Beth's Sugar-Free & Decaf Spiced Tea Mix
I converted an old, favorite recipe of mine for Spiced Tea to a sugar-free and decaf version. I think I finally got it right this time.
I converted an old, favorite recipe of mine for Spiced Tea to a sugar-free and decaf version. I think I finally got it right this time.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 3-oz jar lipton instant, unsweetened & decaffeinated tea (whole jar)
- 1 3.2-oz box great value sugar free lemonade drink mix (all 6 packets)
- 1 2.82-oz box great value sugar free orange early rise drink mix (all 5 packets)
- 1 cup great value granulated, no calorie sweetener
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Carbohydrate 0.6928725 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.0307455 g
- Fiber 0.450089988899231 g
- Protein 0.037401 g
- Saturated Fat 0.0084009 g
- Serving Size 1 1 half pint jars+ (1g)
- Sodium 0.33315 mg
- Sugar 0.242782511100769 g
- Trans Fat 0.01090845 g
- Calories 2 calories
Step-by-step
- Pour all ingredients into a large zip top plastic bag.
- Close top and roll over and over until very well mixed.
- Pour contents of bag into dry jars with very tight fitting lids.
- To make spiced tea, add 1 tablespoon of spiced tea mix to approximately 8 ounces of boiling water.
- Mix well and enjoy.
- You may want to adjust water/tea mixture to your personal preference.
- Great at Christmas & good for gifting too.
- Makes 5 half pint jars plus a little bit more.
- Not enough for 6 half pint jars.
The Mechanics of Powdered Blends
Instant tea granules provide the primary structural foundation of this dry mix, acting as a hygroscopic agent that readily absorbs ambient humidity if storage jars lack airtight seals. Ground spices like cinnamon and cloves contain volatile aromatic oils that dissipate rapidly when exposed to air. Combining fine powders with granulated sugar substitutes requires thorough mechanical tumbling inside a sealed plastic bag to prevent pockets of concentrated spice from sinking to the bottom of the storage container.
Moisture Control and Clumping Prevention
Dry beverage powders depend entirely on absolute moisture exclusion to maintain a free-flowing texture over months of storage. Even microscopic amounts of water vapor entering a half-pint glass jar will cause the citric acid present in the lemonade and orange drink mixes to react with sugar substitutes, forming hard, impenetrable blocks. Storing finished jars in a dark pantry maintained below 70 degrees Fahrenheit arrests this degradation process entirely.
Dilution Ratios and Thermal Extraction
Extracting the full flavor profile from ground cloves and cinnamon requires water heated to a rolling boil of at least 212 degrees Fahrenheit to break down cellular plant walls. Using precisely one tablespoon of dry mix per eight ounces of water ensures the optimal concentration of soluble solids. Stir vigorously for fifteen seconds to dissolve the fine tea particles completely before consumption.
