Tips

The Giant Orange Tea Takeover of Saigon: Gains and Pains?

Have you heard about the latest craze sweeping the streets of Saigon? Giant lemongrass tea is taking the city by storm, and everyone is curious about its benefits and whether it lives up to the hype.

Administrator

11 August, 2024

Delicious, Refreshing, and Incredibly Affordable

There’s a unanimous agreement among those who’ve tried this beverage—it’s the perfect refreshment, especially when you’re out and about under the scorching summer sun. All it takes is a glance at those towering cups of citrus tea stacked high, and you’ll feel a thirst that only this drink can quench.

The tea base is pre-brewed and poured into plastic cups, with a few slices of citrus added for a pop of color. All that’s left is for the buyer to add ice and a squeeze of fresh citrus juice, and it’s ready to enjoy!

For just 8,000–10,000 VND, you get a colossal 1-liter drink. It’s an offer too good to pass up!

Delicious and Affordable, But Not Particularly Nutritious

Ingredients

The tea used in these giant cups is a cheap, no-name brand, lacking clear ingredient lists and safety assurances. Sellers typically source it from markets like Binh Tay, and it’s commonly used in small street-side stalls and eateries as a complimentary drink for customers.

Given the low cost and lack of quality control, it’s challenging to determine the exact composition of this tea. More often than not, it’s made from older, broken tea leaves, without proper filtering or testing for heavy metals, microorganisms, or other harmful toxins.

The citrus slices in the drink are also not properly cleaned before use. They are purchased and immediately added to the tea without any rinsing.

Preparation

Ideally, tea should be brewed and consumed fresh, or at least refrigerated and consumed within 24 hours. However, that’s not the case with the tea used in these giant citrus tea cups.

The tea is brewed and then stored in plastic bottles or containers. This not only affects the flavor but also poses a health risk, as hot tea can cause the plastic to leach harmful chemicals, which then end up in the drink and, subsequently, your body.

To make matters worse, some vendors even brew the tea the night before and leave it out in the hot sun all day until it’s sold. Under these conditions and with this storage method, the antioxidants in the tea gradually oxidize, increasing the acid content, which is not beneficial for your health.

A quick glance around the tea stalls will also reveal unsanitary conditions, with trash, flies, and a general lack of hygiene in the preparation and selling area. This raises concerns about the overall cleanliness of the drink.

So, while that giant cup of citrus tea may quench your thirst, it also introduces a host of toxins and potential health hazards into your body.

If you’re looking for a refreshing drink while on the go, opt for something cleaner and healthier. And if you’re curious to try this unique beverage, we recommend sourcing your own ingredients and preparing it yourself to ensure hygiene and peace of mind!