5 Cracking Summer Teas to Detox Your Way to Better Health

Tea-riffic Benefits: Discover How Each Cup of Tea Can Boost Your Well-being This Summer 

Hello lovely Chai-buddies and welcome back to another blog!

May is already knocking around the corner. Summer's here, bringing with it the scorching sun and the constant struggle to stay cool and hydrated. If you live in a humid climate, this challenge is indeed tough. Have you noticed an accumulation of Coke cans and bottles in your home recently? Or perhaps you've been indulging in ice-teas? Maybe sodas, mojitos, and lattes are more your style?

Whatever your preference, we at Chai-talkies know that our Chai-buddies love to treat themselves without compromising their health, even when it comes to refreshing summer drinks. So, if you're starting to feel sluggish from all the sugar in your cold beverages and are seeking alternatives, you've found the perfect blog! Prepare to delve into a world of tea-riffic benefits that will have you exclaiming, "Oh, brew-tea-ful!" From the soothing properties of chamomile to the zesty kick of peppermint, these summer teas are here to reveal the secrets of enhancing your well-being. It's time to sip your way to a healthier you while giving your body a cleanse that even Marie Kondo would approve of! So grab your favourite mug, put the kettle on, and let's talk (tea) about how each cuppa can be your new summer fling for wellness and vitality.

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Now, let's get brewing...

1. Ajwain-Saunf Tea (Carom-Fennel Tea)

This digestive-boosting tea is sure to earn gratitude from your stomach, especially when consumed first thing in the morning. It's your go-to remedy for summer bloating, indigestion, and flatulence. If you've caught a summer cold from indulging in too many ice creams, this tea will help you recover quickly. Packed with antioxidants, it also effectively reduces inflammation in your body. So, how do you make it?

Simply steep tea, carom, and fennel seeds (or crushed powders, 1 teaspoon each or to taste) in water and let it cool. Freeze it for at least 2 hours, and voila! Your chilled drink is ready. There's no need to add sugar as fennel seeds have a naturally sweet taste. For an extra burst of flavour, try squeezing half a lemon into your drink. Keep the other half for later - you never know when you might need it!

2. Turmeric-Tulsi Tea

Want smooth, clear, and glowing skin this summer? Want to combat those pimples caused by sweaty clogged pores? Most importantly, want to stay cool and hydrated with a splash of detox? Then you should try this turmeric-tulsi tea. Not only will it cure your summer cough, but it will also boost your immunity and provide a range of health benefits. So, how do you make it?

Brew together tea, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder or half an inch of turmeric rhizome, 4 to 5 tulsi leaves or 1 teaspoon tulsi powder and let it cool. Freeze it for 4 to 5 hours, and your cold tea is ready. Just like the previous recipe, you may squeeze half a lemon. You saved the half, didn't you!

3. Chamomile tea

As temperatures rise, embracing a chilled chamomile tea isn't merely a cool idea; it's a recipe for summer sanity! It will not only help you cool down faster than an ice cube on hot pavement, but it will also keep those pesky summer sleep struggles at bay. Say goodbye to restless nights – chilled chamomile tea is here to rescue your sleep! Chamomile is known as a night tea, thanks to its sleep-enhancing properties. It relaxes, and calms. It is a digestive booster, ensuring your stomach feels great. It's also an immunity booster. So forget counting sheep and sip your way to dreamland with this refreshing elixir that's cooler than the other side of the pillow. How to make it? 

You need freshly harvested chamomile flowers or you can purchase dried ones from your nearest or most convenient store. Or you can get this from here and help me earn few bucks on commissions too!

Available on Amazon!

Bring water to a boil in a pot or kettle. Place the chamomile flowers in a teapot or heatproof container. Pour the boiling water over the flowers, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the teapot or container with a lid or plate to trap the steam and essential oils. Let the flowers steep in the hot water for about 5-10 minutes, depending on your desired strength of tea. After steeping, strain the tea to remove the flowers. You can use a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or tea infuser. Then, let it cool down, and put it into the freezer for a couple of hours. And your chilled Chamomile tea is ready! Chamomile has a sweet grassy aroma. So, you may not need sugar at all. Optionally though, you can add honey, lemon, or a slice of fresh ginger for additional flavour.

