HEALTH
What are the benefits of pineapple tea? Homemade recipe
Feeling like a new drink that brings with it a wealth of nutritional gains? Why not try this tropical flavour.
You’ll have heard plenty of positive health stories about green tea, black tea, white tea and herbal tea. You may even have come across variations like oolong tea. But have you ever thought about a more tropical option? Welcome to a potential new world enjoying pineapple tea...
What is pineapple tea and what are its health benefits?
Pineapple tea is a type of herbal tea made by infusing pineapple fruit or its leaves in hot water. As you are no doubt aware, pineapple -- or ananas comosus to give it its latin name -- is a tropical fruit that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The tea is known for its sweet and tangy flavour and is often consumed for its health benefits.
The reason behind much of this body boost is due to the presence of bromelain, a digestive enzyme found in pineapples. Bromelain is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has been studied for its potential to reduce swelling and inflammation in various parts of the body. Drinking pineapple tea may also help improve your digestion and alleviate digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, and indigestion. The tea is also a good source of vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system and promote healthy skin.
As with any herbal tea, it’s always a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider before adding pineapple tea to your diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
How can I make pineapple tea?
As you can probably imagine, making the concept of pineapple tea a reality is rather a simple task. Follow these steps and get ready for a new experience...
First up, the ingredients (clearly you can up the quantities if more is required):
- 4 cups of water
- 2 cups of fresh or canned pineapple chunks
- 2-3 teaspoons of honey (optional, but a tasty addition)
The simple instructions:
- In a large saucepan, bring the 4 cups of water to a boil.
- Add your 2 cups of pineapple chunks to the boiling water.
- Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
- Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the pineapple chunks from the tea mixture.
- Taste the tea and add 2-3 teaspoons of honey, if desired. I always do!
- Serve the pineapple tea warm or chilled. Yes, it can be a refreshing drink no matter the weather. Ice it up in the peak of summer!
Of course, other more elaborate recipes can also be found with a simple search around the web.
Note that you can also make pineapple tea using pineapple tea bags or loose tea leaves. Simply steep the tea bags or tea leaves in hot water for a few minutes, strain, and sweeten with honey or another sweetener of your choice, if you fancy.
Now, where’s my kettle?