I love summer and try to be outside as much as possible working in my garden, taking the laptop out on the patio, and the best part, hanging out with neighbors, friend and family. Having a glass of refreshing, cooling and hydrating Sweet Peach Iced Tea take the edge off the heat and welcomes a chance to refresh.
Be Happy
Tea has a long history of being a happy, welcoming beverage from ancient to modern times. In last week’s podcast episode of Libby’s Luncheonette which originally aired June 29, 2020 on WCHE1520AM, Jackey, the owner of TranquiliTea Temple, and I discussed China’s long-celebrated tea ceremonies. I thought the formality of the practice was going to be serious, it turns out tea ceremonies are seriously for getting away from the life’s stresses. When you drink tea, you have to be happy. No worrying allowed!
And, in Morocco minted tea is served as a friendly, welcoming part of almost every social gathering.
In the United States, my favorite time for iced teas is in the peak of heat on hot summer afternoon. More often than not, I’ll sip iced tea at the patio table while working on my laptop. But iced tea is extra special when a neighbor or friend comes by and I get to take a break, relax and refresh.
Hydrate Your Body
It’s summer; and it’s hot. This means getting enough fluids is that much more important. I’m always looking for a flavorful way to stay hydrated.
I love the addition of sweet peaches to my iced tea. In season, Sweet Peach Iced Tea brings together two thing I enjoy separately, but even more together. And getting this taste of sweetness doesn’t need a lot of added sugar.
Sipping fluids and eating juicy fruits and vegetables refreshes and energizes my day. But did you know that drinking Sweet Peach Iced Tea may be refreshing our bodies on a molecular level too?
Refresh Your Free Radicals
“Refresh your free radicals” sounds funny because I’m always looking for ways to get rid of these potentially problematic molecules. Free radicals are occurring in our bodies all the time. And, because these molecules have an unstable number of electrons, they can create instability with other molecules which can open the door to inflammation and disease. So yeah, you do want to get rid of them!
It turns out when we eat, and drink, foods with antioxidants, these do-gooder compounds, are able to donate an electron reestablishing balance. It’s almost as if the free-radical molecule gets “refreshed” to stable.
In addition to being a moderate source of vitamin A and C—both antioxidants, peaches also contain flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants including lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin. And teas, especially green tea, have antioxidant polyphenols. But brew your own. Processing for bottled tea, powders and decaffeinated tea can destroy some of the polyphenols.
The antioxidants in peaches and tea can help promote healthy skin and aids in the recovery from sun exposure, working out and other oxidative stressors. Antioxidants in Sweet Peach Iced Tea may also reduce the risk of heart disease.
Now that makes me happy.
Tea Trivia and Tips
I was surprised to learn that black, green and oolong teas are all from the same Camellia sinensis plant. But I wasn’t surprised that they are equally good in the Sweet Peach Iced Tea.
To me, the best tea is fresh brewed or at least drunk the day it’s made. I like to make a full batch of Sweet Peach Iced Tea so I have enough to share. So, there aren’t usually leftovers. But you can keep brewed tea three or four days refrigerated in an opaque airtight container. Keep it longer and the flavor will become “off”. Storing the tea already mixed with the Peach Syrup won’t last as long and could wind up fermenting.
Hmmm…could be a home brewing project, but I’m going to pass on that one.
For this reason, if the gang’s around, I’ll add the syrup to the pitcher of the tea. But if it’s just me, I’ll make each glass of tea to order.
I can’t wait for you to try this Sweet Peach Tea. It will always refresh the busiest and hottest of afternoons, hydrates that body and helps reset free-radical imbalances. Serve cold over good conversation.
Sweet Peach Tea Syrup
Makes approximately 6 5-ounce servings
Prep time: 4 minutes
Cook time: 7 minutes
Cool time: 3-4 minutes
Total time: 14-15 minutes
Thank you Jee, certified Tea Sommelier of OhHowCivilized.com, for the original recipe and delicious inspiration.
What you’ll need:
Tea
- 4 cups ice
- 2 cups of cooled tea made with 3 sachets of Green, Earl of Gray or black tea and filtered or bottled water
- 1 peach for sliced garnish
- A few garnishing sprigs of lavender
Peach Syrup
- 5 cups water
- 5 cups peaches
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Steps to make:
Peach Syrup
- Dice peaches.
- Blend with water.
- Transfer the pureed peaches into a small saucepan.Add the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Place the strainer over a wide-mouthed jar.If the strainer is larger than the mouth of the jar, place a funnel into the mouth of the jar before the strainer. Pour the syrup through the mesh strainer to remove the solids. Save the solids to stir into yogurt or spread on toast
- Let the syrup cool.
Sweet Peach Iced Tea
- Pour the cooled syrup into the cooled tea.
- Thinly slice the peach that you will use for garnishing.
- Fill each glass with ice and 2-3 slices of peach.Garnish with a sprig of lavender.
- Keep remaining tea in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Per Glass: 48 calories; 0g protein; 12.5g carbohydrates; 0.1g fiber; 11.7g added sugar; 0.1g total fat; 0g saturated fat; 0g monounsaturated fat; 0g polyunsaturated fat; 0mg cholesterol; 3.8mg sodium