Ginger tea is a great way to enjoy both the taste and the health benefits of ginger. Making ginger tea from scratch is really simple and really cheap—cheaper than buying a pack of teabags at the store. The taste of homemade ginger tea is also beyond compare. If you are a fan of ginger, you can’t go wrong with the spicy goodness of fresh ginger root. These ginger tea recipes are simple yet invigorating!
See also: Here’s some delicious scone recipes to go with your fresh cup of ginger tea!
The Health Benefits of Ginger
The health benefits of ginger are said to be many—from curing stomach aches to improving circulation to providing extra energy to boosting your immune system. Beyond these, the spiciness of a cup of fresh homemade ginger tea is great for clearing up stuffy sinuses or easing a sore throat. Hot beverages are always great to drink to help soothe a cough as well, and this tea is no exception.
Ginger Tea Recipe
The recipe to make fresh ginger tea couldn’t be easier. Simply buy a ginger root at the store. You can buy as much or as little as you want. Ginger will last for a few weeks out of the refrigerator. Because it is lightweight, even if the cost looks high, it is usually less than a dollar for a piece that will produce several evenings of tea. If you prefer, you can also buy organic ginger at health food stores and at some grocery stores. To make the tea, cut off a piece of ginger measuring about one square inch. There is no real need for precision.
Cut off the skin of the ginger and discard. Slice the ginger into either thin strips or grate it into fine pieces. Thin strips are more easily fished out of the boiling water, but grating also works if you have a tea strainer. Fill a pot with enough water to make your desired amount of tea, plus a little extra as some may boil off. Add the ginger, cover the pot, and bring to a boil. Boil the ginger root for anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. Ten minutes will yield a spicy tea, but if you are a real ginger tea fan, you will appreciate the extra kick of longer boiling.
Ginger Tea Recipe Variations
Lemon Ginger Tea: After the tea is done boiling, add either lemon wedges or some lemon juice for an extra dimension of flavor and a bit of vitamin C.
Peach Ginger Tea: You can add peach flavor in any number of ways. The easiest way is to add a peach tea teabag to the boiling water. You can also add peach flavor syrup, or add frozen sliced peaches to the end result for a more aesthetic appeal and a gentler flavor.
Lazy Homemade Ginger Tea Recipe: If boiling water is just not your thing, slice the ginger as before and load the slices into a coffee filter in your coffee maker. Add some slices into the pot as well to intensify the flavor. Since this method does not have the ginger in the hot water for as long, the resulting tea is not super strength, but this is a quick and tasty way to go.
Other Tea Variations: You can add sliced ginger to any tea. For best results, add as you heat or boil the water to get the most flavor.
