Tea is a staple drink around the world and most evidently so in our homeland India. Here, tea is enjoyed in the morning, afternoon, evening, and even at night. It’s a go-to beverage that is enjoyed by people of all age groups. There are several varieties of tea that are enjoyed and one of the prominent ones is ginger tea.
Ginger tea is made by steeping either ground ginger or ginger powder in black tea. The end result is a flavoursome, aromatic drink that warms the throat and soothes the senses. It’s a rejuvenating drink that does wonders especially when you’re feeling ill. Having a steaming cup of ginger tea can significantly reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Ginger is a potent and powerful herb with many health benefits, hence ginger tea benefits are plenty as well.
Here are some of the benefits of ginger tea:
- Ginger tea aids in digestion
- Ginger tea relieves nasal congestion
- Relieves nausea and motion sickness
- Helps ease cough and flu symptoms
- Helps clear the throat and respiratory tract
Here’s a simple ginger tea recipe that you can make at home:
Ingredients you’ll need:
- 4 cups water
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger/ginger powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons tea leaves
- Honey or your preferred sweetener of choice
Method:
- Heat the water in a pan till it boils
- Add in the ground ginger or ginger powder and let it simmer for five minutes
- Add in the tea leaves
- Let it simmer for two minutes
- Strain into cups and serve with sweetener of your choice
- Now you can enjoy a steaming cup of ginger tea!
How to make ginger lemon honey tea?
Ginger lemon honey tea can be made by following the above recipe. Then all you need to do is put a lemon slice in a cup and pour some ginger tea in it. To this, you can also add a few drops of lemon juice. Then add some honey and mix it well. And there you have it! A cup of ginger lemon honey tea.
Can I add ginger powder to tea?
Yes, absolutely! Adding ginger power to your tea not only adds a kick to your normal tea but it also helps you relax and calm your mind. While ginger tea is usually made using fresh grated or minced ginger, ginger powder does the job just as fine. I personally like to use Zizira’s Ing Makhir ginger powder for a strong cup of ginger tea.
In fact, using ginger powder instead of grated or minced ginger is more convenient as all you have to do is mix the ginger powder into a cup of red or milk tea without having to steep it. Ing Makhir is a potent ginger variety which is found in Meghalaya and it's fibrous nature makes for a perfect potent ginger powder for your ginger tea.
How to make ginger tea with milk?
Making ginger tea with milk is super simple. All you have to do is follow the recipe above and double the amount of tea leaves used. Then for every cup of tea, add 1/4th cup of milk and let the mixture simmer for longer until it turns a beautiful cream-orange colour.
Alternatively, you can make ginger tea by steeping an extra strong pot of red tea. Pour the red tea into a cup, add a dash of milk, then add some ginger powder. This convenient alternative is hassle-free and perfect for when you’re in a pinch for time.
When is the best time to drink ginger tea?
There isn’t a specific time to drink ginger tea as it can be enjoyed any time of the day. Ginger tea can offer a boost of energy in the morning or evening. It can also be consumed after eating a heavy meal to boost digestion. Personally, I like to treat myself to a cup of ginger tea in the evening after a hard day’s work.
The refreshing taste and aroma of ginger tea offer an invigorating experience, perfect for when you just want to relax and unwind. Red ginger tea can be consumed while travelling to ward off nausea and motion sickness. You can also enjoy a cup of ginger tea when you’re feeling under the weather to minimise unpleasant symptoms.