There are a lot of different teas out there. The vast majority of them are a blend of different teas based on specific tea leaves and where they’re from. Nimbu tea is one of those tea blends made with a particular tea leaf and additional ingredients.
If you’ve heard the name Nimbu tea in passing but aren’t quite sure what it is but are curious, we’re here to help. If you want to learn everything there is to know about Nimbu tea, keep reading!
Nimbu Tea Origins
The exciting thing about Nimbu tea is that you’ve probably heard of it and aren’t even aware because most people don’t call it Nimbu. They simply refer to this type of tea as lemon tea! It’s not made with slices of lemon but tea leaves with lemon juice added later in the brewing process.
People can make it with green or black tea, but it’s traditionally made with black tea. It’s unclear when Americans started drinking Nimbu tea, but it’s suspected that it was back in the 18th century. While many teas have a history in China and India, Nimbu tea isn’t a common beverage in these countries.
Interestingly, even though Nimbu is Hindi for the word “lemon,” it’s not prominent in India. Regardless of when Nimbu tea became a common practice in America, this soothing tea is delicious whether you choose to drink it hot or chilled.
What Does Nimbu Tea Taste Like?
Since Nimbu tea is essentially just a black tea served with a dose of lemon juice, you can expect the flavor to be refreshing and citrusy. The other flavor notes will depend on the black tea that you’re using. Most black teas have a robust flavor, so you can expect that to shine through with your Nimbu tea.
On the other hand, if you’re using green tea instead of black tea, the flavor might be a little bit different. It’ll have a much more green tea flavor meaning it’s vegetal, nutty, and often a little bitter. Even though you can make tea with green tea, most people prefer the taste when you make it with black tea.
What Can You Do To Make Nimbu Tea Taste Better?
Most people love how Nimbu tastes without adding anything to it, but it’s still pretty common to see people adding various ingredients to the tea. If you want to experiment with different Nimbu tea combinations, here’s what you can add to it.
Honey
The most common thing people add to Nimbu tea is honey. It’s a great natural sweetener and easily blends into the tea when it’s still hot. The combination of honey and lemon juice help soothe the throat and taste amazing. That’s why this tea is so popular when you’re not feeling your best.
Sugar or Artificial Sweeteners
If honey isn’t your cup of tea, you can try adding sugar or another sweetener to cut the acidity of the lemon juice and black tea. Be careful not to add too much, though.
How To Brew Nimbu Tea
If you want to make some delicious Nimbu tea, you don’t need any special skills. It’s pretty easy to make and is perfect for several occasions. Here’s how you can make your own Nimbu tea. Remember that this recipe makes two cups of tea, so adjust the measurements accordingly if you need or want more.
Grab Your Ingredients
Besides a heat source and pot or tea kettle, what you’ll need to make Nimbu tea is:
- Two teaspoons of black tea (or green)
- Two cups of water
- Two teaspoons of honey
- One tablespoon of lemon juice
For the lemon juice and honey, you can use more or less, depending on your preference.
Boil the Water
You’ll use a pot or tea kettle and add two cups of water. Place it on the burner on high and let the water come to a boil.
Bring the water to a Simmer and Steep.
Once your water is boiling, turn the heat down until the water simmer, and steep your two teaspoons of black tea for about one minute.
Add in Your Other Ingredients
After you’re finished steeping your tea, you’ll pour the tea into cups before adding in your honey and lemon juice. Be sure to stir them in thoroughly.
Serve
Once everything is stirred in well, you’re ready to serve! The tea is traditionally served hot, but you can place it in the fridge if you prefer an iced or cold version.
Calories in Nimbu Tea
Since Nimbu or lemon tea is a natural tea, there are no calories in it when you brew it with water. Number tea is delicious without anything added to it, but if you want to add juice, sugar, or something else, the calorie content will increase slightly.
Is There Caffeine in Nimbu Tea?
Nimbu tea is made with black or green tea, so there will be caffeine in the beverage. Ultimately, how high or low the caffeine content is will depend on whether you went with black or green tea and where you purchased the tea from.
Black tea can have anywhere from 45 to 90 mg of caffeine per cup, while green tea has around 20 to 30 mg.
Carbs in Nimbu Tea
We love Nimbu tea because not only is it naturally low in calories; it’s low in carbs. The tea has almost no carbs, and the content is about 0.1 grams per serving. The number is so small you might as well call the tea carb-free. Depending on how much lemon juice you add, that can elevate the carbohydrate content, but it won’t be substantial.
Final Thoughts
Nimbu tea is commonly known as lemon tea because it’s elevated with lemon juice. It’s traditionally made with black tea, but you can use green tea if you prefer that. This tea is ultra soothing for the throat and comforting when you’re under the weather. Next time you want a crisp tea, consider giving Nimbu tea a try.
