Sure, you’ve tried iced tea. But have you ever experienced icewine tea?
What is Icewine?
Icewine is a type of dessert wine that has been made from frozen grapes. When tea is added to the mix, it creates a refreshingly cool and crisp beverage that feels a little like drinking berries and caramel from the top of a glacier.
How is it made?
To make icewine, producers use grapes that have been harvested on the coldest day of the year. This is due to the fact that as the temperatures drop, the water within the grapes begins to freeze, forming ice crystals. This then causes the grapes to push out excess water, losing more and more liquid as the temperature continues to drop. By the end of it, there’s nothing left but sugar and acid, resulting in an intensely sweet, tangy, and bold flavour. During the process, the icewine is de-alcoholised, meaning that even children can enjoy the sweet, fruity beverage.
The Origin of Icewine
Having originated in Germany, this delicious drink was originally referred to as ‘Eiswein’ and would be served at markets across the country. The beverage grew in popularity as more and more vineyards began to put aside parcels of vines for the sole purpose of creating Eiswein. The drink was rare - and extremely difficult to produce, and as such, it was one of the most expensive wines available. Recently, icewine has undergone a surge of popularity in the cities and wilderness of Canada and the US. In fact, icewine has become so popular in North America that there are even festivals celebrating the beginning of icewine season.
What Does Icewine Tea Taste Like?
Canadian icewine mixed with black or white tea is a heavenly combination. The tartness of the fruit blends with the maltiness of the tea, resulting in a surprising range of flavour profiles. Depending on the brewing method and tea types used, icewine tea can be mellow and delicate, or sweet and bright, or even earthy and dark. One thing is always consistent with icewine tea: the composition is deep, rich, and complex. When blended with the bold and brisk tea leaves, the sweetness of the grapes are able to truly flourish.
Health Benefits of Icewine Tea
As it just so happens, icewine tea is actually pretty good for you. Some of the health benefits of icewine tea include:
- The flavonoids in black tea have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and prevent damage in the artery walls and bloodstream, improving heart health.
- Along with that, icewine can have a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of myocardial infarction.
- The caffeine in black tea boosts blood flow to the brain without over-stimulating the heart, which results in increased energy.
- The tannins in both tea and icewine aid in digestion and soothe gastric and intestinal illnesses, helping with digestive regulation.
- The antioxidants in black tea help to protect against oxidative damage, lowering the risk of diseases such as cancer.
- Icewine contains antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, phenolic compounds, and zinc, resulting in anti-aging and anti-bacterial properties.
