteners.

Plus, we can use a low-calorie base, like pure tea or water, rather than high-calorie sugary drinks. Unlike store-bought fruit teas that are often loaded with sugar, homemade fruit tea lets us enjoy a refreshing, healthy, and low-calorie treat.

Choosing the Right Base for Fruit Tea

When it comes to choosing the base for our fruit tea, we can select one based on its nutritional value, flavor, and texture. For instance, pineapple and apple are both nutrient-rich and pair well with almost any fruit. If we're aiming to add a bit more zing to our drink, we can choose fruits like lemon, kumquat, or passion fruit, which will bring in a lovely citrusy aroma and a balance of sweet and tart flavors.

Here are some great base teas for fruit tea:

• Four Seasons Spring Green Tea

If we prefer a lighter tea flavor, Four Seasons Spring green tea is the perfect choice. It has a taste that lies between oolong and black tea, offering the floral notes of oolong and the fresh, crisp flavor of black tea.

• Assam Black Tea

With its rich aroma and smooth, sweet taste, Assam tea pairs beautifully with citrus fruits like lemon, making it a popular choice for fruit tea.

• South African Rooibos

This caffeine-free tea is a great option for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. It has a mild, sweet flavor with a natural herbal aroma.

Common Fruit Tea Combinations

Creating our own fruit tea means we can experiment with different fruit combinations. Here are some popular mixes that we can try:

• Apple + Pineapple + Passion Fruit

• Kumquat + Lemon

• Orange + Passion Fruit + Kiwi

Fruits to Avoid in Fruit Tea

While fruit tea is generally versatile, some fruits don't work well when boiled or steeped in tea. Fruits like strawberries, mangoes, and citrus, which contain high amounts of pectin, can become thick and gooey when cooked for long periods. These fruits are best avoided if we want a smooth, refreshing fruit tea.

Making Fruit Tea for All Seasons

Fruit tea isn't just a summer treat—it can be enjoyed year-round! Whether it's a tropical, cooling fruit tea for the summer or a warm, comforting version for winter, here's how we can make two delicious fruit tea recipes.

Tropical Summer Fruit Tea

• Step 1: Wash and slice the fruits, such as apple, pineapple, lemon, orange, kumquat, and passion fruit. Place the fruits in a jar or pitcher.

• Step 2: Boil 300 ml of water and steep your chosen tea bag or loose tea for 3-5 minutes, then remove the tea bag.

• Step 3: Let the tea cool, then pour it over the fruit in the jar. Add ice cubes or chill it in the fridge. Optionally, sweeten with honey or rock sugar. Now, we have a perfect summer fruit tea!

Winter Comfort Fruit Tea

• Step 1: Wash and slice the fruits, including apple, pineapple, lemon, orange, kumquat, and passion fruit, and place them in a pot.

• Step 2: Add 1000-1500 ml of water, and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, simmer for 10-15 minutes over low heat.

• Step 3: Add your base tea (green or black tea) and simmer for another 3 minutes or until the tea reaches the desired strength. Sweeten with honey or rock sugar to taste, and enjoy a warm and soothing fruit tea!

Pro Tips for the Best Fruit Tea

Here's a little secret: The key to a great fruit tea is choosing a base tea that doesn't overpower the fruits. We recommend trying cool-brewed Four Seasons Spring tea or Assam tea, as their delicate flavors complement the fresh taste of the fruit without overshadowing it. When we get the base tea just right, we can enjoy both the tea's subtle aroma and the vibrant, fresh flavors of the fruit.

Don't Want to Make Your Own? Try These Ready-to-Drink Options!

If we're feeling too lazy to make fruit tea from scratch, there are excellent pre-packaged fruit tea bags we can buy. We recommend Ok Tea's five different fruit tea blends, each one as refreshing as a freshly brewed cup! For those avoiding caffeine, try their Peach Lemon tea or the Rose & Pineapple Tea with chia seeds. For a more classic option, go for their Lemon Black Tea or the Fiber-rich Green Tea with Matcha.

Making our own fruit tea can be as easy as it is fun! Whether we're in the mood for a cool drink on a hot day or a cozy treat during the winter, fruit tea is a delicious, healthy, and versatile drink that we can enjoy year-round.