Tag Archives: #tea

Ginger, Lemongrass and Mint Tea

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Ginger, Lemongrass and Mint Tea

This is a very refreshing drink, that can either be drink hot or over ice as a refreshing iced tea on a hot day. It is very simple to make, but it is best if you have a tea pot with a strainer section in it so that the mint leaves are not poured out with the tea.

Ingredients

  • 1 lemongrass stalk
  • 2 cm fresh ginger
  • 2 stalks of mint

Directions

  1. Bruise the lemongrass stalk either by laying a knife over the base of the stalk and hitting it with the palm of your hand until it breaks open, or hitting it with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
  2. Slice the ginger into thin slices so that more of the ginger will be exposed to the water.
  3. Place the ginger and lemongrass in a teapot (preferably one with a strainer built in). Pour over boiling water.
  4. Leave to stand for around 10 minutes
  5. Add the stalks of mint, and let it stand for another 5 minutes.
  6. Either drink hot, or pour over ice for an iced tea.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Bic Runga – Anthology

 

Lemon, Lime and Ginger Green Tea

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Lemon lime and ginger green tea

The weather has gotten so hot in Singapore that I am searching for new refreshing drinks to quench my thirst, but that also taste great. This is my latest experiment. It can be drunk either as a hot tea, or served over ice for a refreshing summer drink.

Ingredients

  • 1 lime
  • 1 lemongrass stalk
  • 4 slices of fresh ginger
  • 1 green tea bag or 1/2 tsp of green tea leaves
  • 1 litre water

Directions

  1. Crush the lemongrass stalk either using a knife laid on top of the stalk and banging it with your fist, or using a clean meat mallet.
  2. Slice 4 slices of ginger approximately 0.5cm wide from your fresh ginger root
  3. Cut the lime into quarters to expose the flesh
  4. Place the lemongrass stalk and fresh ginger, along with 1 litre of fresh water into your water kettle (jug)
  5. Boil the jug / kettle
  6. Add the boiled water, lemongrass, ginger, lime pieces and green tea to a tea pot (preferably one with a filter).
  7. Allow the tea to brew for around 15 minutes so that the water has cooled down enough to drink. The tea will continue to increase in flavour the longer you leave it.
  8. Enjoy either hot or over ice with slices of lime for a refreshing iced tea.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: The Map Room – The Map Room

Cardamon Black Tea

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 Cardamon Tea

When I lived in India I loved Masala Chai (a milky spiced tea), but I have also discovered that adding Cardamon to black or green tea without adding milk is also a delicious, and warming tea. Cardamon originates from the area including India, Pakistan and Bhutan. It is a  fragrant spice that adds aroma and depth to a variety of both sweet and savoury dishes. It is very easy to buy in most Western Supermarkets in the spice aisle.

Ingredients

  • 4 green cardamon seeds
  • 1 tea bag of black or green tea (or 1/2 tsp of loose tea leaves)
  • 500ml water

Directions

  1. Crush the cardamon pods. You can do this either by squeezing them between your fingers or by placing them on a board, laying a knife flat on top of them, and banging them with your fist.
  2. Make sure that the pods are open, and you can see the black seeds inside, but not yet that the seeds are falling out of the pods. Exposing the seeds to the water will add even more fragrance to the tea.
  3. Place the cardamon pods into a water kettle (jug). Add 500ml of fresh water and boil the jug / kettle.
  4. Add the tea bag to a tea pot with a strainer. Pour the water and cardamon pods into the kettle.
  5. Let the tea brew for around 5 minutes and then serve.
  6. Makes 2 cups.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Ijahman Levi – Lilly of my Valley

Chrysanthemum, Plum, Goji Berry tea

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Chrysanthemum plum yoji berry tea

Living in Asia is a great way to learn about the tea cultures that exist around the region. This is a simplified version of the Chinese Eight Treasures tea, and substitutes the rock sugar for honey to give it a lovely mellow taste that avoids processed sugars.  

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp Chrysanthemum
  • 1 Tbsp green tea leaves (or 1 tea bag)
  • 1 Tbsp goji berries
  • 2 dried plums
  • 4 slices fresh ginger

Directions

  1. Place all of the ingredients into a tea pot with a wire mesh barrier in it to hold the ingredients when you pour the tea (alternatively you can strain the tea from the tea pot with a strainer when you pour it).
  2. Pour over hot water, preferably at 80 degrees Celsius (170 degrees Fahrenheit), or boil the water and let it cool a little first.
  3. Let the tea steep for at least 10 minutes before you drink it.
  4. Strain the tea into a glass or cup and enjoy

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Atlas – Real Estate