Are you a tea lover who can’t resist the deliciousness of Panera green tea? Do you find yourself daydreaming about the sweet, refreshing taste of this beverage, but don’t want to break the bank every time you crave it?
Well, my friend, you’re in luck because today we’re spilling the tea on a Panera green tea copycat recipe that will make you forget all about the overpriced version.
Get ready to impress your taste buds and your wallet with this simple and easy recipe that will have you saying,
“Move over, Panera, there’s a new tea in town!” So, sit back, relax, and get ready to brew up a storm with this tea-riffic recipe.
What is Panera Green Tea?
Panera Green Tea is a refreshing beverage served at Panera Bread, a popular American bakery-cafe chain.
The tea is made with high-quality green tea leaves, infused with flavors of lemongrass and spearmint, and sweetened with a touch of pure cane sugar.
It is served over ice, making it a perfect thirst quencher on a hot summer day. Panera Green Tea is a fan favorite, known for its delicious taste and health benefits associated with green tea.
What is Green Tea or Refreshing Green Tea
Green tea is a type of tea that is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.
Unlike black tea, which is fully oxidized, green tea is minimally oxidized, preserving its natural antioxidants and polyphenols.
These compounds are believed to provide numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, improving brain function, and aiding in weight loss.
Refreshing green tea is a popular way to consume this healthy beverage, as it is often served chilled with added flavors such as lemongrass or mint, making it a refreshing and tasty alternative to sugary sodas and juices.
How to Make Panera Papaya Green Tea
Unfortunately, Panera Bread does not currently offer Papaya Green Tea on its menu. However, you can make a delicious green tea and papaya infusion at home by following these simple steps:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups water
- 4 green tea bags
- 1 cup fresh papaya, diced
- Honey or sugar, to taste
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Boil the water in a pot, then remove from heat and let it cool for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the green tea bags and let them steep for 3-4 minutes, or until the water turns a light golden-green color.
- Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
- In a blender, puree the diced papaya until smooth.
- Strain the papaya puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove any fibers or seeds.
- Add the papaya puree to the cooled green tea and stir well.
- Add honey or sugar to taste, if desired.
- Chill the tea in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Serve the papaya green tea over ice and enjoy!
Does Panera Green Tea Have Caffeine?
Yes, Panera Green Tea contains caffeine. Green tea naturally contains caffeine, although the amount can vary depending on the type and brewing method.
Panera Green Tea is made with green tea leaves and therefore contains caffeine.
However, the exact amount of caffeine in Panera Green Tea may vary depending on factors such as the brewing time, water temperature, and the number of tea leaves used.
Generally, a cup of green tea contains around 25-35 mg of caffeine, which is significantly less than a cup of coffee.
Does Green Tea Help You Sleep
While green tea is known for its many health benefits, including being a source of antioxidants and having a calming effect, it is not typically recommended for consumption just before bed.
This is because green tea does contain caffeine, which can interfere with sleep.
Caffeine is a stimulant that can make you feel more alert and awake, and it can take several hours for your body to fully metabolize it.
As a result, drinking green tea before bed may make it more difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night.
That being said, if you still want to enjoy green tea in the evening, you can try choosing a decaffeinated variety or brewing the tea for a shorter amount of time to reduce the caffeine content.
Additionally, some herbal teas, such as chamomile or valerian root, are known for their relaxing and sleep-promoting properties and may be a better choice for those looking for a bedtime beverage.
As always, it’s best to listen to your body and avoid consuming anything that makes it difficult for you to get a good night’s rest.
How Much Sugar in Panera Green Tea?
Panera Green Tea is lightly sweetened with pure cane sugar. The exact amount of sugar in a serving of Panera Green Tea can vary depending on the size of the serving and the specific recipe used by the cafe.
However, according to Panera Bread’s website, a 16-ounce (medium) serving of their Green Tea contains 22 grams of sugar.
It’s worth noting that this amount of sugar is relatively high compared to other green tea beverages, which may be unsweetened or contain little to no added sugar.
If you’re watching your sugar intake, you may want to consider requesting less sugar or ordering an unsweetened version of the tea.
Best Way To Store Copycat Panera Papaya Green Tea
The best way to store your homemade copycat Panera Papaya Green Tea is to place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
Make sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent any air from getting in, which can cause the tea to oxidize and lose its flavor over time.
When storing the tea, it’s a good idea to keep it separate from any other food or beverages with strong odors, as green tea can easily absorb these odors and become tainted.
Also, try to consume the tea within 2-3 days of making it for the best flavor and freshness.
If you want to extend the shelf life of your green tea, you can also freeze it in ice cube trays and then transfer the frozen cubes to a resealable freezer bag.
This can help to preserve the flavor and quality of the tea for longer periods.
To enjoy the tea, simply thaw the cubes in the refrigerator or add them directly to your glass for a refreshing and chilled beverage.
