Herbal Tea | Herbal Chai
User Reviews
5
Herbal Tea | Herbal Chai
Description
Herbal Tea | Herbal Chai is prepared by boiling water infused with peeled and crushed ginger, green cardamom, lemongrass stalk, mint leaves, and optionally, holy basil leaves (tulsi). The simmering releases the essential oils and flavors from the herbs, giving the tea a warm, aromatic base. Sweeteners such as raw sugar balance the spices, while black tea powder or bags can be added for a traditional chai with tea flavor. Milk or plant-based milk is optional, added to create a creamy finish.
The simmering time allows the ginger to impart its fresh bite and cardamom to add a sweet-spicy aroma. The lemongrass adds citrusy brightness, and the herbal leaves contribute freshness. When using tea leaves instead of powder, steeping after heating preserves a delicate balance.
This herbal chai is suited to a calming beverage for any time, especially when a warm and spicy drink is desired. It can be customized by adjusting ginger length for intensity and sweetness level.
To make a herbal tisane without tea leaves or powder and milk, simply omit those ingredients. When steeping tea leaves, add them off heat and cover to steep for 2-3 minutes to avoid bitterness. Sweetener choice and milk quantity can be varied to taste.
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 3 to 4 teaspoons black tea powder (tea dust) or 3 to 4 black tea bags, optional - for using tea leaves, check notes no 2
- 1 inch ginger for a milder taste and 2 inch ginger for a stronger flavor. it should be peeled, washed and either crushed or grated.
- 2 to 3 green cardamom crushed or powdered in a mortar-pestle (optional
- 1 lemongrass stalk
- 3 to 4 mint leaves
- 3 to 4 holy basil tulsi) - optional, leaves
- ½ to ¾ cup milk or soy milk, cashew milk or almond milk – add more or less as per your taste, optional
- 8 teaspoons raw sugar or regular sugar or any sweetener of choice, add more for more sweetness
Instructions
- In a kettle pan or saucepan, add the water. Peel the ginger and then crush the ginger and cardamom in the mortar-pestle. This is important otherwise you won't get the flavor of ginger and cardamom in the tea.
- Add the crushed ginger and cardamoms to the water.
- Add the lemongrass in the water. I usually cut it into many pieces. So chop them and add to the water.
- Also, add the mint leaves and holy basil leaves to the tea.
- Boil this water and herb mixture for 7 to 8 minutes or till the color of the water changes to a mild yellowish hue. This change of color of the water will be due to the ginger releasing its juices and flavors in the water.
- Add sugar or your preferred sweetener and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes more. You can choose to omit the sugar if you prefer.
- Now, add the tea powder or tea bags and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes or till the water gets a deep hue of red. Tea powder or tea bags can be omitted to make a herbal tisane.
- Add milk. Simmer the tea for 2 to 3 minutes if you are using regular milk or soy milk. Skip the milk if you prefer.
- If you are using almond milk or cashew milk, then just stir the milk with tea and remove from the kettle. Heating further would cause the cashew or almond milk to become slimy and split.
- Strain the Herbal Tea through a strainer right into the cups.
- Serve the Herbal Chai hot as is or pair with snacks.
Notes
- Omit tea powder/leaves and milk to prepare a pure herbal tisane.
- If using tea leaves, steep by adding leaves after boiling water and turning off heat, covering for 2 to 3 minutes before straining.
- Adjust sweetness and milk amount to personal preference or omit both altogether.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 57 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 57kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 4mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 24mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 81mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 97IU | 2% |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 1mg | |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 1mg | |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 1mg | |
| Vitamin B6 | 1mg | |
| Vitamin B12 | 1µg | 42% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Vitamin D | 1µg | 5% |
| Vitamin E | 1mg | |
| Vitamin K | 1µg | |
| Calcium | 53mg | 5% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 2µg | |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
| Magnesium | 11mg | 3% |
| Phosphorus | 35mg | |
| Zinc | 1mg |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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