For Aussies who love a good cuppa, there's nothing like snuggling up with a warm brew on a chilly morning or sipping on a refreshing iced tea in the heat of summer. But you know what's even better? Adding some zing to your tea routine with a homemade orange tea.
Orange peel is an often-overlooked ingredient that can be used to make a delicious and refreshing cup of orange tea. This sweet and tangy concoction is the perfect way to wake up your taste buds and give your immune system a boost.
Plus, it's super easy to make at home with our orange tea recipe – so you don't need to be a master chef to whip up a batch. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a cup of homemade orange tea that's bursting with flavours. So, let's grab our kettles and get brewing!
What Is Orange Tea?
Orange tea is a delicious and refreshing beverage that’s made by steeping orange peels or orange-flavoured tea bags in hot water. It can be enjoyed hot or cold and is a popular choice among tea drinkers looking for a flavourful and healthy alternative to traditional tea.
When it comes to orange peel, it's where the real deal is at. It packs more flavours and vitamins than the orange itself.
Orange is a fantastic source of vitamin C, which can help bolster your immune system and ward off the common cold and flu. Not only that, but it's also packed with flavonoids that are known to reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol levels and protect against chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer.
How To Make Orange Tea?
Making the orange peel tea is a breeze and there are numerous ways to do it. However, going by the most common orange tea recipe, you just steep fresh orange peels in boiling water for several minutes. By doing so, you'll unlock the natural oils and flavours of the peel while extracting the many health benefits that it offers.
As an avid fan of orange peel tea, I got to spill the tea about its amazing health benefits. Did you know that orange peel contains a special kind of soluble fibre called Pectin? It works wonders in regulating digestion and can help you shed some extra pounds by reducing your appetite and preventing overeating. Pectin also has a positive impact on your cholesterol levels, lowering LDL or "bad" cholesterol.
Let’s dive into the details of our orange tea recipe and explore how to make the tea easily:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of orange peel
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 2 cardamom pods (optional)
- ½ inch stick Cinnamon (optional)
- A pinch of saffron (optional)
Orange peel: it's worth noting that orange peels have a unique and citrusy flavour that adds a pleasant taste to the tea. Interestingly, the orange peel is more nutrient-dense than the fruit itself.
Cardamom pods: The pod spice packs in a unique flavour and aroma. It has a warm, slightly sweet taste with a hint of menthol and is often used in traditional chai tea recipes and variants of the basic orange tea recipe. It also aids digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Saffron: The most expensive spice in the world, saffron, adds a distinct and aromatic flavour to the orange peel tea. Fun fact – it takes 75,000 saffron flowers to produce just one pound of saffron. This rarity also makes it a target for fraud and adulteration So, be sure to buy it from a trustworthy source.
Honey: It’s a perfect natural sweetener for the tea. Interestingly, honey can never spoil when stored in airtight containers. Archaeologists have even discovered pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that’re still edible after thousands of years. Pretty cool, right?
Cinnamon: The spice adds a distinct sweet and warm flavour to the tea. Apart from its use in recipes, cinnamon was so valuable during the Middle Ages that it was used as currency.
Instructions:
Step One: Gather the orange peels. You can use fresh orange peels or save the peels from oranges you have already eaten. Make sure to wash the peels thoroughly before using them. Of course, you can also use orange tea bags if the orange peels are not handy.
Step Two: Cut the orange peels into small pieces. You can use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors. The smaller the pieces, the more flavour will be extracted.
Step Three: Boil the water in a pot on the stove. Once the water comes to a boil, turn the heat down to low.
Step Four: Add the orange peels to the pot of water. Stir the orange peels and let them simmer for about 10 minutes. To add more flavour, add cinnamon and cardamom to the pot with the orange peels.
Step Five: After 10 minutes, remove the pot from the stove and let it cool for a few minutes.
Step Six: Strain the liquid into a cup using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the orange peels, cinnamon sticks and cardamom shell.
Step Seven: Add honey or sugar to taste. Stir well. Serve the tea hot or chilled over ice.
