What’s tastier than freshly-brewed iced tea? We share our favourite iced tea recipes that will keep you hydrated and refreshed this summer.

Strawberry and basil iced tea 

Makes 1L • Total Time 15 Min [Plus Refrigeration] 

Ingredients

1L boiling water 
2 Tbsp honey 
½ punnet basil, plus to garnish 
125g strawberries, halved, plus to garnish 
2 teabags Hibiscus tea  

Method

1. Add water, honey, strawberries and basil to a pot over medium heat.
2. Bring it to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
3. Pour mixture into a heat-safe jug and add teabags.
4. Set aside to infuse for 5 minutes, then remove teabags and refrigerate until cold.
5. Strain liquid to remove any bits of fruit.
6. Top with water.
7. Serve poured over ice, and garnish with berries and basil. 

Lemon and mint green iced tea 

Makes 1L • Total Time 15 Min [Plus Refrigeration] 

Ingredients

1L boiling water 
2 teabags Green tea 
6 mint leaves, plus to garnish 
2 lemons, sliced 
2 tbsp honey  

Method

1. Combine the boiling water, teabags, mint and lemons in a heat-safe bowl or jug.
2. Add the honey and stir to dissolve.
3. Set aside to infuse for 5 minutes, then remove the teabags and refrigerate until cold.
4. Top up with water to taste.
5. Serve poured over ice, and garnish with lemon and mint. 

Make The Best Brew 

It’s true: there is a correct way to make a pot of tea — even iced tea. Here are some tried-and-tested tricks: 

1. Don’t brew it for ages.
Once the teabag has been in hot water for more than 10 minutes, it starts to release the bitter tannins of the tea leaves. Aim for the sweet spot between 5 and 7 minutes.   

2. Be patient.
When it comes to letting the iced tea cool – don’t rush. It will be worth it. Remember to add a generous amount of the all-important ice when serving!  

3. Do a taste test.
Check the sweetness and add more honey if you like. Be sure to let it dissolve before you take it off the heat. If not, the honey will settle at the bottom.  

Like A Teacup and Saucer 

Some flavour combinations are just simply meant to be. Bring out the best in these four teas:   

Peppermint Tea
Adding lime to this tea will add a zing of freshness.  

Chamomile Tea
Grate a 2cm piece of fresh ginger into this tea for a punchy immunity boost.  

Earl Grey Tea 
Bring out the citrus notes with a few slices of the real deal. Orange and lemon will work well.   

Rooibos Tea 
The classic combo of rooibos tea and fresh peaches is a heavenly match.  

Words by Sjaan Van Der Ploeg
Photography: Fresh Living Magazine

The post Sippin’ Pretty: Cool as Iced Tea appeared first on MyKitchen.

Besides being the perfect sidekick to a good book; a break after a long day’s work and accompanying many a sweet delight, tea is just as good for the body as it is for the soul. We look at different types of herbal teas and their health benefits. 

Rooibos
Tasty, healthy and native to South Africa. Like green tea, you can enjoy a delicious cup with or without milk and sugar. Brewed using leaves from the Rooibos plant, it’s packed with antioxidants and is low on tannin. This sweet-tasting herbal tea is also caffeine free – which means children and breastfeeding mothers can drink it.   

“Rooibos and honeybush teas provide a natural, rich source of compounds beneficial to your health and people should see these herbal teas as part of a healthy, sensible lifestyle that could alleviate the risk of cancer, and reduce its possible extent,” says Dr Jeanine Marnewick, Cape Peninsula University of Technology.  

Ginger tea
Made from aromatic spice, ginger tea is delicious and a trusted go-to when you want a remedy for motion sickness and nausea. According to registered dietician, Brigitte Zeitlin, ginger root has medicinal properties and drinking ginger tea can bring forth alleviating properties as well.   

Ginger tea also helps with inflammation. “Drinking ginger tea can be wonderfully soothing, as it may not only help alleviate nausea, but it can also help control inflammation in the body because it contains the substances gingerol and shogaol,” says plant-based registered dietitian, Amy Gorin. 

Peppermint tea
Who needs coffee when you can sip a refreshing cup of peppermint tea? This delicious beverage, which can be enjoyed hot or cold, is made from the dried leaves of peppermint plants. One of its many benefits is the relief of headaches. “The type of headaches that peppermint tea usually helps with are those caused by poor eating habits or daily stress. In these cases, these headaches typically restrict the number of blood vessels that go to the brain, and peppermint tea has the ability to open them up, which can relieve the tension causing the headache,” explains certified holistic health coach Bianca Kamhi.   

