Soursop Tea Recipe

Soursop tea is a refreshing, herbal tea made from the leaves of the soursop tree. This healthy beverage is loaded with antioxidants that boost your mood and immune system.

If you have a whole soursop fruit, then you have to try my Soursop Juice next! But if you’re in the mood for something hot and comforting, try another tea recipe, like this easy Honey Ginger Tea Recipe.

Soursop Leaf Tea

Soursop is a popular Caribbean fruit and in Jamaica, we use the flesh as well as the leaves. It’s been a traditional herbal remedy in Jamaica for generations. You don’t need tea bags to make soursop tea. All you need are leaves from the soursop tree and water!

It’s important to note, that there are two ways to make an herbal extract in water – infusions (hot water poured on top) or decoction (boiling) for stronger plant materials such as barks, roots and seeds. For this tea, we use a decoction method.

Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• Easy to Prepare – once you get your hands on soursop tea leaves, making it is a breeze. After washing the leaves, simply boil, simmer, steep, strain and finally, sweeten!
• Helps Treat Various Health Conditions  – soursop tea is best known for its health benefits such as its anti-inflammatory properties, ability to treat bacterial and parasitic infections, helps to treat diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and is great for the nervous system and boosting mood. It’s also loaded with vitamin c.
• Known to Inhibit Cancer Cells – the chemical make-up of soursop helps our bodies in various ways it is particularly said to rid and fight certains kinds of cancer and cancer cells (breast cancer cells, liver, small intestine etc.)
• Customizable – drink it hot or cold, add honey, fresh herbs, or sugar; it’s totally up to you!

What is Soursop Tea (Soursop Leaf Extract)?

Soursop tea is made from the leaves of the soursop tree. You can use fresh or dry leaves to brew it.

What is Soursop?

Soursop, also known as guanabana graviola, paw-paw and annona muricata (scientific name), is part of the custard apple family (annonaceae family). It’s native to tropical regions in South America.

The fruit is large and oval-shaped with a bumpy green exterior, and white flesh. Raw soursop is sweet, tart, and creamy. Use it to make everything from juices to ice cream.

The soursop plant has been used in traditional medicine. The leaves are used to make tea, like this soursop leaf tea.

Soursop Tea Benefits

• Relieve Stomach Issues – It’s sometimes used as a remedy for gastrointestinal issues. It’s believed to have potential anti-parasitic properties and might aid in promoting healthy digestion and preventing ulcers.
• Antioxidant Properties – soursop leaves contain compounds like acetogenins, flavonoids, and other antioxidants that can help combat oxidative stress in the body. Antioxidants play a role in protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals.
• Boosts Immune System – its believed to possess immune-boosting properties, which can help the body defend against illnesses and infections.
• Stress and Anxiety Relief – soursop tea is believed to have calming effects that might help reduce stress and anxiety.
• Anti-Parasitic – soursop leaves are a great natural source of annonaceous acetogenin compounds (AGEs). This compound is best known for its pesticidal, antitumor, and antiparasitic properties.

How Does Soursop Tea Taste?

Soursop tea has a strong, herbal taste with citrus notes, although some describe it as sour. While soursop itself is naturally sweet, the tea might have a mild natural sweetness. You can always add sweeteners like honey or sugar to enhance the sweetness.

What’s Needed to Make This Recipe (Kitchen Tools and Equipment)

• Medium Pot – to brew the tea leaves in boiling water.

Ingredients and Ingredient Notes

• Soursop Leaves – use fresh or dried leaves. In Jamaica, we use dry leaves.
• Water – use filtered water for the best results.

How to Prepare Soursop Tea Leaves

Before making soursop tea, you must thoroughly rinse the leaves to remove any dirt or debris. Rinse the leaves under cold water. Then, they are ready to brew. Alternatively, you can take one extra step and dry them

How to Make Dried Soursop Tea Leaves

After washing the fresh leaves, air dry them in a cool. dry space away from the sun. This process takes about one week.

How to Make Soursop Tea

• Rinse the soursop leaves thoroughly under cool water to remove any dirt or debris. In a pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil then add the soursop leaves to the pot. Reduce heat to a simmer and let the leaves steep in the hot water for about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Using a fine mesh strainer/sieve, strain the tea to remove the soursop leaves into a mug. Sweeten with honey, sugar, or other sweeteners if desired and enjoy!

Recipe Substitutions and Tips

• Sweetener – use sugar, honey or agave.
• Herbs & Spices– for an aromatic quality, infuse the water with lavender, mint, cinnamon sticks, ginger or lemongrass.
• Milk – if you like a creamy tea, consider adding a splash of milk, half and half, or condensed milk. For dairy-free options, try coconut milk, coconut condensed milk, almond milk or oat milk.

Recipe Notes and Tips for Success

• Dry soursop leaves make for a stronger tea so you need less. If using fresh soursop leaves, you will need more to get a similar flavour.
• If you are drying your own leaves, do not place them in the sun. Doing so can deplete the leaves of their nutrients.

Can I Make this Ahead of Time?

Yes. See below for instructions.

Storage Instructions

Store tea in the fridge in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Reheating Instructions

You can drink it straight out of the fridge or reheat it in the microwave.

Soursop Tea Side Effects

The leaves contain a neurotoxin called annonacin, which may effect the nervous system and is said to cause symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease. However, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support this claim and this tea is used widely across the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Interested in more Health Recipes? Check These Out!

• The Best Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe
• Caribbean Chocolate Tea (Cocoa Tea)
• Jamaican Carrot Juice (Blender and Juicer Method)
• Immunity and Energy Boosting Drink
• Homemade Coconut Condensed Milk Recipe
• How to Make Soursop Juice
• Jamaican Carrot Juice (Blender and Juicer Method)
• The Best Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe
• Jamaican Sorrel Drink Recipe

If you try this recipe, we’d greatly appreciate if you leave us a star ★ rating, as well as some feedback in the comment section below if you found this blog post helpful and tasty!

Also, please use the hashtag #theseasonedskillet on social media for a chance to be featured, and don’t forget to keep up with TSS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest!

Lastly, sign up to our Friday weekly newsletter for the latest TSS updates, blog posts and recipes straight to your inbox.

Oh, and share, share, share with your family and friends!