Have a cuppa!
There is nothing like a nice cup of coffee or tea to perk your spirits up after a tiring day. By now we are all familiar with the different kinds of coffees but we stick to our traditional recipes when it comes to tea. Tea is perhaps one of the most malleable beverages in the world. It can be easily adapted to suit your taste and mood. Here are few ideas that you can try to spike your tea drinking with fun.
Tulsi Tea
It is quite easy to make, and it is a great after dinner tea as it aids in digestion.
You will need:
- 2 teaspoons tulsi leaves, crushed
- 1 cup boiled water
Let the tulsi leaves steep in the boiling water for 2-5 minutes. The beverage can be sweetened with honey if you wish.
Apple and Honey Iced Tea
A sweet and fruity drink, perfect for a hot summer afternoon.
You will need:
- 3cups of water
- 4 tea bags
- 1/3 cup of honey
- 3 cups of apple juice
Leave the tea bags in boiling water to steep for 5 minutes. Strain out tea bags and stir in honey and juice. Mix until honey is dissolved. Chill and serve over ice.
Korean Ginger Tea
Korean ginger tea reduces migraine and relieves nausea.
You will need:
- 5 cups water
- 1/3 cup fresh, thinly sliced ginger
- 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon
- 3 walnuts, shelled, blanched and finely chopped
- 2 dates, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sugar
Put water in a pot or saucepan. Add ginger. Boil for about 20 minutes and strain. Add sugar and cinnamon. Serve in cups while the tea is still very hot. Add a small amount of walnuts and dates in each cup.
Spiced Camomile Tea
Some people call Camomile tea the “sleepy tea” for its ability to act as a nerve relaxant. Therefore the tea is especially good for insomniacs. This tea is also believed to boost the immune system.
You will need:
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 tsps of dried chamomile flowers
- 1 piece of dried orange peel
- 1 tsp of honey
Put chamomile flowers, orange peel and honey in a teapot. Add boiling water. Stir, cover and let the tea infuse for about 10 minutes. Strain and serve.
Ginger Iced Tea
If you’re looking for a change from the usual lemon iced tea, then you should give this bold ginger iced tea a try.
You will need:
- 5 tea bags
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger
- Sugar, to taste
Slice the ginger root into thin slices and crush. Heat 4 cups of water and leave the tea bags to steep with the ginger for at least 10 minutes. Strain out tea and ginger slices and add sugar. Let cool and serve over ice.
Orange Tea
You have tried lemon tea; now experiment with tangy orange.
You will need:
- 2cups of water
- 1 ½ cups of orange juice
- ¼ tsp of sugar
- ¼ tsp of cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp of cloves, ground
- 2 teabags
In a saucepan, heat orange juice, water, sugar and spices until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Leave the tea bags to steep for 5 minutes. Strain out tea bags and serve hot.
Kashmiri Chai Tea
Powdered almonds make this chai a little bit nutty, and you can really taste the cinnamon and cardamom as well. If you don’t have real saffron (it’s very expensive) you can always leave that out.
You will need:
- 1 tsp loose tea
- 4 cardamom pods, shelled
- 1 small cinnamon stick, broken up
- Saffron threads, a pinch
- 4 cups water
- 2 tbs finely powdered almonds
- Honey, to taste
Mix everything except honey and almonds in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and let tea steep for 5 minutes. Put a teaspoon of almonds in the bottom of each cup, and pour hot tea over. Sweeten with honey to taste.
Mint and Lime Iced Tea
A simple iced tea, with a twang of lime and hint of mint. It’s both sweet and sour at the same time.
You will need:
- 4 cups water, boiling
- 4 tea bags
- 1 3/4 cups of fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lime juice
Mix tea bags, mint and sugar in hot water, and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain out the tea bags and mint leaves. Chill and add lime juice before serving.
