Fresh and Delicious Green Tea Treats Packed with Nutritional Goodness
Potato chips and ice cream can be easy to grab when you’re feeling peckish. But then guilt (and maybe a sugar coma) follows as you stare dismally at the empty container, feeling stuffed and still unsatisfied.
The sugar, salt and artificial ingredients in these processed foods can do serious long-term damage to your body. Here, we offer some healthy snack alternatives using a key ingredient whose medicinal properties have been recognised by Asians for millennia: green tea.
Fragrant and soothing, green tea is loaded with antioxidants that protect against cellular damage. It’s also laden with nutrients, minerals and amino acids that help bolster your immune system, improve brain function, boost metabolism, and lower your risk for chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and even cancer. What’s more, it even tastes delicious!
Lemon Ginger Iced Green Tea
Add six cups of water, 1/3 cup honey, ¼ cup ground ginger, the grated peel of one lemon and its juice to a saucepan and bring to the boil. Next, add three green tea bags and steep for another ten minutes. Thoroughly cool the mixture in the fridge, then add a small amount of it to sparkling water. Top with ice cubes and serve!
Green Tea Yogurt Pops
If there’s one thing all kids love, it’s a popsicle. Give them a healthy alternative by mixing one cup of non-fat yogurt together with one cup of green tea and a quarter cup of fresh lime juice. Add powdered sugar as desired. Pour the mixture into popsicle trays and freeze.
Green Tea-soaked Apples and Pears
Begin by adding orange peel, orange juice, cinnamon, cloves and sugar to boiling green tea. Allow the mixture to steep for five minutes. Dunk apples and pears into the fragrant mixture and allow it to cool. Discard the peels, cinnamon sticks and cloves, and voila – ready to serve.
Japanese Ochazuke
A favourite among the Japanese, this quick snack is made by pouring hot green tea over cooked Japanese rice and sesame seeds, then adding savoury toppings like seaweed or salmon flakes. The bouncy grains soak up the green tea, making every mouthful fragrant, warm and nourishing.
Green Tea Marinade
This tasty marinade can be applied to your favourite kebabs for a blast of antioxidant infused goodness. Steep several green tea bags in hot water and add honey, salt, pepper and your favourite herbs as desired. Smother your kebabs and cook as desired for a healthy and tasty treat.
