How to Make Beetroot Tea: A Healthy Vegetable Brew

If you’re looking for new and exciting ways to enjoy your teas, you might want to give beetroot tea a try. Using vegetables in your tea may sound a bit unusual, but when done right, it can be super tasty!

By following this recipe, you can turn your beetroots into a refreshing and nutritious drink that has a unique flavor, a vibrant color. Not only this, it also has so many health benefits. So without further ado, we’ll show you how to make the ultimate beetroot tea from scratch, with some added tips and tricks. Lets go!

What is Beetroot Tea?

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Surprisingly, the beetroot vegetable belongs to the same family as spinach and chard. However, it has a sweet and earthy taste with a rich red color that comes from a pigment called betalain. When making beetroot tea, you can use either fresh or dried beetroot (using fresh beetroot will have a stronger taste). This type of drink is also commonly known as beet juice, beet kvass, or beetroot water.

Beetroot tea has been consumed for centuries in various cultures, especially in Eastern Europe, where it is often used as a base for soups and salads. It’s also popular in India, where they mix it up with spices and honey to make a warming and energizing drink. This is similar to what we will be making in today’s tea recipe.

How to Make Beetroot Tea

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Ingredients:

To make beet tea, you will need the following ingredients:

• Fresh or dried beetroot: You can use either fresh or dried beetroot to make beetroot tea, depending on your preference and availability. Fresh beetroot will give you a more intense flavor and color, while dried beetroot will last longer and be easier to store. You will need about 1/4 cup of grated fresh beetroot or 2 tablespoons of dried beetroot per cup of water.
• Water: You will need enough water to cover the beetroot in a pot. You can use filtered or tap water, but make sure it is clean and safe to drink.
• Sweeteners (optional): You can add some sweeteners to your beetroot tea to balance its earthy taste and enhance its flavor. You can use honey, sugar, maple syrup, agave nectar, or any other sweetener of your choice. You can also skip the sweeteners if you prefer a more natural taste.
• Additional flavorings or spices (optional): You can customize your beetroot tea by adding some extra flavorings or spices to suit your taste buds. You can try lemon, orange, lime, ginger, mint, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, or any other ingredients that you like. You can also experiment with different combinations and ratios to create your own signature blend.

Equipment:

To make beetroot tea, you will need the following equipment:

• A pot: You will need a pot that is large enough to hold the water and the beetroot. You can use a stainless steel, glass, or ceramic pot, but avoid using aluminum or iron pots, as they may react with the beetroot and affect its color and taste.
• A strainer: You will need a strainer to filter out the beetroot pieces and any other solids from the tea. You can use a fine mesh strainer, sieve, a cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or a tea infuser.
• A teapot or a pitcher: You will need a teapot or a pitcher to transfer the tea from the pot to the cups or mugs. You can use any teapot or pitcher that you have, as long as it is clean and heat-resistant.
• Cups or mugs: You will need cups or mugs to serve and enjoy your beetroot tea. You can use any cups or mugs that you like, but make sure they are large enough to hold the tea and have handles to avoid burning your fingers.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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Now that you have gathered all the ingredients and equipment, you are ready to make your beetroot tea. See below for the step-by-step instructions:

1. Prepare the Beetroot

1. Wash and peel the beetroot. You can use a vegetable peeler, a knife, or a spoon to remove the skin. Be careful not to cut yourself, and wear gloves if you want to avoid staining your hands.
2. Rinse the beetroot under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Make sure to dry them with some paper towels or a cloth.
3. Grate or slice the beetroot. You can use a box grater, a food processor, or a knife to cut the beetroot into small pieces. The smaller the pieces, the faster and easier they will infuse into the water. You can also chop the beetroot into larger chunks, but you will need to increase the steeping time.

2. Boil the Water

1. Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. You can use a kettle to boil the water first, and then transfer it to the pot, if you prefer.
2. Add the beetroot to the boiling water and reduce the heat to low. You can also add some sweeteners and flavorings at this point, if you wish. Stir well to combine everything.
3. Simmer the beetroot tea for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the water turns a deep red color. You can adjust the simmering time depending on how strong you want your tea to be. The longer you simmer, the more flavor and color you will extract from the beetroot.

3. Infuse the Beetroot

1. Turn off the heat and let the beetroot tea steep for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until it reaches your desired strength and taste. You can cover the pot with a lid to keep the tea warm and prevent evaporation.
2. Strain the beetroot tea through a strainer into a teapot or a pitcher. Discard the beetroot pieces and any other solids. You can also squeeze some lemon juice into the tea to enhance its flavor and prevent oxidation.

