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Healthy Green Tea Soda


Now, you don't have to pay high prices in health food stores for this delicious treat. Learn to make it yourself at home, and lose the sugar, high fructose corn syrup and other nasties!

And as any good, true Englishman will tell you, the secret to making the best cup of tea is to have the water absolutely boiling when you pour it on the tea bag.

Healthy Green Tea Soda
(Prepare in advance, as it will steep in fridge for about an hour before serving)
Serves 4

You'll need:

  • 2 green tea teabags
  • 2 cups (1 pint) boiling water
  • Pint-sized Pyrex measuring cup or heat-proof jar
  • 1 tsp. raw, organic honey (optional)
  • 2 cups total Natural Sparkling mineral water (½ glass per serving tea)

Preparation:

  1. Place tea bags in Pyrex measuring cup or heat-proof jar.
  2. Pour 2 cups boiling water over teabags.
  3. Add 1 tsp. raw, organic honey if desired, and stir.
  4. Place tea in fridge for about 1 hour to cool.
  5. Once cooled down, remove tea from fridge.
  6. For each serving, pour half a glass of tea into tall ice-tea glass.
  7. Pour half a glass of sparkling mineral water into each tea.

There you go! Let the fizzy magic begin! A very, very tasty, alternative to soda. Enjoy!





 
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Comment on This Article Community Comments (86)
 
 
Posted On Apr 12, 2007
SO HOW DO YOU KNOW OR FIND OUT IF THE GREEN TEA THAT YOU HAVE PURCHASED AND DRINKING HAS A HIGH FLUORIDE CONTENT OR NOT???

I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO FIND THIS OUT?!


 
-Whats In Itx-
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 6/2006
-Whats In Itx-  
Replied

Witch Doctor
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 9/2006
Witch Doctor  
 
Posted On Apr 13, 2007
What's in it (fluoride - that's what!) - you'll never know for sure how high the fluoride content is.  Even if they say it is low, unless the amount  of fluoride or a guaranteed range is on the label, you have no idea if it is in fact controlled.  Rotate brands, or drink white and black tea, too.  Practical ways lke this will help to ensure you don't have the bad luck of using one bad actor in perpetuity.  That's my approach to things that I can't control.

I do believe it is an issue in Japan - contrary to what one person said.  Pregnant woman are advised not to drink too much tea for fear of taking in too much fluoride (and caffeine).  The amounts in the table below are considerable.  Duane

Fluoride Content of Teas (13)
Type of Tea
Fluoride (mg/liter)* Fluoride (mg/8 ounces)
Green 1.2-1.7 0.3-0.4
Oolong 0.6-1.0 0.1-0.2
Black 1.0-1.9 0.2-0.5
Brick tea 2.2-7.3 0.5-1.7

*Fluoride in 1% w/v tea prepared by continuous infusion from 5-360 minutes

13. Fung KF, Zhang ZQ, Wong JWC, Wong MH. Fluoride contents in tea and soil from tea plantations and the release of fluoride into tea liquor during infusion. Environmental Pollution. 1999;104(2):197-205.



Patri
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 3/2007
Patri  
 
Posted On Apr 14, 2007
Thanks for this, Duane.  I had no idea.  I think I will pay more attention to my rooibus and other herbal infusions.


Aaron_203
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Aaron_203  
 
Posted On Apr 14, 2007
Thanks duane. That is great info!

Has anyone else had their posts deleted? I had one deleted yesterday and I'm not sure why. I just wanted some clarification.

Just curious.

 
 
 
Posted On Apr 11, 2007
WONDERFUL...mark this video, it IS the beginning of the end to Cadbury Schweppes, Pepsico and Coca-Cola, let alone PHONY and BAD FOR YOU brands like Pepsi's Snapple Green Tea, or Coke/Nestle's Enviga. 

Note how little effort it was to make a wholesome and good for you beverage, at pennies on the dollar!

 
Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
Replied

John R
Novice User Novice User Joined On 2/2007
John R  
 
Posted On Apr 12, 2007
"Cadbury Schweppes, Pepsico and Coca-Cola, let alone PHONY and BAD FOR YOU brands like Pepsi's Snapple Green Tea, or Coke/Nestle's Enviga."

McDonald's doesnt sell hamburgers and neither do these guys. They sell convenience. Sure anyone can make a better hamburger than McD's but can you have it done faster? Can you have the burger made while your on your way to work? Can you make this green tea soda while your away from home? at work?  in the car?

I'm sure its better, but it won't be the begining of the end to convenience producers.




Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
 
Posted On Apr 12, 2007
You are correct John R, we should thank McD's, and junk food/soda producers for cleaning up the gene pool, and triaging the less knowledgeable into an early painful death, at the expense, per health care costs, to those of us stupid enough to maintain good health and live an optimum existence longer.

