Beverages, tea, instant, lemon, with added ascorbic acid
Whole food · Beverages
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a vibrant, instant lemon tea powder designed to dissolve quickly in hot or cold water, yielding a bright, tart, and refreshing beverage with a smooth, non-pulpy texture. Nutritionally, it's a concentrated source of carbohydrates, primarily from added sugars or sweeteners, providing a quick energy boost at 385 kcal per 100g. The addition of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) fortifies the drink and enhances its tangy lemon flavor.
Calorie split: 1% protein · 99% carbs · 1% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the nostalgic, comforting taste of classic lemonade that requires zero preparation—just stir and sip. Its versatility makes it a staple for quick refreshment at home, in offices, or on the go, embodying a simple, accessible pleasure.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary concern is its very high carbohydrate content, almost entirely from sugars, which can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes and is not suitable for low-carb or diabetic diets without strict portion control. To mitigate this, consider using only half a packet per serving, diluting it further, or pairing it with a source of protein or healthy fat (like nuts or yogurt) to slow sugar absorption. Also, check the label for sodium content, as some instant mixes contain added salt.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Fortified with Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to support immune function.
- Offers instant convenience for a flavorful, hydrating drink.
- The tart flavor can be more satisfying than plain water for some.
- Shelf-stable and easy to store for long periods.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'instant' tea process often involves spray-drying brewed tea into a fine powder, a technology perfected in the mid-20th century to meet the demand for convenience, much like instant coffee.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 0.30 g |
| Energy | 385 kcal |
| Energy | 1611 kj |
| Protein | 0.60 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.30 g |
| Ash | 1.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 97.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 3.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.16 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 11.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 14.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 217 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 5.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.10 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.03 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 3.0 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.70 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 100 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.20 mg |
| Niacin | 0.41 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.11 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.02 mg |
| Folate, total | 43.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 43.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 43.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Caffeine | 124 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.04 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.06 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.01 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.02 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.03 g |
| Glycine | 0.01 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is instant lemon tea the same as lemon-flavored tea bags?
No. Instant lemon tea is a pre-mixed powder containing tea solids, sugar, and flavoring that dissolves completely. A lemon tea bag typically contains dried tea leaves and sometimes dried lemon peel, requiring steeping and often separate sweetening.
Does it contain real lemon juice or just flavoring?
It varies by brand. Some use lemon juice powder or citric acid for tartness, while others rely on artificial or natural lemon flavoring. The ingredient list will specify.
Can I use it in baking?
Absolutely. It can be dissolved in a small amount of liquid and added to cake batters, cookie dough, or glazes to impart a concentrated lemon-tea flavor.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.85 kcal/g · 1% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.02 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.