This morning, husband’s 13-year-old teenage sister Mimi and I woke up in the wee hours of the morning and prepared a drink so we could have enough energy before our yoga routine. The drink was very refreshing, delicious, rich in antioxidants and made with natural ingredients such as chia seeds, fresh blueberries, oranges, green tea, ghee and maple syrup.
This special concoction was Mimi’s idea, and I adore it. It doesn’t require too much sweetener thanks to the blueberries and chia seeds, which add another dimension to the tea drink. Isn’t it wonderful to start the day in a healthy way? Plus, it’s gluten free!
1. Info for Chia Seed Blueberry Tea Drink Recipe
- Cook Time: 2 mins
- Total Time: 8 mins
- Servings: 4
- Calories: 88 kcal
2. Ingredients for Chia Seed Blueberry Tea Drink Recipe
- 4 green tea bags
- 4 teaspoons maple syrup, to taste
- 5 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon pure lime oil
- 1 tablespoon melted ghee (clarified butter), optional
- juice of 1 orange, strained
3. Directions:
3.1 Making green tea
Heat 2 cups of water until the water is hot, but not more than 160°F. The water should basically be bubbling a little and there should be some steam starting to rise, whereas with black tea, you should reach a roaring boil. Remove from the stove. Immediately place the tea bags into the water. Steep the green tea for about 2 minutes (no longer!). Add maple syrup. Strain the liquid and discard the tea bags. Let cool to room temperature. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the rest of the drink.
3.2 For the chia seeds
Wash the chia seeds through a large strainer under running water. Place the seeds in a pitcher. Add the green tea. Let stand until the seeds gain in volume, which will take about 5 minutes.
3.3 For the blueberries
Place the blueberries in a saucepan. Add 3 cups water, ensuring it covers them completely. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat, mash the blueberries, then bring back to a roaring boil. Turn off the heat.
Place the blueberry liquid, pure lime oil and ghee (if using) in a blender. Pulse 2-3 times. Strain the pulp through a coarse-mesh strainer, using a wooden pestle to press through as much blueberry purée as possible . Discard the skin and solids.
3.4 Assembly time
To the same pitcher, add the blueberry liquid, the orange juice, chia seeds and green tea. Stir well.
We served this chilled with additional fresh blueberries.
Enjoy!
4. Tips and advices:
- You can find chia seeds in any food stores, or many supermarkets like Whole Foods.
- You could omit the ghee if you want the drink to be vegan.
- I used Boyajian pure lime oil.
- Green tea tastes best when steeped for 1 to 2 minutes. Don’t steep too long; otherwise it will alter the flavor and might have a bitter taste.
- Always start with cold, fresh, filtered water to avoid on off taste because of the chlorine in regular water.
- You can use any other sweeteners such as regular granulated sugar, honey or agave nectar.
