Tea Blog

From time to time, publications weigh in on the worst iced teas on the market. While that may sound exaggerated, the reality is that not all iced tea is created equal. In fact, many commercial iced teas contain more sugar and additives than actual tea.

A recent list of iced teas considered unhealthy due to high sugar content from a New York publication highlighted several familiar brands commonly found in grocery stores and restaurants. In many cases, the primary concern was the amount of added sugar, with some bottled teas containing up to 55 grams—roughly 14 teaspoons—in a single 20-ounce serving.

Similarly, Men’s Health magazine addressed the issue in a feature ranking high-calorie beverages. Their findings included both the worst tea-like beverages based on sugar and calorie content and the worst bottled iced tea products with excessive sweeteners, with some drinks packing as much as 20 teaspoons of sugar per bottle.

The article also suggested that a tea beverage should contain no more than 15 grams of sugar per 20-ounce serving. However, this raises a broader question: does iced tea need sugar at all? While sweet tea is deeply rooted in certain regional traditions, particularly in the southern United States, unsweetened tea offers a very different—and often more nuanced—flavor experience.

Nearly any tea that can be enjoyed hot can also be prepared as iced tea. As with hot tea, the quality of the leaves plays a major role in the final flavor. Higher-quality teas often require little to no sweetening, as their natural characteristics provide sufficient depth and balance.

For those accustomed to heavily sweetened beverages, transitioning to unsweetened iced tea may take some time. Taste preferences can adjust gradually, especially when better-quality tea is used. Over time, many people find that they no longer miss the added sugar.

Ultimately, making your own iced tea with quality ingredients may be the best way to avoid overly sweet, processed alternatives.

See more of William I. Lengeman’s articles in this archive of tea-related writing by the author.

© Online Stores, Inc., and The English Tea Store Blog. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Excerpts allowed with proper credit.