4. Peppermint Tea

This is a naturally sweet, minty-flavoured, caffeine-free ingredient for your tea in summer. And pretty much throughout the year as it is loaded with health benefits! It can free you off your worry about a bad breathe as it can kill germs that cause dental plague and leaves the mouth fresh. It has properties to cure cold and relieve clogged sinuses. Your tummy will love it for peppermint is a digestion booster. Like Chamomile it too acts a a sedative causing you to relax and feel calm while improving your sleep. People with migraines report lowered headaches post the ingestion of peppermint tea. It also boosts energy. With all these benefits and more Peppermint tea can be your best shield against heat waves in summer and summer ailments like sunburn, nausea and headaches. So, how to make it?

Bring water to a boil in a pot or kettle. Use filtered water for the best taste. Place the fresh or dried peppermint leaves in a teapot, heatproof pitcher, or directly into a mug. You can get them from your nearest or most convenient store. Or you can buy it from here. I will earn some commissions on it too!

Available on Amazon

Once the water has reached a rolling boil, pour it over the peppermint leaves. Cover the teapot or mug with a lid or saucer to trap the steam and essential oils. Let the peppermint leaves steep in the hot water for about 5-10 minutes, depending on your desired strength of tea. Longer steeping times will result in a stronger flavour. After steeping, strain the peppermint tea to remove the leaves. You can use a fine mesh strainer, tea infuser, or simply pour the tea through a sieve. Then let it cool down, after which put it into the freezer for couple of hours. And your peppermint tea is ready. You may enjoy it as it is, or by adding ice cubes to it to make it extra chill. Optionally, you can add honey, lemon, or a slice of fresh ginger for additional flavour.

5. Watermelon iced tea

Incorporating juicy fruits like watermelon into your tea is a brilliant way to stay refreshed and hydrated during the summer months. Not only does it provide a burst of flavour, but it also offers a multitude of health benefits.

Watermelon, being low in calories and packed with nutrients, is an excellent choice for satisfying thirst and hunger without adding extra calories to your diet. It's also a natural source of electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, essential for maintaining hydration and supporting muscle and nerve function. Furthermore, the lycopene found in watermelon has been linked to various heart health benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and improving heart function. Additionally, its rich dietary fibre content aids in digestion and promotes regular bowel movements, while the natural sugars and electrolytes help prevent dehydration and maintain electrolyte balance in the body. And let's not forget about the immune-boosting vitamin C content!

So, ready to try this healthy and refreshing concoction? Here's how to make it.

Boil water in a pot or kettle and add tea leaves to your desired strength. While the tea is brewing, scoop out watermelon flesh from freshly bought watermelons and remove the seeds. Don't discard the seeds - they can be used in various ways later on. In a blender, puree the watermelon cubes until smooth. You can strain the puree for a smoother texture, but it's not necessary. Transfer the watermelon puree to the freezer to chill. Once the tea has cooled, add the chilled watermelon puree to the tea and mix well. If you're patient enough, you can refrigerate the tea for a while longer to enhance the chilling effect. Finally, add ice cubes to the tea and enjoy this refreshing and nutritious summer beverage!

With its combination of hydrating watermelon and flavourful tea, this drink is sure to become your new favourite summer thirst-quencher. 

So, dear Chai-buddies, here are your tea-rrific tea recipes that are perfect for beating the summer heat while promoting your overall well-being. From the digestive-boosting Ajwain-saunf tea to the refreshing Turmeric-Tulsi tea to the off-beat watermelon iced tea, each recipe offers a unique blend of flavours and health benefits that your taste buds and body will thank you for. So, why not give them a try and embark on a journey of delicious hydration and detoxification this summer? 

I hope you enjoyed this blog. You can send me your lovely messages here at hello.chaitalkies@gmail.com.

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I will be back with another blog. Until next time - Here's to staying cool, hydrated, and healthy! Cheers!