Simple Fresh Ginger Tea
A comforting and invigorating beverage, this Simple Fresh Ginger Tea is made by steeping thinly sliced ginger in hot water, offering a natural warmth and soothing aroma. It's a perfect caffeine-free pick-me-up or a calming drink before bed.
For 1 serving
Wash the fresh ginger thoroughly. There's no need to peel it unless the skin is particularly tough or blemished. Using a sharp knife, thinly slice the ginger into 3-5mm thick rounds. For a stronger tea, you can finely mince or grate the ginger.
Bring 1 cup (250ml) of filtered water to a rolling boil in a small saucepan or electric kettle.
Place the thinly sliced ginger into a heat-proof mug or a small teapot.
Carefully pour the freshly boiled water over the ginger slices in the mug. If using a teapot, cover it with a lid.
Allow the ginger to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. For a milder flavor, steep for less time; for a more potent, spicier tea, steep longer. Covering the mug helps retain the aromatic oils.
Once steeped to your desired strength, you can strain the tea into another mug to remove the ginger slices, or leave them in for continuous flavor release.
If desired, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice from the wedge and stir in 1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to taste. Adjust sweetness and tanginess as preferred.
Serve your Simple Fresh Ginger Tea immediately and enjoy its comforting warmth and invigorating flavor.
What to keep in mind.
4 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Don't peel the ginger: The skin of ginger contains beneficial compounds and flavor. A good scrub is usually sufficient, especially for organic ginger.
- 2Adjust strength: The amount of ginger and steeping time are key. Start with less ginger or shorter steeping for a milder tea, and increase for a spicier, more potent brew.
- 3Grating for intensity: If you prefer a very strong ginger flavor, grate the ginger instead of slicing it. This exposes more surface area, allowing for a quicker and more intense extraction.
- 4Reusing ginger: You can often get a second, slightly milder cup of tea from the same ginger slices by simply adding more hot water and steeping again.
Adapt it for your goals.
Spiced Ginger Tea
Add a small cinnamon stick, a couple of whole cloves, or a star anise pod to the mug along with the ginger before steeping for an aromatic, warming spice blend.
Immunity Boost Ginger TeaImmunity Boost Ginger Tea
Enhance the health benefits by adding a pinch of ground turmeric and a tiny dash of black pepper (to aid turmeric absorption) to the tea while steeping. A slice of orange can also add a vitamin C boost.
Iced Ginger TeaIced Ginger Tea
Prepare a stronger batch of ginger tea, let it cool completely, then pour over ice. Add extra lemon and a touch more sweetener if desired for a refreshing cold beverage.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Digestive Aid
Ginger is well-known for its ability to soothe digestive discomfort, reduce bloating, and alleviate indigestion due to compounds like gingerol.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
The active compounds in ginger possess potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can help reduce pain and inflammation in the body.
Nausea Relief
Ginger tea is a traditional remedy for nausea, including morning sickness, motion sickness, and chemotherapy-induced nausea, due to its calming effects on the stomach.
Frequently asked questions
No, it's generally not necessary to peel fresh ginger for tea. The skin contains beneficial compounds, and a good wash is sufficient. However, if the skin is very thick or blemished, you can lightly scrape it off.
