If you travel around Southeast Asia, it is easy to come across and buy a glass of refreshing calamansi honey tea.
Introduction
Calamansi honey tea is a vibrant beverage that harmoniously blends the tangy and sweet tastes. It becomes sought-after thanks to its bold citrus flavor, refreshing properties, potential benefits, and reasonable prices. In this article, we will explore what calamansi honey tea is, its nutritional benefits, and what makes it special.
What is calamansi?
Origin
Calamansi, also called calamondin, is a unique, round citrus fruit with a size similar to that of a kumquat. It is a hybrid between a kumquat and a mandarin orange. Calamansi is native to the Philippines, which is the reason why it may be known as Philippine limes or lemons. It is a common ingredient in Filipino cooking and is often consumed as juice or as a seasoning to complete the dish. Besides, it is popular in other Asian regions, including southern China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Tastes and flavors
Calamansi’s skin is green and gradually turns dark yellow-orange when it is ripe. It has a distinctive sour taste with a slight sweetness, like a blend between a lemon, an orange, and a lime. The combination of sweetness and tartness is more harmonious, as it is sweeter and softer than a lemon. Moreover, as soon as you open it, a powerful lemony floral aroma fills the air. Both the pulp and the peel can be eaten, but the tart juice, which is opaque with a sunshine-yellow hue, is most commonly used. There may be several seeds in the middle, but they are often bitter and inedible.
Usage
Calamansi is traditionally used as a seasoning or flavor in Filipino culture. It is more often used when unripe for its tartness as an alternative to lime or lemon. It is favored and commonly used to eliminate the fishy smell in traditional cuisine. Additionally, its natural sourness can help balance sweetness, making it suitable in various condiments, beverages, marinades, and dishes. You can squeeze the calamansi and drink its juice directly like other citrus fruits. Besides, the whole fruit may be frozen and used as ice cubes in drinks like tea, soft drinks, water, and cocktails.
Cultivation
Because calamansi originates in the Philippines, the country is also the primary supplier of this fruit. It is primarily cultivated for its juice extracts, which are then processed and exported to countries, such as Hong Kong, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Calamansi is often cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical areas, as it is quite sensitive to prolonged cold weather. From the Philippines, it is currently grown in Southeast Asia, India, Hawaii, Central, and North America.
What is calamansi honey tea?
Calamansi honey tea is an infusion made by mixing tea, calamansi juice, and honey. This drink is widely consumed in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Calamansi honey tea can be enjoyed both hot and cold, depending on the weather and preference. This beverage has a harmonious combination of calamansi’s sourness, honey’s sweetness, and tea’s warmth.
Calamansi honey tea may taste similar to lemon tea, but instead of lemon, calamansi is used to bring a more fruity and floral flavor and a gentler sourness. The iced version is especially favored during hot summer days, which bring a vibrant and refreshing experience. The price for a cup of calamansi honey tea is also financially friendly, making it a popular choice for people of all ages and classes. Therefore, the tangy-sweet drink has become a staple in many Southeast Asian homes and cafes.
In addition, calamansi honey tea is flexible and highly adaptable. It can combine with ginger for a warming effect, which is great for flu season. Adding some mint leaves can boost the refreshing experience for hot days. Moreover, it can mix with soda water to create a modern twist.
What is calamansi honey tea good for?
Calamansi honey tea is more than just a tasty experience; it is packed with numerous potential health benefits. It is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamin C, and many natural soothing compounds. So, what is calamansi honey tea good for?
Rich sources of vitamin C and antioxidants in calamansi honey tea are known to benefit the immune system and protect us against common illnesses. Regular consumption of this beverage may help fight against colds, flus, and other infections. Moreover, the blending of calamansi and honey, especially served warm, is frequently used to treat coughs and soothe sore throats. It is thanks to the essential oils in calamansi peel and the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of honey.
Besides, calamansi honey tea is good for digestion and detoxification. The fiber content in calamansi fruit helps stimulate digestion and prevent constipation, while honey can help reduce stomach acid, supporting a healthy digestive system. This beverage also aids in cooling the body and providing refreshing properties to replenish energy, especially during hot weather.
Vitamin C and antioxidant compounds in calamansi honey tea are beneficial in brightening skin, preventing aging, and protecting skin from sun damage. Furthermore, it can help neutralize free radicals, which damage skin cells, and promote collagen production for a youthful-looking skin.
Why is calamansi honey tea favored?
Calamansi honey tea is gaining popularity and has become a common drink in many cafes, particularly in Southeast Asia. The first reason why this drink is well-received is because of its distinctive taste and flavors. It contains a unique blend of calamansi’s sourness, honey’s sweetness, and tea’s characteristic aroma, creating an attractive drink that suits many tastes.
Besides, calamansi honey tea is renowned for its rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants. It is a great option for those looking for a healthy, delicious drink that people of all ages can consume. Some potential benefits include boosting immunity, digestion, skin health, and soothing a sore throat.
Moreover, the ingredients to make this drink are so simple and easy to find, with reasonable prices. People can easily try to prepare it at home without any special tools and equipment, or purchase it at many stores and cafes. In addition, calamansi honey tea can be combined with various types of tea, toppings such as coconut jelly and chia seeds, or other fruits to create new flavors.
Conclusion
With origins in Southeast Asian nations, calamansi honey tea is a tasty, refreshing, and versatile drink with modern global appeal. This drink satisfies customers’ palate with its unique balance of sour and sweet. If you are looking for ready-to-drink calamansi honey tea, FGC’s products will meet your demands.
About Future Generation Co.,Ltd
Future Generation Company Limited is one of the largest beverage suppliers in Vietnam, with 30 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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