When you think of tea, the first thing that comes to mind is a lovely cup of steaming beverage. Instead, you might consider Iced Tea. In either case, the image is always accompanied by recollections of the flavor. However, in both of these images, tea is merely a beverage. While that is the most common way for people around the world to enjoy the many different types of tea, there are a few other things you can do with this herb in the kitchen.

Here are some inventive and delectable 7 Unusual Tea Recipes you didn't know about in which you can use tea as a food – whether as a flavor or as the base:

Many people end up spending a lot of money on specialized herbed butter. However, if you are a little creative and hands-on, you do not have to do so. Simply select a flavor from the various types of tea, place it in a saucepan with melted butter, and leave it for a few minutes. When you remove the teabag, you'll notice that the butter has been infused with the tea flavor. This can go perfectly for preparing omelets, french toast, or pancakes.

Tea-flavored cookies are available. Simply powder the tea from tea bags and add it to the other ingredients that go into making your cooking dough. There are several recipes available for this purpose, as well as information on which ingredients work best for a tea-based dough.

You can do this in a variety of ways, and the internet is full of recipes using various types of tea. Using the same method as for infusing butter with tea, you can infuse the milk with tea. And once the milk has been flavored, you can use it as an ingredient in a blender with the other fruits and vegetables.

Sipping iced tea isn't always enough. The beverage can also be served ice cold! Simply boil tea, then cool it to room temperature before pouring it into an ice tray and freezing it. Tea-infused ice cubes can be mixed into your favorite juices, smoothies, or even iced tea!

Making pasta and soups necessitates the use of water. However, you can use tea as the base water for your pasta, soup, or vegetable broth if you prefer. This can enhance the flavor of the food. The most common method is to boil and prepare your tea, then allow it to cool to room temperature. You can use it for the broth once it has cooled. The possibilities are endless: put it to use.

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, some shops sold the perfect tea-centric snack combo that most Chinese-Americans will recognize: savory tea eggs paired with a White Tea drink. Tea eggs (also known as marble eggs due to their distinctive appearance) are hard-boiled eggs that have been cracked and then soaked in a tea broth to absorb its delicious, earthy flavor.

Tea leaves are ideal for adding a distinct flavor to a marinade, whether for tofu or steak. Adding green tea leaves, for example, is a creative way to add something extra to an Asian-inspired dish. The tea leaves add just enough flavor without being overpowering. Try your hand at this Whole Foods recipe for green tea-marinated sirloin tips.

Using tea leaves in sauces, such as this recipe for green tea stir-fry, adds a subtle context of earthy flavor to this already hearty dish.

Conclusion: 

Tea is delightful on its own, a warm, soothing cuppa when hot and a nice, refreshing break when iced. But I hope we've persuaded you to try tea next time you're deciding what to make for dinner or what to have for dessert. Use the examples above as a guide, but don't be afraid to experiment with different types of tea... you never know when you'll come up with a winning combination!