Does green tea taste bitter to you but sugar is off-limits? You don’t have to use unhealthy ways to sweeten your tea anymore.
With the spread of more information and awareness, people are learning about the damages of sugar on the body and looking for substitutes.
But most of us don’t know that how to make your green tea taste better with the natural ways while staying healthy and fit.
So, here we are presenting 21 sugar alternatives to sweeten green tea.
21 Ways to Sweeten Green Tea Naturally
Now you can save yourself from the negative effects of sugar in green tea by replacing it with one of these substitutes.
1) Molasses
Molasses will surely overcome the taste of your tea and sweeten green tea without sugar.
- It is known to be a rich source of iron and stronger than most sweeteners.
- A tablespoon of molasses may be enough of the daily recommended dose of iron.
- So, it’s a good remedy for anemic people they can increase their iron levels while benefitting from a cup of green tea.
- A two-in-one combo. Sounds great.
2) Rock Sugar
The history of rock sugar goes back to the Ming Dynasty just like the history of green tea.
- This can be a good alternative if you want the original taste of green tea but with a touch of sweetness.
- Rock sugar is a crystallized raw sugar.
- It will act as a mild natural sugar.
3) Honey
When you are out of sugar the first thing easily available at home is honey.
- Honey in green tea adds a sweet flavor to your tea and a lot more benefits.
- A teaspoon of sugar contains 20 calories.
- So, adding honey to your tea is a natural way to sweeten it.
- The antibacterial properties of honey will eliminate toxins in your body and clear your skin while fading the signs of aging.
- Any kind of honey raw, organic, or processed will go with your green tea.
4) Stevia
Stevia is produced from a plant called stevia Rebaudiana plant.
- It is mostly available in South America. This can be a healthy alternative sweetener for sugar.
- Stevia is available in refined and unrefined form.
- The un-refined one will benefit you by keeping your blood sugar lower, blood pressure in check and thus reduce the risk of diabetes.
- It enhances the flavor of green tea. If you have sweet tooth stevia can be one of the sweetest options for you.
5) Maple Syrup
Maple syrup can reduce the risk of cancer and its cells from developing.
- Organic maple syrup is a healthy way to make your tea sweet.
- This option is lower in calories and full of minerals.
- You may need to get adjusted to the taste of it in your green tea, but rest assured it will change the flavor of your bitter tea in a good way.
6) Cinnamon Sticks
Cinnamon is one of the special spices more common in the Asian part of the world. These are the bark of a tree that is cut into sticks.
- Using fresh cinnamon sticks in your green tea will produce its own unique sweet and spicy flavor.
- Brew the cinnamon in the water first and add green tea to steep for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Take the stick out when green tea is steeped. Remember not to over brew it or it can turn spicy.
7) Condense Milk
If you want your tea to be the sweetest, condensed milk is your go-to option.
- Don’t worry it will give you the sweetest flavor.
- It can best be used in matcha green tea recipes.
- It will overcome the bitterness of your tea and give it a wonderful new taste.
8) Add Honeysuckle Flowers
Honeysuckles are a type of flower that is commonly grown and easily available. Honeybees love these flowers due to their sweet taste.
- When added to the brew it will sweeten green tea without sugar.
- It gives a flowery aftertaste. The nectar of these flowers is sweet and blends well with most of the teas.
- This is a natural sweetener that you will surely love.
9) Vanilla Pods
Vanilla is a flavor beloved by most of us.
- It is used as a sweetener in baking, ice-creams, and cakes for a long time.
- Vanilla pods will give great taste to the brew.
- These can be easily brewed with green tea.
- One pod will give flavor to the whole pot. To use it or not depends upon your taste preference.
10) Coconut Sugar
Yes, it’s a thing just like brown sugar.
- Coconut sugar is as sweet as a regular one but with added benefits.
- It will make your tea taste sweet and provide a great alternative.
11) Dates Sugar
It may be uncommon but you can find it easily online.
- Dates sugar has a butterscotch flavor.
- It will sweeten your green tea with natural sugars.
12) Agave Nectar
This one tastes like honey and molasses.
- Agave Nectar comes from the blue agave plant.
- The fluid inside it gives the syrup of agave nectar.
- This plant is used to make tequila.
- The syrup will go well with your tea and surely make it sweeter.
13) Mint
This one is used for ages.
- All the mint flavors provide a unique taste to the teas.
- Peppermint, spearmint all can be used to overcome the taste of green tea.
- This will improve digestion and enhance the taste.
14) Whiskey
Whiskey can help make your tea taste bearable and sweeten green tea without sugar.
- It will cure the common flu and cold too.
- Choose this option once in a while.
- If you feel like feeling down with flu and cold, brew some green tea and whisky and drink it for medicinal use.
15) Sweet Herbs
Adding sweet herbs is a fantastic idea to your green tea brew. They will adequately sweeten your tea. The herbs also provide many benefits for the body and build your immune system to be stronger. Some of the sweet herbs are mentioned below.
- Lemongrass
- Licorice root
- Honeybush
- Hibiscus flower
- Citrus peels
- Lemon verbena
16) Sugar Alcohol
Few kinds of sweeteners are produced from sugar alcohol.
- Sugar alcohols are natural sweeteners with low calories.
- These are processed and fermented to make sweeteners, some of them are xylitol, sorbitol, and erythritol.
- Most of these can be found in gum and toothpaste and these can be used to prevent cavities and staining of teeth.
17) Lemon
Lemon may not directly make your green tea sweet but it will cut the astringent taste of the tea and give it a wonderful flavor.
- The vitamin C in lemon will provide you with many benefits. This is good for skin and hair care.
- Dash a slice of lemon in your green tea and you are good to go.
- Green Iced tea can also use lemon in the recipe, this will make it taste delicious.
18) Mix With Other Teas
So, if nothing else works you can mix your green tea with other types of teas.
- This will balance the bitterness of green tea and makes it taste better.
- Some teas that will sweeten your green tea are white tea, chamomile tea, rooibos tea, and all fruit teas.
19) Coconut Water
A refreshing option!
- This can serve two purposes; you can add it to your green tea in the end to give it a sweet touch.
- Secondly, it can be added to iced tea to make it thick, sweet, and velvety.
- Coconut water comes with its own set of benefits.
- It is full of antioxidants and electrolytes. Note that it will just add flavor to your green tea, don’t expect it to become exceptionally sweet.
- Coconut water is a low-calorie drink and one of the great options out there.
20) Fruits & Extracts
Why didn’t think of this one before?
- The more natural sugars are in fruits.
- Fruits can be used as purees, extracts, or dried to add to the brews.
- These give sweet and fruity flavor to green tea, especially iced teas.
- Strawberries and peach are the most common fruits that go well with the taste of green tea.
21) Ground Cocoa Shells
We all know about cocoa butter.
- Cocoa shells come from the cocoa seeds.
- These seeds are pressed to extract the butter and the shells are left behind.
- You can grind these shells to make a powder.
- Make sure not to grind too much that it turns into a fine cocoa powder, else it will be difficult to brew.
- These will give you a sweet cocoa flavor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you don’t have to leave the green tea if you have reservations about its taste. Sugar is damaging to health.
So, the substitutes we gave you will make your drink more beneficial while making them taste better. Choose according to your preference and availability. Happy switching to a healthier lifestyle.