Instant Pot Copycat Panera Green Tea
Ingredients:
- 4 cups water
- 4 green tea bags
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Add the water, green tea bags, honey, and lemon juice to the Instant Pot and stir well.
- Close the lid and set the valve to “sealing.”
- Select the “manual” or “pressure cook” function and set the timer for 4 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and remove the tea bags.
- Let the tea cool to room temperature.
- Chill the tea in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Serve the green tea over ice and enjoy!
This Instant Pot recipe is a quick and easy way to make a copycat version of Panera’s delicious Green Tea at home. The honey and lemon juice add a touch of sweetness and tanginess to the tea, making it a refreshing and flavorful beverage.
Why Does Panera List Different Ingredients for The Passion Papaya Green Tea
Panera may list different ingredients for their Passion Papaya Green Tea depending on the location or region where it is being sold.
This may be due to differences in the availability of ingredients or variations in local taste preferences.
Another possibility is that Panera has updated its recipe over time, resulting in differences in the listed ingredients.
This could be due to a variety of factors, such as changes in sourcing or improvements in the recipe based on customer feedback or nutritional guidelines.
In any case, it’s always a good idea to check the specific ingredients listed on the menu or website for the location where you plan to purchase the Passion Papaya Green Tea to ensure that you are aware of any potential differences or allergens.
Why Use Instant Pot To Make Passion Papaya Green Tea
Using an Instant Pot to make Passion Papaya Green Tea is a convenient and efficient way to brew the tea. Here are a few reasons why:
- Speed: The Instant Pot heats up quickly and can brew tea in just a few minutes, which is much faster than traditional stovetop methods.
- Consistency: The Instant Pot maintains a consistent temperature throughout the brewing process, ensuring that the tea is brewed evenly and doesn’t overheat or scorch.
- Infusion: The high pressure in the Instant Pot helps to infuse the flavors of the papaya and other ingredients more thoroughly into the tea, resulting in a more flavorful and aromatic beverage.
- Ease of use: The Instant Pot is easy to operate and doesn’t require constant attention, making it a great option for busy or multitasking home cooks.
Overall, using an Instant Pot to make Passion Papaya Green Tea is a great way to save time and effort while still achieving a delicious and satisfying result.
FAQs about Copycat Panera Green Tea Recipe
The preparation time for Copycat Panera Green Tea can vary depending on the recipe you are using, but it typically takes between 10 and 15 minutes to brew the tea and mix in any additional ingredients.
Yes, you can make unsweetened Copycat Panera Green Tea by simply omitting the sweeteners or using a sugar substitute, such as honey, agave nectar, or stevia.
The tea used in Copycat Panera Green Tea is typically a high-quality green tea, such as Sencha or gunpowder green tea. However, you can also experiment with other varieties of green tea to find your preferred taste.
You can adjust the sweetness of Copycat Panera Green Tea by adding more or less sweetener to the recipe, depending on your personal preference.
Yes, you can make a large batch of Copycat Panera Green Tea in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the tea in ice cube trays and store the frozen cubes in a resealable freezer bag for longer-term storage.
Yes, you can experiment with different fruits and flavors in Copycat Panera Green Tea, such as passion fruit, mango, or strawberry. Just be sure to adjust the amount of sweetener and other ingredients accordingly to balance the flavors.
Nutrition Facts
The nutrition facts for this recipe can vary depending on the ingredients used.
However, here is an example of the approximate nutritional information for a 16-ounce serving of green tea with papaya and honey:
- Calories: 80
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 10mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 21g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 20g
- Protein: 0g
Keep in mind that the nutritional content may change depending on the amount of sweetener used and the type of green tea used in the recipe. If you are concerned about the nutritional content of your Copycat Panera Green Tea, be sure to consult with a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Conclusion
Copycat Panera Green Tea is a refreshing and delicious beverage that can be enjoyed at home with just a few simple ingredients.
Whether you prefer to make it on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot, this recipe can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences.
By using high-quality green tea and fresh fruit, you can enjoy all the health benefits of green tea while also satisfying your sweet tooth.
With the convenience of being able to make it at home, you can enjoy a taste of Panera anytime you want!
Panera Green Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 4 green tea bags
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Add the water, green tea bags, honey, and lemon juice to the Instant Pot and stir well.
- Close the lid and set the valve to “sealing.”
- Select the “manual” or “pressure cook” function and set the timer for 4 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and remove the tea bags.
- Let the tea cool to room temperature.
- Chill the tea in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Serve the green tea over ice and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Facts
The nutrition facts for Copycat Panera Green Tea can vary depending on the recipe and ingredients used. However, here is an example of the approximate nutritional information for a 16-ounce serving of green tea with papaya and honey:- Calories: 80
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 10mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 21g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 20g
- Protein: 0g
