Tea, iced, brewed, black, unsweetened
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the classic, refreshing base for iced tea: black tea leaves steeped in hot water, then chilled to a crisp, clean finish. It has a robust, slightly malty flavor with a pleasant astringency, and its deep amber color is iconic. Nutritionally, it is virtually a zero-calorie beverage, containing only trace amounts of carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 100% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its crisp, clean refreshment that cuts through heat and thirst, and its incredible versatility as a blank canvas for lemon, mint, or fruit infusions. It's a cultural staple in many regions, symbolizing hospitality and simple daily comfort.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The natural tannins can cause a dry, puckering mouthfeel or mild stomach upset for some, especially when consumed strong or on an empty stomach. To counteract this, brew for a shorter time, add a splash of milk or lemon juice (which softens tannins), or enjoy it with a small snack.
Key benefits
- Provides hydration without calories or sugar.
- Contains antioxidants like theaflavins from black tea.
- Offers a mild, natural caffeine boost for alertness.
- Serves as a versatile, unsweetened base for many flavors.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The practice of iced tea in America was popularized at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, where a tea merchant, struggling to sell hot tea in a heatwave, poured it over ice and sparked a nationwide trend.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 99.7 g |
| Energy | 1.0 kcal |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.30 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.02 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 3.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 1.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 37.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 3.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.02 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 5.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 5.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 5.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.40 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 20.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 2.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Cookies, animal crackers (includes arrowroot, tea biscuits) — USDA does not publish this profile for Tea.
| Tryptophan | 0.10 g |
| Threonine | 0.19 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.26 g |
| Leucine | 0.47 g |
| Lysine | 0.24 g |
| Methionine | 0.12 g |
| Cystine | 0.15 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.32 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.20 g |
| Valine | 0.30 g |
| Arginine | 0.26 g |
| Histidine | 0.14 g |
| Alanine | 0.21 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.29 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.3 g |
| Glycine | 0.23 g |
| Proline | 0.76 g |
| Serine | 0.36 g |
FAQ
Does brewing black tea for iced tea change its caffeine content?
Brewing a strong concentrate (often double-strength) to compensate for ice dilution does extract more caffeine per ounce of liquid. However, the final caffeine in a diluted glass is similar to hot tea, as the total leaves used are spread across more volume.
Why does my brewed iced tea become cloudy or murky?
This is called 'cream down,' caused by caffeine and tannins bonding as the tea cools. It's harmless. To minimize it, cool the tea quickly, avoid using hard water, or add a small amount of boiling water to the cooled tea.
Is there a difference in taste between sun tea and traditionally brewed iced tea?
Yes. Sun tea, brewed slowly in the sun with cool water, extracts fewer tannins and caffeine, resulting in a smoother, less bitter but potentially weaker flavor. Traditionally brewed tea uses heat for a faster, fuller, and more robust extraction.
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 0.01 kcal/g · 0% 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: 0.08 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.