Tea, iced, instant, black, pre-sweetened with sugar
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a convenient, ready-to-drink beverage made from dissolved black tea powder and sugar, offering a sweet, brisk flavor with a smooth, non-astringent texture. It is primarily a source of quick energy from carbohydrates, with a very low calorie count of just 30 kcal per 100g. The drink provides a simple, refreshing caffeine boost without the complexity of brewed tea.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 98% carbs · 2% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its immediate, sweet refreshment and nostalgic comfort, often evoking memories of summer days or casual gatherings. Its consistent, straightforward flavor and ease of preparation make it a reliable go-to for a quick thirst-quencher.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (7.07g per 100g) can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it unsuitable for those managing diabetes or insulin resistance. To mitigate this, consume it in moderation, pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat (like a handful of nuts), or dilute it with water to reduce sugar intake per serving.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from simple carbohydrates.
- Offers a mild caffeine boost for alertness and focus.
- Extremely low in fat and protein, making it a light beverage choice.
- Convenient and requires no preparation, ideal for on-the-go consumption.
- Hydrating, contributing to daily fluid intake.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Instant iced tea powder often contains citric acid and a small amount of salt to enhance flavor and preserve color, which can make it taste more 'bright' than traditionally brewed tea.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 92.5 g |
| Energy | 30.0 kcal |
| Protein | 0.01 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.05 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 7.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.10 g |
| Total Sugars | 7.1 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 3.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.02 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 1.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 13.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 4.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.01 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.10 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 | 3.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.01 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 | 0.01 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 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 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
How does instant iced tea differ from brewed iced tea?
Instant iced tea is made from a soluble powder that dissolves in water, offering a consistent flavor and texture, while brewed iced tea is made by steeping tea leaves or bags in hot water and then cooling it, which can result in more complex flavors and potential bitterness.
Is this drink suitable for people with dietary restrictions?
It is generally suitable for vegan and gluten-free diets, but those with diabetes or sugar sensitivities should be cautious due to its high sugar content. Always check the label for any added allergens or preservatives.
Can I reduce the sugar in this drink?
Yes, you can dilute it with water or unsweetened tea to lower the sugar concentration, or use a sugar-free version of the instant mix if available. Adding a splash of lemon juice can also enhance the flavor without adding sugar.
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 0.30 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.1 g fiber · 7.1 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: 0.31 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.