With the big semi-final soccer match between Brazil and Germany today, it made us wonder which country might win in an iced tea battle. We uncovered a traditional yet delicious iced tea recipe from each country and we're putting them up side by side in a tea match. Pineapple Mint Iced Tea or Spiced Apple Iced Tea? Since we're having a difficult time making up our minds which sounds more delicious, we'll let you be the judge.

Here are the two recipes -- why not conduct a taste challenge while watching the game? Or more realistically bookmark these recipes to enjoy throughout the summer :)

Brazil: Pineapple-Mint Iced Tea (Chá de Abacaxi com Hortelã)

Serving: 8 Cups

Ingredients:

• Peels of one pineapple, washed
• 2 slices of pineapple, cut into chunks
• 2 quarts/liters of water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 8 fresh mint leaves
• Sugar, honey, or sugar substitute to taste

Directions:

1. Place both the pineapple peels and chunks, water, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Let cook for about 25-30 minutes.

2. Then, turn off the heat and add the mint leaves. Cover and let sit for approximately 15-20 minutes. Strain the mixture. Discard everything except the pineapple chunks and boiled liquid!

3. In a blender, blend the pineapple chunks with 1 cup of the boiled, strained liquid. Strain and stir it into the remaining boiled, strained liquid. Sweeten with sugar, honey, or sugar substitute to taste. Let cool down and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Add ice and serve.

As shared by FromBraziltoYou

Germany: Gluehwein German Apple Iced Tea

Serving: 8 Cups

Ingredients:

• 2 qts apple juice (equals 4 cups)
• 6 tbsps apple juice (additional)
• 2 pts black tea (equals 2 cups)
• 8 tsps black tea (additional)
• 4 tbsps sugar
• 2 lemon (peeled & juiced, reserve peel)
• 2 orange (peeled & juiced, reserve peel)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 clove

Directions:
1. In a saucepan slowly heat the apple juice and tea.
2.Peel the lemon and orange, reserve the peels and juice the lemon and orange.
3. Place the juice, the reserved peels, the sugar and the spices into the pan and continue to heat, being careful not to boil the liquid. Taste and adjust the spices.
4. Strain the heated mixture through a sieve in a pot and let sit in the fridge for 2 hours.

5. Pour each serving in a mug over ice and serve.

As shared from Food.com