When it comes to getting my caffeine fix for the morning, tea has always been my go-to beverage, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Lynn Cupido. I never enjoyed the bitter taste of coffee and the way it left me running for the bathroom, so tea has always felt like a zesty middle ground. Unfortunately, I’m a creature of habit, and I don’t often find myself venturing beyond the Mint-infused and Ceylon-blended tea bags, but in an effort to broaden my horizons… here were are, and here you are.
Whether you’re looking to dive into the world of teacups and saucers, or simply looking for a milder alternative to coffee, here are three delicious tea recipes you can whip up at home.
View this post on Instagram
Ginger Cardamom Tea
Add a little zing to your morning cuppa with a unique blend of cardamom and ginger. It’s a super simple recipe that you can make at home and only requires ground cardamom, ginger root and a few teaspoons of honey. With the winter chill still very much alive in the Mother City, this is a great blend to help you keep warm and fight off those pesky colds and flu.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of hot water
- 4 Teaspoons of honey
- 1 Tablespoon minced ginger root
- 6 Teabags
- 1/2 Teaspoon ground cardamom
- Fat-free milk
Method:
Grab a pot or a saucepan and add the honey, water, cardamom and ginger. Bring these ingredients to a boil, letting it simmer for 10 minutes. Pour mixture over tea bags and steep according to your taste. Strain the tea and enjoy your drink.
Spiced Apricot Tea
Dreaming of summer? This spiced apricot blend is a beautiful combination of summer and winter, allowing you to warm your insides while enjoying a fruity flavour.
Ingredients:
- 2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
- 10 whole cloves
- 3 cups water
- 2 tea bags
- 3 cups apricot nectar
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Method:
Grab a cheesecloth and add the cinnamon and cloves, securing the cloth and tying it with string. Add the spice bag to water in a saucepan, bringing to a boil. Add tea bags, cover and steep according to your taste before discarding tea and spice bag. Add remaining ingredients and enjoy!
Green tea with strawberry and peach
Green tea can be slightly bitter, so adding a few fruity ingredients will certainly add a little twist to this traditional beverage. If you love the spring flavours that come with strawberry and peach, then you’ll definitely love this.
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp green whole leaf tea
- 4 strawberries, sliced (you don’t have to hull them first)
- ½ peach, sliced
- 150ml cold water
Method:
Grab your jug of cold water and add it to a large heatproof jug which you’ll then top with 450ml of boiling water. Add the tea leaves and sliced fruit, leaving it to steep for two minutes. Once the tea has steeped according to your taste, strain the green tea into the teapot, leaving the fruit and tea leaves behind… and voila!
Also read:
The numerous benefits of adding Rooibos to your skincare routine
Picture: Instagram