Does a cup of mint tea keep the dentist away? Apparently so! According to Kamhi, peppermint tea can also curb bad breath. “Peppermint holds a number of antibacterial properties which can kill germs in your mouth. This – along with its pleasant and fresh smell – may help freshen your breath,” she says. 

Chamomile tea
Ready for a good night’s rest? Chamomile tea is known to help you relax and fall asleep easier. “Chamomile is a very gentle, supportive herb for all ages that you can consume daily,” says nutritionist and herbal educator, Lindsay Kluge. “The caffeine-free herb is an ideal sleep support because it doesn’t force your body into anything; it doesn’t knock you out, sedate you, or make you drowsy,” she further explains. So, snuggle up with a cosy blanket in bed and enjoy your warm cup of chamomile tea to kickstart your restful night. 

The post Health Benefits Of Drinking Tea appeared first on MyKitchen.

Fun, easy, kid-friendly and totally scrumptious is what these Peppermint Crisp tart cones are! But they have to set, so plan ahead!

SERVES  6 // COOK TIME 1 hour 30 min

INGREDIENTS
6 sugar cones
100 g dark chocolate, melted
2 cups cream
360 g tin caramel
150 g Peppermint Crisp, chopped

METHOD
1. Dip the edges of the cones in the melted chocolate. Place them upside down to set.
2. Heat ⅓ cup cream (do not boil). Mix it with the remaining melted chocolate. Pour a little into the bottom of each cone, then place in the freezer for a few minutes to set.
3. Whip remaining cream until stiff peaks form. Divide between 2 bowls.
4. Place caramel in a separate bowl and whisk lightly to loosen. Set aside ¼ caramel for layering.
5. Fold ¾ caramel and ½ chopped Peppermint Crisp into 1 bowl of cream. Place in a piping bag.
6. Place other bowl of cream in another piping bag.
7. Fill the cones halfway with the Peppermint Crisp mixture, add a dollop of caramel, then fill all the way. Place in the freezer to set for at least 1 hour, but less than 24 hours (or they will be soggy).
8. Finish by topping each cone with remaining whipped cream and Peppermint Crisp.

Recipes & styling: Amerae Vercueil
Photography: Andreas Eiselen

Not a fan of spending long hours in the kitchen? Save time and energy with this no-churn cherry swirl ice cream – the perfect no-fuss dessert!

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We bring an absolute favourite sweet treat to life with this yummy Peppermint Crisp hot chocolate with extra chocolatey sauce. Everyone needs a fool-proof chocolate-sauce recipe, so save this one to use in other hot drinks and over ice cream and other delicious desserts.

SERVES 4 // COOKING TIME 25 min

INGREDIENTS
For the chocolate sauce
1 cup water
½ cup cocoa powder
⅓  cup caster sugar
¼ cup finely chopped milk chocolate
2 tbsp Peppermint Crisp, crushed
For the hot chocolate
4 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp brown sugar
3 tbsp boiling water
4 cups milk
¼ cup chopped dark chocolate
¼ cup crumbled Peppermint Crisp, plus extra to serve
Marshmallows, to serve

METHOD
For the chocolate sauce
1. In a large pot, whisk together the water, cocoa powder and caster sugar, until smooth.
2. Place the pot over medium heat and bring to the boil . As soon as it boils, reduce the heat and simmer for 3 minutes, until thickened.
3. Remove from the heat and whisk in the finely chopped milk chocolate and crushed Peppermint Crisp, until fully melted.
For the hot chocolate
1. In a pot, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar and boiling water, until dissolved. Slowly add the milk, whisking continuously until smooth.
2. Set the pot over a medium heat and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and whisk in the dark chocolate and Peppermint Crisp.
3. Serve immediately topped with the marshmallows, a drizzling of chocolate sauce and extra Peppermint Crisp.

Recipe & styling: Kate Turner
Photography: Andreas Eiselen // HMimages.co.za

Pastries and tarts aren’t the only treats you can get creative with, drinks are fun to experiment with too! Just take our marbled hot chocolate.

The post Peppermint Crisp hot chocolate with cocoa sauce appeared first on MyKitchen.