McDonald's uses a blend of Orange Pekoe and Pekoe Cut Black Tea for its hot and iced teas in the U.S., brewed fresh with filtered water, with the sweet version adding a liquid "medium invert sugar" sweetener for consistent flavor. While some locations or countries (like Canada or the UK) might offer different varieties (Earl Grey, Green Tea, English Breakfast), the core U.S. iced and hot tea is this specific black tea blend.
McDonald's Iced Tea recipe features a brisk blend of orange pekoe black tea, freshly brewed and served ice cold. Wondering if there are any calories in Unsweet Tea from McDonald's? Unsweetened Iced Tea is a zero-calorie, sugar-free iced tea that pairs perfectly with your menu favorites.
According to McDonald's website, the chain uses a blend of orange pekoe black tea. No, orange pekoe isn't orange-flavored — it's not exactly a type of tea, either. Instead, it refers to the size of the leaves. Saying that a blend is made with orange pekoe is about as helpful as saying it's made from tea.
It's your time to enjoy a long, slow sip of delicious and delectable tea. Choose from Orange Pekoe, Earl Grey, Peppermint or Green Tea – and enjoy.
Instead, orange pekoe is part of a classification system for black tea, based on the origin, quality and size of the leaves. Orange pekoe, then, is a particular grade of black tea. Orange pekoe on the label is a gauge of premium quality and signifies that the tea consists of whole loose leaves only.
If you count the tea bud, the orange pekoe is the third leaf on the branch. So I think what you're looking for is just a robust unflavored black tea. My personal favorite are blacks made from the tea buds, particularly golden needle dian hongs like the ones Yunnan Sourcing and many other good vendors sell.
“Green tea wins as the most healthy tea,” says Ashley Simper, the manager of dietetic services with OSF HealthCare “Drinking green tea, at least three or more cups a day, leads to health benefits when it comes to cardiovascular disease, cancer and the overall risk of mortality.”
When I worked at McDonald's they always used the Lipton tea and before they started using liquid sugar they used a 4lb bag of sugar for a big bucket of tea. They do it a lot differently now. Because they make them straight in the metal containers now.
McDonald's
It's an incredibly drinkable tea: quite sweet but balanced with actual tea flavor. Sure, it might make a Northerner's teeth hurt (just ask my Massachusetts-born husband), but as far as fast food sweet teas go, it's a solid choice.
McDonald's makes its sweet tea fresh every day using filtered water, a black tea blend, and despite what you saw on TikTok, a sweetener, not 4 pounds of sugar.
The answer lies in the fact that each McDonald's franchise can set its own prices. This means drink upcharges are the franchise owner's decision, not something determined by the corporation.
Why? Because the fast food giant's sweet tea formula keeps things simple: fresh-brewed black tea, plenty of sugar, and consistency across locations. It's so sweet, in fact, that it went viral in 2023 on TikTok when an employee was seen pouring a four-pound bag of granulated sugar into a bucket.
The drink is made from high-quality tea leaves that are brewed to perfection, ensuring a smooth, delicious flavor. Unlike sugary alternatives, the unsweetened version allows you to enjoy the pure essence of tea without the added calories, making it a preferred choice for those conscious of their sugar intake.
A single espresso is the cheapest at around £1.09, followed by tea at £1.29 and an Americano at £1.69. All prices are for medium size unless stated.
McDonald's Turmeric Latte combines turmeric and ginger in perfect measures with a serving of pure milk. Turmeric helps provide relief from cough and cold, eases sore throat and aids in improved blood circulation, while ginger plays its role as an anti-inflammatory andcombatsinfection.
The unhealthiest item at McDonald's is often cited as the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes, packing over 1,300 calories, nearly a full day's sodium, and significant saturated fat, making it a calorie and nutrient bomb, with other contenders including large shakes, certain Angus burgers, and large fries.
Wondering what tea does McDonald's use? It's a flavorful mix of orange pekoe & pekoe cut black tea. There are 10 calories in a small McDonald's Hot Tea. Enjoy a McDonald's Hot Tea at the nearest McDonald's when you order with Mobile Order & Pay!
The healthiest iced tea is typically unsweetened and made with natural ingredients. Herbal teas, such as chamomile, peppermint or hibiscus, are caffeine-free and offer various health benefits.
About Lipton
The Pepsi Lipton Tea partnership is a joint venture between PepsiCo and Unilever. The partnership includes a complete portfolio of ready- to-drink iced teas for every occasion, including Lipton Iced Tea, Pure Leaf Iced Tea and Brisk Iced Tea.
Some of the other ingredients in the cup include ice, and invert sugar, which “is an aqueous solution of inverted or partly inverted, refined or partly refined sucrose,” according to the Food and Drug Administration. McDonald's also notes that in a large cup of the sweet tea, there are 40 grams of sugar.
Unsweetened iced tea can be a great addition to your weight loss journey. Compared to sugary beverages like soda or fruit juices, unsweetened iced tea is low in calories and natural sugars, making it a healthier alternative. It can also help control food cravings and manage hunger.
Teas that are unhealthy include comfrey, kava kava, black, and other teas. A warm cup of tea is a refreshing and soothing drink.
When you next make a cup of tea don't throw away the old bag because it has many uses that you might not know about. Black tea contains tannic acid and theobromine which removes heat from sunburn so rubbing cold tea water on sore skin will soothe pain. Old tea bags can also be used to flavour rice or pasta.
The best teas for digestion include peppermint tea, dandelion root tea, chamomile tea, licorice root tea, and pu-erh tea. Whether you've had a little too much to eat or just want some help soothing your stomach and improving your digestive system, tea can be a great way to relax and unwind after a meal.