So next time you find yourself with some orange peels, don't let them go to waste! Instead, whip up a batch of delicious orange tea and enjoy the sweet and tangy flavours of this classic. Cheers!
Tips And Tricks to Make Refreshing Orange Tea
Wondering how to make orange tea that’s perfectly refreshing? Well…just follow these tips and tricks to get the result you want:
- Choose fresh, bright and organic oranges for the best flavour and quality. Organic oranges are free from harmful chemicals that can affect the taste of your tea. Make sure to wash the oranges thoroughly before peeling to remove any dirt or debris, then dry them with a clean towel.
- Adjust the amount of orange peels in the orange tea recipe to your personal preference. For a stronger orange flavour, add more peels to your tea.
- Why not try experimenting with different spices such as cinnamon, cardamom or cloves to add a unique flavour to your tea? The spices enhance the taste.
- If you want to make a larger batch of tea, simply increase the quantity of each ingredient and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Ways To Store Your Leftover Orange Tea
If you’re wondering how to make orange tea leftovers last longer, don’t worry. There’re a few ways you can keep it fresh and tasty for later.
One way is to simply refrigerate the tea in an airtight container. This will help keep it from spoiling and maintain its flavour for up to 24 hours.
If you want to store the tea for longer, you can freeze it in ice cube trays. Once the cubes are frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. These tea cubes are perfect for adding a burst of flavour to your water or other beverages.
With these tips, you can enjoy your orange peel tea for longer.
Different Variations of Orange Tea
Now that you know how to make orange tea, let's take it up a notch. There’re plenty of variations you can try to mix things up and tantalize your taste buds. Here are some variations of your basic orange tea recipe:
Spiced Orange Tea: Add cinnamon, cardamom or ginger to your tea for a warm and comforting flavour.
Orange-Mint Tea: Add a few sprigs of fresh mint to your tea for a cool and invigorating taste.
Orange-Chamomile Tea: Brew some chamomile teabags with orange peel for a calming and soothing tea.
Orange-Black Tea: Boil orange peel for a few minutes and then add some black teabags. Usually, adding black tea after 2-5 minutes works best and you get a bold and citrusy flavour.
Orange-Green Tea: Brew some green teabags with the orange peels to make a healthy variant.
Conclusion
Gotta say, orange peel tea is a ripper beverage that's not only tasty but also easy to make at home. With just a few ingredients, you can prepare a refreshing and nourishing drink that’s packed with all kinds of health perks.
Not only does orange tea taste great, but it can also help in shedding kilos, regulate blood sugar levels and give your skin a beauty boost. Its natural citrus flavour is delicate and delightful, making orange tea an excellent way to enjoy the goodness of oranges in a unique and delicious way.
Whether you enjoy it hot or cold, with honey or not, orange tea is a must-try for all tea lovers or health enthusiast.
FAQs On Orange Tea
Q. How long should you boil orange peels?
A. Boiling orange peels for too long can result in a bitter and unpleasant taste. Typically, you should aim to boil orange peels for around 3 minutes. This allows the oils and flavours to infuse into the water without causing a bitter taste.
Q. What is orange tea made of?
A. Orange tea can be made with a variety of ingredients, but the basic orange tea recipe typically includes orange peels, water and sweetener such as honey or sugar. Other common ingredients may include fresh-squeezed orange juice, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods and saffron. Some variations may also incorporate green tea leaves or black tea leaves.
Q. Can you put milk in orange tea?
A. Orange tea is typically brewed using only orange peel, spices and sweeteners; and adding milk may not complement the flavour profile of the orange tea. Additionally, the acidity of the orange tea may curdle the milk, resulting in an unpleasant texture and taste. It’s best to enjoy the orange tea as it is or experiment with other non-dairy milk alternatives such as almond or coconut milk if desired.
Q. Can I drink orange peel tea every day?
A. Yes, you can drink orange peel tea every day, as it’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, which provide numerous health benefits. Having a cup of orange peel tea every morning can help to stimulate your digestive system and enhance nutrient absorption from your diet. Additionally, the tea's high vitamin C content can boost your metabolism and immunity.