4. Serve and Enjoy

1. Pour the beetroot tea into cups or mugs and enjoy it hot or cold. You can add some ice cubes to cool it down, or reheat it in the microwave if you want it warmer. You can also garnish your tea with some mint leaves, lemon slices, or honey for extra appeal.
2. Store any leftover beetroot tea in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for up to 6 months, and use it as a base for smoothies, cocktails, or other drinks.

Variations and Enhancements

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You can make your beetroot tea more interesting and delicious by trying some of these variations and enhancements:

• Add citrus slices:

You can add some fresh or dried citrus slices, such as lemon, orange, lime, or grapefruit, to your beetroot tea to give it a refreshing and tangy twist. Citrus fruits also contain vitamin C, which can boost your immune system and help your body absorb the iron from the beetroot.

• Add ginger:

You can add some fresh or dried ginger to your beetroot tea to give it a spicy and warming kick. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and digestive benefits, which can complement the beetroot’s properties.

• Add other herbs:

You can add some fresh or dried herbs, such as mint, basil, rosemary, thyme, or lavender, to your beetroot tea to give it a fragrant and soothing touch. Herbs also have various health benefits, such as calming, antibacterial, and antiviral effects, depending on the type of herb you use.

• Pair with food:

You can pair your beetroot tea with some food that complements its unique taste. For example, you can have it with some cheese, crackers, nuts, or dried fruits for a simple and satisfying snack. You can also have it with some bread, salad, soup, or pasta for a light and healthy meal. Discover more about food and tea paring in our article on How to Pair Food with Tea: A Flavourful and Fun Guide.

Tips and Tricks

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Here are some useful tips and tricks to help make the most out of your beautiful beetroot tea:

• Use fresh, high-quality beetroot:

The quality of your beetroot will affect the flavor and color of your tea, so make sure you use fresh, organic, and firm beetroot that has no bruises, cuts, or mold. You can also use canned or frozen beetroot, but they may have less flavor and nutrients than fresh ones.

• Adjust the steeping time and temperature:

The steeping time and temperature of your beetroot tea will affect its flavor and color, so you can experiment with different settings to find your preferred taste. Generally, the longer and hotter you steep, the stronger and darker your tea will be. However, you don’t want to oversteep or overheat your tea, as it may become bitter or lose some of its nutrients. A good rule of thumb is to steep your beetroot tea for 15 to 30 minutes at 80°C to 100°C (176°F to 212°F).

• Reuse the leftover beetroot:

Don’t throw away the beetroot pieces after you strain your tea, as you can still use them for other purposes. You can add them to your salads, soups, smoothies, or baked goods for extra flavor and nutrition. You can also compost them or feed them to your pets or plants.

Health Benefits of Beetroot Tea

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Beetroot tea is not only tasty, but also good for your health. Here are some of the benefits of drinking beet tea:

1. High in antioxidants

Beetroot tea is rich in antioxidants, which are compounds that protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants can help prevent or reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems .

2. Potential blood pressure regulation

Beetroot tea contains nitrates, which are converted into nitric oxide in your body. This is a molecule in the body that can help keep your blood vessels relaxed and widened, ultimately improving the flow of blood and reducing blood pressure. Studies have shown that drinking beetroot juice can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in healthy and hypertensive individuals .

3. Anti-inflammatory properties

Beetroot tea has anti-inflammatory effects, thanks to its betalain content. Betalains are pigments that give beetroot its color, and also modulate the activity of enzymes and signaling pathways involved in inflammation . Beetroot tea may help reduce pain and swelling associated with arthritis, gout, and other inflammatory conditions .

Conclusion

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Beetroot tea is a delicious and healthy herbal brew that you can easily make at home with simple ingredients and equipment. This beautiful tea has a unique flavor, a vibrant color, and many health benefits, such as high antioxidant content, potential blood pressure regulation, and anti-inflammatory properties. You can also customize your beet tea by adding sweeteners, flavorings, spices, or herbs to suit your taste buds. We hope you enjoyed this recipe, and we encourage you to try making your own beet tea and share your experiences with us!

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• The Simple Costa Rican Tea Recipe for Natural Weight Loss

Sources

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• Eight reasons to drink beet tea – Tea Almanac
• Beetroot: Health Benefits, Nutrients, Preparation, and More – WebMD
• The Health Benefits Of Beet Tea | Just Tea
• 9 Impressive Health Benefits of Beets