Orange peels and basil leaves herbal tea

The increasing demand for natural and health-promoting beverages has led to this innovation of a herbal tea infusion with orange peel powder (OPP) and basil leaf powder (BLP). The project aims to create a functional herbal tea drink using these two materials with the delivery of health benefits as well as protecting the environment by the utilization of fruit peels. A 50:50 OPP-BLP blend was prepared and evaluated for physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and sensory acceptability, with green tea serving as the control. The OPP-BLP herbal tea exhibited a golden-brown hue. Total phenolic content (44.71 mg GAE/L) and antioxidant activity (1700 μmol TE/L) of OPP-BLP herbal tea, though slightly lower than green tea, remained within a range that suggests meaningful health benefits. Sensory evaluation confirmed that the OPP-BLP herbal tea was lower in color and odor that may likely due to panelist familiarity with green tea but the OPP-BLP herbal tea scored higher for flavor, aftertaste and overall acceptability, reflecting a pleasing and harmonious flavor experience from the citrusy and aromatic herbal infusion. The innovation lies in waste valorization and the novel combination of herbal ingredients, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional teas. This product addresses consumer demand for natural, functional, and eco-friendly beverages, positioning it as a promising prouct in the herbal tea market.