Such logic John R is right out of 'Thank You For Smoking' (book and movie by Christo Buckley)....I say this in jest.

How STUPID of me to think people might want to live longer and healthier, I need to enter a 12 step back to addiction program: "immediately, if not sooner"!

Who am I to take profits away from DEATH MERCHANTS? 

How selfish of me to wreck the mutiplier effect on the economy.

Do you think John R, I can get some energy tax credits also, at convenenient McD's?... so I can be just like Al Gore in green smugness (and girth) though minus a majority popular vote in a general election?

;-)

Uncle Russ



Tamra
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2006
Tamra  
 
Posted On Apr 16, 2007
 I understand that the "fizzy" part of this so called healthy alternative,  really isn't that healthy.  Isn't it one of the reasons why soda isn't good for you period?  The bicarbonate prevents digestion of food and absorbtion of nutrients. 

 
 
 
Posted On Apr 12, 2007
As seaweed pointed out, green tea contains fluoride, the most reactive and probably the most carcinogenic compound known to man, so why promote green tea on a health food site?

 
steve.m
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 3/2007
steve.m  
Replied

Dr. Mercola
Master User Master User Joined On 12/1997
Dr. Mercola  
 
Posted On Apr 12, 2007
Fluoride content of green tea varies widely and it is NO way shape or form the same type of fluoride that is added to municipal water supplies.  The fluoride content in green teas varies widely depending on the soil it is grown in.  Green tea has been consumed for centuries in Asia and has many associated benefits due to its high polyphenolic content.

If anyone is still concerned about green tea they can easily substitute another type of tea as it is the creative idea that is being presented here NOT the actual tea.


Patri
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 3/2007
Patri  
 
Posted On Apr 12, 2007
I didn't even know that there was an 'issue' about floride in green tea - or any tea for that matter.  Thanks for clarifying this Dr. Mercola!


Robert Pinsky
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2006
Robert Pinsky  
 
Posted On Apr 12, 2007
 I have been consuming Organic White Tea because my understanding is that White Tea has more antioxidants then Green Tea and also it has less Floride.   Does anybody know if this is true?

Thanks,
Robert


Michigan Mom
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Michigan Mom  
 
Posted On Apr 12, 2007
Robert, 

I have been drinking white tea for the same reasons. It is younger than than green tea and supposedly had less flouride and less caffiene, but I I'm not sure if that's really true or not.


Rhino
Novice User Novice User Joined On 4/2007
Rhino  
 
Posted On Apr 13, 2007
Doc, I saw your comment regarding fizzy water damaging bones, etc. The dissolved Co2 makes carbonic acid which the body must buffer. Normal blood ph should be 7.41. Soda Pop is carbonated and frequently has phosphoric acid added. It gives the drink a "sharper" taste and reduced mold growth in a very sugary environment. Phosphoric acid is used to etch silicon wafers during the manufacture of computer chips.Soda has a ph around 2.2. Granted, soda may have a lower ph. If sparkling water has carbonic acid in it, doesn't the body need to buffer it? When dietary sources of alkalizing minerals are exhausted, from where do they come? To neutralize 1 can of soda 8 gallons of water is needed we have 9.7g in our bodies. Drink up hearties, yo-ho!


rasander
Novice User Novice User Joined On 12/2006
rasander  
 
Posted On Apr 13, 2007
Dr. Mercola makes a wonderful point about the differing levels of fluoride in tea.  I personally use organic green tea, which hopefully has less fluoride than conventional teas. 
I would also like to comment about this recipe.  Luci, I love your ingenuity with recipes!  However, I would recommend using 180 degree Fahrenheit water instead of boiling for green, mainly because the green tea will become bitter if the temperature is too hot. 
Also, I would try using loose leaf tea-once you try it, you never go back!  It's relatively cheap to equip yourself with a tea infuser. 
Finally, depending on the type of green tea, your brewing time will vary.  Here are some good articles about the art of tea brewing:

http://www.o-cha.com/brew.htm

http://www.japanesegreenteaonline.com/brewing.htm


Witch Doctor
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 9/2006
Witch Doctor  
 
Posted On Apr 13, 2007
Rhino - Glutamine, which makes up about 60% of free amino acids in the serum, does the major buffering.  Read up on it.  Also read CathVM's comments on the buffering provided by the obligatory act of breathing.  And Sean's comments on buffering properties of fat.  And besides potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium, also phosphorous (CathyVM pointed out), found in meats and milk, provide buffering.   It's not as dire as many paint it to be.  The more I look into the actual research on the physiology of the matter, the less concerned I become about the acid-base balance theory of eating/drinking.  If a person gets plenty of glutamine (protein), fat, phosphorous, calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium - i.e if they get enough meat and dairy, their buffering will be robust as the rest of their health.  Vegetarians may have something to worry about...  Just my opinion.  Duane

