What is Tim Hortons‘ Steeped Tea in 2024? The Complete Guide
If you‘re a regular Tim Hortons customer, you may have noticed the steeped tea option on the menu. With specialty tea and classic tea bags, how is the steeped tea offering different? Read on for a comprehensive guide on what exactly Tim Hortons‘ steeped tea is, who it appeals to, nutrition information, availability, and how it compares to other tea options on the menu.
A Brief History of Steeped Tea at Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons first introduced steeped tea back in 2009 to appeal to tea drinkers looking for a stronger, richer flavor compared to standard tea bags steeped in hot water.
Over the past 14 years, the steeped tea has continued to be popular, accounting for over 15% of hot beverage sales in 2021 according to internal data. Tim Hortons sells over 500,000 cups of steeped tea nationwide every day.
What Kind of Steeped Tea Does Tim Hortons Offer?
Tim Hortons currently offers Orange Pekoe steeped tea. This is a black tea blend that steeps a full-bodied, aromatic cup of tea with floral and citrusy notes.
The Orange Pekoe used in Tim Hortons‘ steeped tea is sourced from Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM farms to ensure ethical and sustainable farming practices.
Steeped Tea by the Numbers: Sizes, Calories, and Caffeine Content
Tim Hortons serves its steeped tea in small, medium, large and extra-large sizes.
As an unsweetened, zero calorie beverage, it‘s a great option if you‘re looking to cut down on sugar and calories.
| Size | Calories | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 0 | 90 mg |
| Medium | 0 | 125 mg |
| Large | 0 | 175 mg |
| Extra-Large | 0 | 210 mg |
*Nutrition information from Tim Hortons nutrition data
As you can see, the caffeine content ranges from 90mg per small up to 210mg per extra-large, making it a solid option for tea drinkers seeking a little extra caffeine boost.
Customizing Your Steeped Tea Order
A major benefit of steeped tea over specialty tea bags is that the restaurant brews a whole batch of steeped tea together. This means you can easily customize the steeped tea to your preferences:
- Add milk, cream, or dairy-free milk alternatives like almond or oat milk
- Sweeten with sugar or reduced-calorie sweeteners
- Flavor it up with pumps of tasty syrup flavors like french vanilla or caramel
And while specialty tea allows more freedom in tea flavors (Mint, Lemon Ginger Orange Pekoe, etc.), the steeped tea is your best bet for teas that are freshly made all morning.
Availability and Brewing Process
You can order a hot cup of steeped Orange Pekoe tea all day at Tim Hortons. It‘s available when stores open in the morning through close.
Behind the counters, employees brew small batches of steeped tea continuously throughout the day. They first fill a tea dispenser with hot water, then add Orange Pekoe tea bags to steep and sit for a few minutes. This yields a strong, aromatic tea.
Employees then periodically brew fresh small batches to make sure what‘s on tap stays piping hot and perfectly steeped.
How Steeped Tea Compares to Specialty Tea
While steeped tea features just one Orange Pekoe variety, specialty teas encompass all sorts of flavors and tea blends.
| Steeped Tea | Specialty Tea |
|---|---|
| Brewed in large batches by employees | Individual tea bags steeped per order |
| Only Orange Pekoe flavor | Many flavors like Mint, Lemon, Chai Tea |
| Customizable with milk, sweeteners, syrups | Limited customization |
| Freshly brewed in small batches all day | Tea bags steeped on the spot when ordered |
| Higher caffeine content | Lower caffeine |
So in summary:
- Steeped tea is pre-brewed by staff and ready to order all day
- Specialty tea features diverse flavors using tea bags steeped per customer order
Should You Try Tim Hortons Steeped Tea?
If you enjoy bold, robust black tea flavors, Tim Hortons Orange Pekoe steeped tea makes for an affordable everyday tea option. And as a zero-calorie, customizable beverage available all hours of the day, it accommodates low-calorie diets and caffeine-lovers alike.
Next time you visit Tim Hortons, try substituting your usual coffee or tea order for a fresh cup of Orange Pekoe steeped tea. Customize it to your preferences and see if the floral, citrus notes of this pre-brewed tea hit the spot.
