Are you considering adding winter melon tea to your daily diet? Is winter melon tea good for you? Follow this article to get more useful information about this amazing drink.
Introduction
Winter melon tea is getting popular and favored thanks to its refreshing effects and subtle sweetness. Beyond its delicious flavor, many people might be curious about its health benefits. So, is winter melon tea good for you? Let’s dive into its nutritional value and potential benefits in this article.
What is winter melon tea?
Winter melon, also called ash gourd or wax gourd, is a member of the gourd family, along with cucumber and melons. It can be consumed as a vegetable and a great ingredient to make a sweet and refreshing beverage, winter melon tea. This wonderful drink is a well-known beverage in East and Southeast Asia, prepared by boiling winter melon with sugar or honey. It can also be combined with additional components such as tea leaves and herbal infusions. Winter melon tea has a gentle and caramel-like sweetness with a mild earthy note, making it easy to drink for everyone.
Traditionally, winter melon tea has been used in cuisines and medication in ancient China thanks to its cooling properties. Gradually, sweeteners like sugar were added to create a refreshing drink. In Taiwan and Malaysia, winter melon tea is usually enjoyed iced and served as a signature street food. It is brought internationally along with the popularity of bubble tea and has become one of the favorite drinks in various cultures.
What is the nutritional value of winter melon?
The nutritional profile of winter melon tea can vary depending on what ingredients are used and how it is prepared. Winter melon is a low-calorie fruit, so the calories in winter melon tea mainly comes from added sugar and flavorings. It is also low in fat, protein, and carbs. Meanwhile, winter melon is a rich source of essential nutrients, including dietary fiber, vitamins B, and C, antioxidants, and minerals, like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. During the tea-making process, the vitamin C content might be slightly reduced because of the heat sensitivity, while minerals and fiber compounds are mostly kept.
Is winter melon tea good for you?
Supporting hydration
Because winter melon tea is primarily water-based, it is a great option for staying hydrated. Additionally, people may be inspired to drink more throughout the day by its subtle sweetness and refreshing feeling.
Cooling properties
One of the outstanding features that has made winter melon tea a favorite drink for centuries is its cooling effect. It has been used in traditional medication to reduce internal heat and alleviate symptoms such as thirst and restlessness. Winter melon tea is a great drink to add to daily diet, especially for those suffering from internal heat.
Promoting digestion
Winter melon tea is rich in dietary fiber, which is beneficial for the digestive system. Its high fiber and water content help regulate bowel movements and prevent gastrointestinal issues. The soluble fiber also aids in slowing digestion and enhancing the fullness feelings, promoting a healthy body weight.
Weight management
The low-calorie content makes winter melon an ideal ingredient for those on a diet. Besides, its fiber compound helps you stay full longer and lessen snacking. However, to have those positive effects on weight management, winter melon tea should be prepared with minimal sugar. If winter melon tea is made from too much sugar, it not only cannot help you lose weight but also causes weight gain.
Rich in antioxidants
Winter melon tea is rich in antioxidants like polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Those properties can help the body fight off free radicals, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and maintain healthy skin.
How to make a healthier winter melon tea?
Many available winter melon teas are prepared with too much sugar. Overconsumption of sugar can lead to some side effects, such as weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and a weakened immune system in the long term. Therefore, to maximize the health benefits of winter melon tea, let’s try out the healthier version with a simple recipe. It is suggested to replace sugar with honey or natural sweeteners to reduce the sugar intake.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg fresh winter melon
- 1 monk fruit
- 50 grams of pandan leaves
- 150 grams of rock sugar
- 100 grams of jujubes
- 1 piece of sugarcane
- Some salt
- Water
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
- For winter melon, remove the skin and the seeds. Wash the flesh and cut it into small pieces.
- Crush the monk fruit into small pieces.
- Clean the pandan leaves and tie them up
- Split the sugarcane lengthwise into 4 pieces. If they are too long, cut them into 5 cm long pieces.
Step 2: Cooking the winter melon tea
- Put all the processed ingredients into a pot: 150 grams of rock sugar, sugarcane, winter melon, 100 grams of jujubes, ⅓ teaspoon salt, monk fruit, and 50 grams of pandan leaves.
- Pour into the pot about 3.5 liters of water and bring it to a boil. When the mixture boils, reduce the heat and continue to cook for about 1 hour to soften the winter melon.
- Turn off the heat and filter to get the tea.
- Allow the tea to cool down. Add some ice and enjoy!
Finished winter melon tea has an eye-catching color and a subtle sweetness, along with a faint aroma from pandan leaves. In addition, you can add some real tea leaves to enrich flavor layers and chia seeds to create a joyful drinking experience.
Is it good to drink too much winter melon tea?
A glass of refreshing winter melon tea a day can help purify your body, and regular consumption can bring positive changes to your body. Although winter melon tea is good for overall health and can be consumed daily, remember that moderation is the key. Keep your daily intake of winter melon tea to one or two cups, especially if it is sweetened.
Because it contains cooling properties, children, the elderly, and those with a sensitive stomach and prone to diarrhea should not drink too much winter melon tea. In traditional beliefs, consuming excessive “cooling” food and beverages like winter melon tea might disrupt the body’s balance, causing fatigue and cold intolerance. Moreover, drinking excessive winter melon after big meals with a lot of fresh food is not recommended.
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Conclusion
Is winter melon tea good for you? It can be a tasty and beneficial beverage that can promote hydration, digestion, and your overall health if consumed in moderation and prepared with less sugar. Give it a try and you can experience the revitalizing flavor and health advantages! Otherwise, if you are looking for a prestigious supplier of winter melon tea, don’t hesitate to contact FGC.
About Future Generation Co.,Ltd
Future Generation Company Limited is one of the largest beverage suppliers in Vietnam, with 27 years of experience in production and export. FGC is equipped with modern machines such as Hotfill PET and TetraPak, ensuring high-capacity production. FGC strives to achieve our mission to become Vietnam’s leading healthy beverage company. Our factories also meet international standards such as ISO, HACCP, etc. In addition, we constantly innovate our machinery system, strengthen production capacity, and increase productivity.
FGC also provides Private Label Services. With this service, we can help customers in researching and formulating beverages, designing product label packaging, and creating their own brands. This is an ideal solution for small and medium enterprises. Moreover, FGC provides free samples for customers to test before bulk orders. We also ensure delivery as fast as possible.
Contact
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Phone: +84 24 73 000 125/ +84 24 73 063 369
Mail: info@vietnam-tea.com
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