The Best Type Of Fruit To Use When Infusing Black Tea

Infusing black tea with fruit is a simple yet effective way to elevate its taste and add a unique twist to your tea-drinking experience. By combining the robust flavor of black tea with the natural sweetness of fruit, you create a beverage that is both flavorful and refreshing. When selecting a fruit for your infusion, go for one that's particularly sweet and has a strong taste. The trick is to choose a fruit with a unique flavor profile that complements the boldness of the tea itself.

For example, different types of winter citrus, such as blood oranges or Meyer lemons, are excellent choices due to their zingy sweetness. If you prefer an even sweeter infusion, consider raspberries or blackberries since these berries are naturally sweet and tart, creating a well-balanced brew. And if you're in the mood for a tropical twist, try infusing your black tea with pineapple or passion fruit, exotic fruits that will transport you to a sunny paradise with every sip.

After determining your favorite fruits, you can experiment with different combinations to discover exciting new flavor profiles, allowing you to customize your fruit-infused black tea even further.

To make fruit-infused black tea, choose your favorite black tea (not sure what brand to use? We ranked 20 tea brands from worst to best), boil 1 quart of water, and prepare the fruit you'll use. If opting for citrus like oranges, lemons, or limes, slice the fruit thinly. For larger fruits like pineapple or watermelon, chop them into bite-sized pieces. For berries, your best bet is to make a simple syrup by boiling them with water and sugar, letting the mixture simmer for 20 minutes, and straining to remove the fruit.

Add one tea bag, half a cup of fruit, and boiling water to a 1-quart glass jar. Let it sit for three minutes before removing the teabag. Cover the jar and leave the fruit inside for an additional 10 minutes. Sieve out the fruit pieces and sweeten the tea with honey or sugar to taste. Your fruit-infused black tea is ready to serve! Alternatively. since you added ingredients that would elevate homemade iced tea, you could refrigerate it for half an hour and add ice for a refreshing summertime beverage.