Summer is almost here in the northern hemisphere, but rising temperatures don’t mean you’ll need to stop enjoying tea. Here are a few surprising ways tea can help you beat the summer heat.
Drinking Hot Tea Can Cool You Down
It might seem counterintuitive, but drinking tea can help you cool down by triggering your body’s natural cooling mechanism. Hot drinks like tea activate nerve receptors in the mouth and throat, sending signals to the hypothalamus (the part of the brain responsible for temperature regulation). Sweat production is increased, and heat from the body is absorbed as it evaporates. This will work best on a hot, dry day.
Choose Teas That Need a Lower Water Temperature
Sometimes I just can’t bring myself to drink something piping hot on an extremely warm and humid day. The good news is that not all teas need boiling water. Green teas are my go-to this time of year because they are best brewed at 175℉ or less in most cases. Gyokuro in particular is made with water that is just barely lukewarm. Many white teas also do well when brewed with lower temperature water.
Cold Brewing
Did you know that you can make tea without using any heat at all? Summer is always cold brew tea season in my house. All you need to do is place tea leaves into a covered container, fill up the rest with water, and pop it in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours. The tea will slowly extract without drawing out the bitter compounds that very hot water can sometimes overextract. Cold brewed tea will naturally taste smoother and sweeter as a result.
Another fun option is ice brewing. Place a handful of ice cubes on top of your tea leaves and let them slowly melt. The amount of time it takes might depend on the ambient temperature, but you can sneak small sips if you’re feeling impatient. This method works particularly well for Japanese green teas as it will enhance the umami factor.
Add Mint
Whether it is fresh or dried, adding mint to your tea can add a refreshing taste and help you beat the summer heat at the same time. It is rich in menthol, a chemical compound that tricks sensors in our mouths into feeling cold. That explains why mint chocolate chip is one of my favorite ice cream flavors!
Moroccan Mint Tea
In Morocco, strongly brewed gunpowder green tea is served with copious amounts of sugar and fresh mint. It is poured from a height to aerate the tea and create a frothy appearance. Traditionally, at least 3 glasses are served. There is a famous proverb that references this.
The first glass is as gentle as life, the second glass is as strong as love, the third glass is as bitter as death.
Preventing and Treating Sunburn
Some studies have found that the catechins in green tea could help prevent sunburn. That being said, drinking tea will never replace taking proper precautions to protect your skin. If you do happen to get sunburn, applying room-temperature tea to the area can help reduce discomfort and inflammation. My mother often used this home remedy for me and my siblings after long days at the beach.
How do you use tea to help beat the summer heat? What kinds of tea do you enjoy most this time of year? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
This post was originally published on July 9th, 2013. It was revised and updated on June 9th, 2025.
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