What Is Instant Tea?

A glass of iced tea

Instant tea is a form of tea that is derived from brewed tea. Its dried granulated form can be made into a beverage with the addition of cold or hot water. Instant tea is typically lower in antioxidants than traditional tea and comes in a variety of flavors.

Features

Instant tea may be formulated for use in making either hot or iced tea. It quickly dissolves in water. Some instant teas contain sweeteners.

Types

Instant tea comes in many flavors. Popular instant tea flavors include lemon, cinnamon, fruit juice and other flavorings. Green, black, chai, white and herbal teas are all available in instant form.

Uses

Instant tea may be served with any meal, or it may be enjoyed on its own. In the summer, iced instant tea is often favored over hot tea. In the American South, instant tea may be mixed with other powdered beverages, such as instant lemonade, Tang, spices and other additives, to create a seasonal drink.

Effects

Because of its method of manufacture, instant tea may not be as rich in antioxidants as brewed tea. The level of antioxidants present in an instant tea product should be verifiable by checking the label.

Considerations

Instant tea may not be as high quality as tea made from tea leaves, because the raw materials used to make instant tea do not have as many processing standards applied to them as do loose-leaf or bagged teas.

References

• Epicurious: Food Dictionary: Tea
• Upasi Tea Research Foundation: Tea Byproducts
• Learn About Tea: Healthy Tea Choices: Instant vs. Brewed?

Resources

• Tea Dictionary: Basic Tea Definitions
• Practically Edible: Tea
• The Color of Tea: Facts About Tea