Having trouble waking up, staying motivated, or feeling a bit under the weather? Peel and grate up some fresh ginger root, pull it close, and inhale. That’s right, today we’re going to learn how to make ginger tea. It’s hard to find a more aromatic, versatile or beneficial root than this! The health benefits of ginger are numerous, according to The Ginger People, including study-proven fat-fighting capabilities, anti-cancer properties, and immunity-boosting prowess, as well as digestion-promoting, antioxidant-bursting, metabolism-boosting, detoxifying, muscle ache-reducing (including menstrual cramps) and nausea-alleviating (including morning sickness)! Commonly found in Indian and Asian cuisine, as well as grated, ground, pickled, candied and dried into countless other dishes worldwide, you can’t go wrong incorporating ginger into your recipe – especially if you’re making tea! You can make either hot or cold ginger tea using this enticingly fragrant ingredient, so be sure to enjoy it regardless of season.
When you’re ready to choose your fresh ginger, go for a high quality root with smooth, white skin. Then pay close attention to your recipe’s preparation guidelines to find out whether you need to grate, crush or slice your ginger, and then boil it, steep it or sprinkle it on top of your beverage. Most of our favorite ginger tea recipes call for fresh ginger root for obvious reasons, but some may allow for ground or pre-packaged ginger if you find yourself in a pinch – just know that fresh is usually best (and growing your own is even better than best) and go from there!
How to Make Ginger Tea
The simplest way to make fresh ginger tea is to boil up about 1/2 cup grated or chopped fresh ginger root with a few teaspoons of honey to taste in around 4 -5 cups of water. After straining the root pieces out, you can enjoy this tea over ice (for cold) or in a mug or teacup (for hot.)
For tea-making in the summertime, sun tea is undoubtedly the most easily-made type you can create by using the direct sunlight of the day as it hits your porch or window sill – and ginger sun tea is no different. This recipe uses fresh mint in addition to chopped fresh ginger and you’ll also need a large jar and a few of your favorite tea bags tossed in for good measure. Several hours later, you’ll have naturally steeped fresh ginger tea ready for your tall glass of ice! If you like additional spices added to your tea, Vegan Richa kicks things up a notch with her Cardamom-Cinnamon-Turmeric Iced Tea, not to be outdone in either flavor or health benefits.
If you want to know how to make ginger tea hot, that’s no trouble at all either. The step-by-step method of making fresh ginger tea with the Vegan American Princess is here, with a video at the bottom to boot. Play around with your ingredients if you like a little variation in flavor to your tea. While the Princess used some lemon, this delightful concoction introduces assorted other citrus slices, so you could add a variety according to your own tastes. If you need help to get things rolling on a dreary morning, start off with this Morning Tonic – you’ll be in the shower and out the door in no time! When you’re ready for something a little more exotic, the First Timer Cook throws in a pinch of basil and some other items known to help promote weight loss also. And for those who enjoy a bit of turmeric, this basic Golden Milk recipe should do the trick as well.
If you find you’re craving a traditional chai, skip the Starbuck’s and make it yourself at home! This recipe calls for ground ginger, so you can use that if you have it on hand or substitute the same amount or slightly less of the grated fresh kind. You won’t be disappointed! Once you’ve mastered the simplest traditional chai, give this version a try – Lemongrass Ginger Chai combines black tea with fresh ginger and lemongrass stalks to make an invigorating blend in your cup. Don’t miss it! And finally, for those who wish to venture off into non-tea areas, you could also try this delectable 3-Ingredient Ginger Latte recipe from the Minimalist Baker. You’ll need a whole cup of fresh ginger pieces for this deliciousness, so make sure you grab enough at the store – and have a perfect spot in mind for sitting while you sip this tasty treat slowly and mindfully.
Do you have any tips on how to make ginger tea?