 
 
 
Posted On Apr 11, 2007
Excellent recipe!  I would suggest the following tweak to Luci's procedure.  Green tea should not be steeped for more than 3 minutes.  The balance of flavor is best when steeped between 1-3 minutes.  Any longer steeping time will allow more fluoride to leach out and more tannins(the compound that makes tea bitter) to release.   Also, i would wait a few minutes for the tea to cool before putting raw honey in, otherwise, the honey will no longer be "raw".  Cool to below 118F. 


 
seaweed
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
seaweed  
Replied

MollyM
Novice User Novice User Joined On 12/2006
MollyM  
 
Posted On Apr 12, 2007
I am a bit confused by Dr. Mercola's comments regarding fluoride content in green tea.  There is a product on Mercola.com called Body Ecology Green Tea Extract which he promotes particularly because of the fact that it is virtually fluoride as well as aluminum free.  In the description of this product he states that he has always limited his consumption of tea due to the possible high fluoride/aluminum content and states that most green teas contain an excess amount.  He seems to indicate in this description that it would be best to steer clear of these teas as one has no idea just how high the fluoride/aluminum content is in any given brand, etc.   He states "All teas are not created equal and some are processed in a way that may do your body more harm than good."  I believe I have read that fluoride is also present in other teas but it appears the highest levels are found in green tea today. 


Tommys Mommy
Novice User Novice User Joined On 4/2007
Tommys Mommy  
 
Posted On Apr 14, 2007
Excellent Advise! Kudoos for you for reminding us of the obvious that is sometime forgotten. Thanks

 
 
 
Posted On Apr 12, 2007
Sounds like a good idea, and I like the way Lucy presented it. However, making a good cup of green tea is much different from English tea. First, the water should not be boiling. In fact, most people here in Japan put a little cool water on the tea leaves before adding the hot water so as to not "shock" the leaves. Another alternative is to let the hot water cool for a minute or so before using it. Also, don't let it steap for more than a minute or so. This will give you a nice green color and an aromatic tea. And of coure, tea leaves work better than bags, if you can find loose green tea. I will definitely make Lucy's green tea soda this summer!

 
Auntie LinLin
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 4/2007
Auntie LinLin  
Replied

Pat Ormsby
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Pat Ormsby  
 
Posted On Apr 12, 2007
(Waving from base of Mt. Fuji) Glad to see you here, Auntie! Do you know if anyone has tested green tea in Japan for fluorides? I would love to feel free to drink it more often.


emm76
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 7/2006
emm76  
 
Posted On Apr 12, 2007
In our home, we drink lots of Yerba Mate.  We purchase it loose and brew it in the coffee maker (instead of coffee) and it comes out perfect.  With Mate, you, too, have to put some cool water on the leaves so they are not "shocked" when the hot water hits the leaves.  To my understanding, this is the best way to get the most nutrients out of the leaves.  If the water is too hot for too long it will totally wipe out the good stuff and leave you with flavored water.
This recipe sounds great with any tea.  And as far as the plastic water warmer goes, most of those do not have a plastic liner, they are either stainless or porcelian/glass on the inside.  Or at least the ones I have seen are.

Thanks Lucy for another great recipe!


Witch Doctor
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 9/2006
Witch Doctor  
 
Posted On Apr 13, 2007
emm76 - you must be a wild man! I had Yerba Mate at a coffee/tea shop.  A couple hours later, I thought I was superman - I would have sworn I could rum a 10 sec hundred yard dash.  The feeling went on for hours.  I could have been taken by the police to a psych ward and diagnosed Bipolar Type 1 on a manic phase!  Never again.  Too much of a good thing.  I bought some but it sits, ready for life saving emergency.  Duane


Witch Doctor
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 9/2006
Witch Doctor  
 
Posted On Apr 13, 2007
Pat - Hi.  Haven't talked in awhile.  I've put fluoride contents for some tea types in a response to "what's-in-it" above (or below).  They are substantial.  Duane


Pat Ormsby
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Pat Ormsby  
 
Posted On Apr 18, 2007
Thank you, Duane! Yes, I noticed your post. Way up at the top, where it should be ;-)


SavedbyHisGrace
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 2/2007
SavedbyHisGrace  
 
Posted On Apr 25, 2007
I appreciate all the comments especially on the way to prepare green tea.  I would be delighted to be able to drink it for its taste as well as its great health benefits; however, every time my husband and I do, we become constipated!  Has anyone else had this problem?

No doubt it's because of its astringent properties--even when adding water that's only been heated to 180 degrees.  Do any of you have any suggestions for us so that we might be able to enjoy green tea????

Many thanks to any who take the time to reply.

Laura

 
 
 
 
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