Lemon has antioxidant properties and is a natural healer. It’s no surprise then that any kind of drink with this citrus fruit, whether you make some lemonade or tea, is packed with health benefits.
Lemon tea is a delicious infusion drink. You can make it by simply squeezing some lemon juice in your regular green or black tea. Adding the juice to the tea not only gives it a brighter, warmer hue, but it also makes the drink tangier. Indeed, drinking this lemon-infused tea has gained popularity over the years owing to its promising health benefits.
Simply consuming some lemon tea can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. The high quantity of citric acid present in lemons can decrease the chances of developing mental illnesses. A cup of this pick-me-up drink every now and then can make your life better. Whether you like your tea hot or cold, with or without ginger and honey, you are sure to benefit from it.
No one is sure where the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” comes from, but as far as the evidence shows, the adage could just as easily have included lemons. This tart, yellow fruit contains a comparable amount of Vitamin C to its much-touted cousin the orange, depending on which part of the fruit you eat. (And it has less sugar, so bonus if you are watching your sugar intake!)
Because of their high Vitamin C content, lemons are helpful immune boosters. They are full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, and hot water with lemon has long been a home-remedy for a sore or scratchy throat. You can add a zest of lemon to any of your favorite teas to see how the flavors play together, but if you are looking for teas that specifically pair well with lemon, here are a couple of suggestions to get you started.
1. Earl Grey tea
There’s a reason why Earl Grey tea is one of the most common teas to pair with lemon. In fact, that’s the classically British way to drink Earl Grey, with the addition of milk primarily being an American invention! It all comes down to what makes Earl Grey special to begin with: bergamot. This mysterious and potent ingredient is actually a kind of orange, meaning that citrus flavors are already present in the tea blend and are just waiting to be enhanced by a lovely slice of lemon.
2. Mint tea
There’s nothing fresher than a mint tea… or is there? If you truly want to make you mint tea an invigorating experience, try adding lemon! Water infused with mint and lemon is a common detox recommendation, though it’s worth noting that the idea of a ‘detox’ is scientific nonsense. The benefit you feel from ‘detoxing’ is more likely to be psychosomatic (which is to say, you’re imagining it!) or is simply a consequence of drinking more water, which is almost always what you should be doing. That said, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a refreshing mint tea with lemon and enjoy the hydration and taste! The sharpness of the lemon cuts through that unique menthol flavor in a way that delights your entire palette. Just think about all of those sophisticated lemonades you’ve had – they always have mint in! It’s a dream team.
3. Chamomile tea
Many swear by chamomile as an effective home remedy for all sorts of ailments, but even the most ardent chamomile fan would admit that its grassy taste isn’t for everyone. Before you reach for sugar or other concentrated sweeteners, however, why not try it with lemon? Fresh lemon juice or zest goes beautifully with chamomile tea. Chamomile is a flower, after all, and citrus helps take those floral notes and make them feel as crisp as a spring breeze. There is also evidence to suggest that adding lemon to chamomile tea helps soothe sore throats!
4. Green tea
Much like chamomile, green tea is touted as one of those things you really should drink. Sometimes it’s called a “green tea cleanse.” To some, however, the earthiness of green tea can make drinking it arduous, whatever the purported health benefits. Thankfully, there’s a way to revolutionize your habits and start actually enjoying green tea. You can add lemon to green tea as a natural sweetener. The acidity of fresh lemon juice or zest releases more antioxidants from the tea leaves. They’re proven to ward off cell damage and decrease the risk of conditions such as heart disease. Plus, it helps the tea taste great!
5. Lemon & Ginger tea
You might be confused, why add more lemon to a ‘Lemon & Ginger’ tea? If anything, that’s the one tea you shouldn’t need to add lemon to! Hear us out: this might be a point of personal preference, but in the highly saturated market of Lemon & Ginger infusions, not many of them taste… well, lemony! Adding fresh lemon juice or zest to your existing Lemon & Ginger blend is a great way to balance the tea to your preference, especially if the ginger flavor is quite overpowering. Plus, the lemon pieces used in these premade infusions are often low quality and need their taste to be reinforced.
