Nothing is better than waking up on a chilly weekend morning and starting the day with a cup of warm tea. Apple cinnamon meets energy-boosting black tea in this recipe that's sure to become a holiday favorite quickly.
Most of us drink a caffeinated beverage, like coffee or day to kickstart the day. If you're looking to switch up your routine, try apple tea, which combines caffeine with nutrient-packed apples.
Spiced apple tea is one of the best tasting teas and a personal favorite, between the smooth black tea leaves, warm cinnamon, and subtle sweetness of the best fall fruit.
Using real fruit, like apples, in a cold season tea is a fantastic way to boost your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.
Apple contains essential minerals and vitamins, like vitamin C, which we can lack in the winter months when not many fresh fruits are in season. Black tea contains antioxidants, which can help break down free radicals and prevent disease in the body.
This recipe is beyond simple to make, and you can easily adjust the ingredients to enjoy this apple tea spiced precisely how you like it!
How to Make Apple Tea
Ingredients
- 3 cups filtered water
- ½ medium-sized apple, or ½ cup apple, minced
- 1-inch cinnamon stick, or ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½-inch piece fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 whole peppercorns, or a dash of ground black pepper
- ½ tsp tea powder
- Pure maple syrup, to taste
Cooking directions
- Place a deep pot on the stovetop. Add in all ingredients except apples and sweetener, if using.
- Boil the mixture until the liquid reduces by ⅓, to approximately 2 cups.
- While the tea brews, prepare your apples. Gently wash them with a brush in warm water with a dash of lemon juice. Using an apple peeler, peel your apples and mince.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Add in your apple and cover with a lid. You can add in the peels for an extra hit of nutrition or leave them out.
- Leave the covered pot to sit for 5 minutes.
- Strain the apples out of the liquid, and add in the sweetener of your choice.
Apple Cinnamon Tea FAQ
Does apple tea help to lose weight?
Some apple tea benefits could promote weight loss. The black tea powder contains caffeine, which can boost your metabolism. The effects of caffeine aren't strong enough to make you lose weight on their own, but they can aid weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Why is apple tea good for you?
Apple tea is full of antioxidants from the black tea content, namely a flavonoid called catechin. In our bodies, catechins help combat free radicals and prevent cell damage. They also help to regulate blood pressure, protect the brain from disease, and increase metabolism.
There are loads of nutrients in apple tea, including magnesium, vitamin C, potassium, and sodium, to name a few.
Should I peel the apples beforehand?
Yes, it would be best if you peeled your apples before you make your tea. The peels contain much of the apple's nutrients, so you can choose to add some back into the tea to maximize your dose of vitamins and minerals.
Does apple tea contain caffeine?
Our apple tea recipe contains approximately 35 mg of caffeine in the entire batch. If you prefer a caffeine-free tea, omit the tea powder from your recipe.
If you want to up the caffeine content, add in extra black tea powder. Each ½ tsp of powder contains 35 mg of caffeine.
Can I substitute other teas for the tea powder?
Yes! We used black tea powder, but you can also use loose black tea leaves or two bags of black tea to make your apple tea if you prefer. The tea gets strained before serving, so don't worry about tea leaves in your cup.
Green and matcha would be delicious options. For a caffeine-free alternative, rooibos or fruity herbal teas can add depth to the flavor without the jolt.
Can I reheat apple tea?
Yes! This is one of our favorite hot tea recipes because it's so easy to make in batches. We usually double the recipe, make a big pot, and store it in the fridge for a few days. Wait, and add in your sweetener to each cup individually when it's ready to drink.
When it comes time to reheat your tea, you can warm it up on the stovetop or microwave until it's piping hot.
Can I substitute sweetener?
Maple syrup is my favorite sweetener, but you can use any sweetener you like for this tea. Honey, agave, or raw sugar would be delicious. If you want a sugar-free alternative, try stevia or Splenda.
You can also omit the sweetener altogether if you prefer unsweetened tea. The apple adds a bit of subtle sweetness on its own, too.
Can I make this apple tea iced?
If you're looking for a cold beverage, this tea is delicious on ice.
To enjoy your apple tea iced, boil as usual and leave the tea to cool. Wait until the tea is entirely cooled before you add ice. Warm or hot tea melts the ice faster and will water down your drink.
You could make a concentrated version of this tea by doubling all of the ingredients except water if you'd like a stronger tasting iced apple tea.
Final Word: Enjoy Apple Cinnamon Tea Benefits for Yourself
Apple cinnamon tea is not only delicious, but those extra vitamins and minerals will keep you healthy over the long cold winter as well!
Between the hit of antioxidants and its metabolism-boosting effects, drinking a few cups of apple tea each week can help you keep your health in tip-top shape.
Have fun playing with the ingredient list. Try adding in some other fruit depending on what's available – peach tea on ice would be delicious on a warm day at the peak of peach season. Do whatever you can to make this healthy tea a habit for you in wintertime – and the whole year round!