Can you feel that? It’s the thick and gross humidity of summer, and while iced coffee is still most folks’ go-to for a boost in the warmer months, bottled iced teas are a worthy grab-and-go option. And arguably no destination in Westchester has a more supreme selection of Green, Chai at eal than Whole Foods. We decided to taste test a handful available on their shelves and rank them from best to worst, or if you prefer, take ’em or leaf ’em.
1. Heart of Tea Classic: As soon as it hits your lips, there’s a great, rich flavor, similar to what you’d experience from a hot cup. The only downside is its decent amount of sugar per bottle.
2. Teas’Tea Mint Green Tea: While it’s sometimes hard to compare sweetened and unsweetened varities, this one took that guessing game to the next level. I had to check the label several times to make sure there was no sugar, as the natural sweetness of the mint is very noticeable.
3. Plan Tea Black Infused with Mint: While there are others from Plan Tea in this lineup, this mint-infused black selection is the most cooling and well-rounded among them.
4. Honest Tea Honey Green Tea: Honest Tea has always been one of my favorites, and this one is no exception. The honey shines through, complementing the green tea beautifully, ultimately landing it right in the middle of the sweetness spectrum.
5. Steaz Iced Green Tea: The only tea that I tried out of a can, Steaz has a very sweet upfront taste that fades into mellowness as it swirls around your mouth. You catch plenty of hibiscus notes, and this is a very refreshing, albeit unconventional offering.
6. Plan Tea Green Tea Infused with Mango: If you’re looking for something that’s going to challenge your taste buds, give this flavor Plan Tea twist a spin.
7. Argo Tea Carolina Honey: Without a doubt this was one of the sweetest for sale (no wonder, with 28 grams of sugar), although it does deliver its promised, honeyed taste.
8. Plan Tea Black Tea with Vanilla and Basil: Another oddity, this black tea’s profile is complicated by an array of herbs and spices that drown out its true taste.
9. Oi Ocha: The only other completely unsweetened tea we sampled, this is a staple at many Japanese specialty stores and restaurants. It’s essentially green tea poured directly into a bottle. There’s no hint of sweetness, and it’s just is a little too plain for my tastes.
10. Joe Tea Lemon: If you’re looking for something similar to Snapple or Arizona, then Joe Tea is for you. With a whopping 60 grams of sugar per bottle, it’s tasty but alarmingly sweet.
Images courtesy of manufacturers
