Coconut tea is a unique and delicious beverage made from real coconuts that provide a wealth of health benefits, along with a wonderful flavor.
What is Coconut Tea?
Coconut tea is a caffeinated beverage that mixes coconut flakes and milk into green or black tea, creating an exceptional combination of powerful active ingredients and delectable flavors. Although this beverage is relatively new to America and parts of Europe, it has been prepared for generations in tropical regions where coconuts commonly grow. While this is traditionally brewed as a hot tea, you can also create iced tea and bubble tea with coconut as the primary flavor and nutritional element.
Coconut milk is rich in saturated fats, including high levels of lauric acid, as well as magnesium, iron, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Green and black tea are rich in polyphenolic compounds and other active ingredients that provide a wide range of health benefits. When you combine these two elements, the results are a superfood drink that you’d never expect!
Coconut tea has the essence of coconut without the fat & calories found in its oil, milk, or cream. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Coconut Tea Benefits
The top coconut tea benefits include the following:
- Improving heart health
- Weight loss
- Preventing cancer
- Boosting the immune system
Let us discuss them in detail below.
Skin Care
The skin-protecting nature of coconut milk is well known, thanks to the high level of healthy fats and antioxidants.
Immune System
Green tea can give the immune system a major boost, as can the vitamin C found in coconuts. [1]
Weight Loss
Both of the main ingredients can have an effect on the metabolism, which can boost passive fat-burning and aid weight loss efforts. [2]
Cardiovascular Health
High levels of “good” fats, namely HDL cholesterol and lauric acid, can help protect you from high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. [3]
How to Make Coconut Tea?
Making your own coconut tea at home is quite simple, but you’ll need to decide which type you want to prepare! Let’s take a look at the recipes below.
Coconut Green Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups of water
- 3 green tea bags
- 1/4 cup of coconut milk
- 2 tbsp of heavy milk
- 1 tsp brown sugar (optional)
Instructions
- To make coconut green tea, bring 4 cups of water to boil in a saucepan.
- Add three green tea bags.
- Remove from heat and let the tea steep for 5 minutes.
- Pour in 1/4 cup of coconut milk and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream.
- Stir thoroughly and remove the tea bag.
- Serve warm or chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, then serve cold. You can add a teaspoon of brown sugar if you prefer.
Coconut Chai Tea
Coconut Chai Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups of water
- 8 cardamoms
- 8 cloves
- 4 black tea bags
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 tbsp of brown sugar
- 1 tbsp peppercorn
Instructions
- To make coconut chai tea, bring 4 cups of water to boil with 8 cardamoms, 8 cloves, and 1 tablespoon of peppercorns in the saucepan.
- Add 4 black tea bags and remove from heat, steep for 5 minutes.
- In another saucepan, bring 1 cup of coconut milk and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to a simmer.
- Mix the milk into the tea and heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Whisk the entire mixture and serve warm.
Coconut Tea Side Effects
There are a few side effects of coconut tea but are mostly experienced when you drink too much of this beverage, including problems with digestion and issues for pregnant or breastfeeding women. This is also due to the high-fat content in coconut oil and flakes. For pregnant and breastfeeding women, closely watching your caffeine intake is important, so speak with your doctor before using coconut tea. [4]
