Blackberry Tea Benefits Plus How to Make It

Blackberries are a popular summertime fruit. Many berry enthusiasts pick these berries from mountaintops and valley floors across North America. Their sweet and tangy flavor is the perfect addition to cobblers, yogurt, and even tea.

Blackberry tea can be made from blackberry leaves as well as the fresh berries. Both forms of the herbal tisane offer health benefits and layered flavor that will satisfy any sweet craving. Learn more about blackberry tea including how to make it right here.

What Is Blackberry Tea?

Blackberry tea is typically made by infusing black tea with fresh blackberries. The flavored tea offers the bold and earthy notes of black tea with a touch of tart and sweet flavors thanks to the blackberries. Blackberry tea can also be made from the fresh or dried leaves of the blackberry plant and is known as blackberry leaf tea.

The blackberry plant is native to North America, Europe, and Asia and the tea can be made from homegrown plants or wild plants. The plant belongs to the Rubus genus, which includes other brambles such as raspberries and dewberries. The tea brews into a deep purple hue thanks to the presence of anthocyanins. The tart and earthy flavor is paired with an aromatic, fruity aroma. Blackberry tea is traditionally served as an iced tea, but can also be consumed as a hot beverage if desired.

Health Benefits of Blackberry Tea

1. Antioxidant-Rich

Blackberries contain high concentrations of antioxidants — including flavonoids, tannins, and polyphenols — that can help protect human health. These antioxidants work to prevent damage caused by free radicals — highly reactive cells that slowly cause a breakdown in normal cellular processes. The damage caused by free radicals is known as oxidative stress, which has been linked to serious ailments ranging from cognitive problems and cancer to premature aging (1).

The phenolic and antioxidant properties of blackberry tea may be beneficial for skin health and the dark berries are often found in natural skincare products. These antioxidants boast anti-inflammatory properties that work to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles (2). These antioxidants may also boast anticancer properties though more research is needed to determine their efficacy.

2. Heart Benefits

The anthocyanins in blackberries may help to protect heart health by directly affecting blood pressure. Research published in 2011 found that blackberries, along with blueberries and strawberries effectively lowered blood pressure and modulated blood sugar levels (3). These benefits are particularly useful for people who may have one or more risk factors for heart disease.

3. Digestive System Aid

Drinking blackberry tea can help to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes that enable the body to break down food more efficiently. Since blackberry tea is a blend of black or green tea leaves and blackberries, these herbal infusions contain a moderate amount of caffeine. The low caffeine levels may help people who suffer from constipation since it is a well-known laxative.

4. Immune Booster

Blackberries contain vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin E which are all beneficial for a healthy immune system. Vitamin C can help shorten the duration and severity of the common cold and may also signal improved immune system response when a virus or pathogen is identified (4). Vitamin K also plays a significant role in blood clotting and can help speed up the healing process of wounds. In fact, one of the traditional uses of blackberries by the Ancient Greeks was for wounds.

Side Effects of Blackberry Tea

Always seek medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional before consuming herbal teas. These teas may interact with certain medications and cause side effects including allergic reactions.

Blackberry tea is safe to consume in moderate amounts. People who are allergic to blackberry bushes or related plants should avoid this herbal tea. Stop drinking the tea if you experience any allergy symptoms including sneezing, difficulty breathing, or itchiness.

Pregnant women should use blackberry tea with caution as the tea has been shown to ease labor pain and induce contractions. This may cause problems including miscarriage.

Excessive consumption of blackberry tea or blackberry extract can cause stomach upset — including nausea and diarrhea. Limit intake to two or three cups per day, or less if you have a sensitivity to caffeine.

How to Make Blackberry Tea

Ingredients:

• 6 cups water
• 3 cups fresh raspberries
• 3 tablespoons Cup & Leaf English Breakfast Black Tea or 6 black tea bags
• 1 cup sugar

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a rapid boil in a large saucepan on the stove.
2. In a large glass pitcher, combine the raspberries and sugar, gently crushing the berries to release flavor.
3. Once the water reaches a boil, add in the black tea leaves to the boiling water and remove from heat. Steep for 3 to 4 minutes before removing the tea leaves. Longer steeping times may result in astringent flavors so watch the steep time closely.
4. Pour the tea concentrate into the pitcher and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
5. Serve immediately in tall glasses filled with ice cubes or store in the refrigerator for later use.

Blackberry Tea Recap

The health benefits of blackberries are legendary thanks to their high antioxidant content. These teas are a delicious blend of health benefits and powerful fruity flavor. enjoy an ice-cold glass of blackberry tea or relish a hot mug of the tart flavors.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5514576/

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068482/

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23440782