Green tea provides a rich source of antioxidants, which can help prevent heart disease and certain cancers, according to Harvard Medical School. The flavor of the tea is sometimes bitter, but a small amount of crystallized ginger sweetens and adds more body to the green tea. Crystallized ginger is coated in sugar, but only a small amount is used to flavor the tea.
Green Tea Selection
Green tea comes in many varieties, from delicate pale green teas to stronger blends. The type you choose depends on your preferences, although stronger teas work better with crystallized ginger. Unlike mild green teas, the stronger flavor isn't overcome by the sweetness of the sugared ginger. Japanese sencha tea varieties or Chinese long jing varieties have the stronger, full-bodied flavor that complements the sweet flavor of the crystallized ginger well.
Brewing Basics
Brewing methods depend in part on whether you are serving the tea warm or as a cold drink. Green teas usually require a shorter brewing time than black teas. In general, steep the green tea in 185-degree Fahrenheit water for 1 to 3 minutes. The finished tea has a green tint that varies in intensity depending on the tea blend. Cold green tea beverages are usually made with a tea concentrate. You can brew your own by combining 12 tea bags with 4 cups of 185-degree water. Steep for 1 to 3 minutes before removing the bags and cooling the concentrate in the refrigerator.
Ginger Hot Tea
The crystallized ginger adds a sugary flavor with a slight hint of spiciness to a warm cup of green tea. Place a teaspoon of the ginger in the cup at the beginning of the brewing time. You can leave the ginger in the cup when you serve it or strain it out as desired. Another option is to place the ginger in a metal mesh tea infuser so it's easier to remove before serving. A squeeze of lemon also complements the flavor of ginger green tea.
Ginger Ice Tea
The slightly spicy flavor of ginger is a refreshing addition to iced green teas. Finely chop the crystallized ginger and add up to 1/4 cup for every 1 1/3 cups of tea concentrate. There is 100 calories and 21 grams of sugar in each ounce of crystallized ginger and approximately 2 ounces of ginger in 1/4 cup, so use less if you prefer a lower-calorie or lower-sugar beverage. Add the ginger to the concentrate after brewing but before the tea cools. The sugar coating on the ginger dissolves and the ginger infuses the tea with flavor as the concentrate cools. You can mix the resulting ginger tea concentrate with twice as much water for standard ice tea or with ginger ale for a sparkling beverage.
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