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Low-calorie, non-alcoholic, this zesty and warming spiced herbal tea is as healing and soothing as it is refreshing and invigorating. Boasting numerous benefits, you can’t go wrong with a cup of this brew.
Benefits of Ginger:
Having been used for centuries, this humble root’s medicinal benefits seem to know no limits. Containing gingerol and other compounds, ginger contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria, as well as numerous antioxidants, some of which are being further examined for being potential effective anticancer promoters, ginger is regarded as a great remedy for the cold/flu, nausea, motion sickness, upset stomach, cramps, indigestion/acid reflux, pregnancy, inflammation related issues ranging from headaches to sore muscles to arthritis, and aids in lowering LDL cholesterol, among other cardiovascular issues.
Cons of Ginger:
Though far less than the benefits there are a few drawbacks to ginger including the fact that it contains a very low nutritional content and only trace amounts of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, though rare, it is possible to be allergic to ginger and effects can range from throat irritation to various forms of stomach and intestinal upset. For these reasons, it’s always recommended that you consult with your doctor before using ginger as a means of treatment for any medical issues.
What is Ginger Tea?
Made using fresh ginger root, ginger tea isn’t technically a tea since it’s not derived and brewed from the Camellia sinensis plant which produces the more traditional green, black, white, or oolong teas. That being said, in terms of classifications, this herbal beverage / herbal tea is technically considered to be a tisane (a water-based infusion of herbs, spices, flowers, leaves – aka anything else that isn’t derived from the Camellia sinensis plant – in hot water).
Is Ginger Tea Good For You?
Absolutely! All-natural, gluten-free, paleo, keto, vegan/vegetarian friendly and containing numerous medicinal properties, this warm, spiced drink is both refreshing and zesty. While you can enjoy it by itself, you can add a touch of natural sweetener to make life…well sweeter!
Making Ginger Tea Is as Easy as Gathering Some…
- Water: Brought to a rolling boil.
- Fresh Ginger: Use whole fresh ginger root (rinsed but not peeled) for the best results. I recommend against using dehydrated or ground/powdered ginger.
- Natural Sweetener: Honey, raw cane sugar or maple syrup.
To make this tea you’ll need to grate or thinly slice fresh ginger. While it’s not necessary to peel your ginger I do recommend rinsing it to get any dirt off. I prefer to grate my ginger so that you can get the most flavor out of this potent and healing root.
Simply place your ginger into a tea strainer or you can put it directly into a cup or mug. Pour your hot water over your ginger and allow it to steep for 5-10 minutes. (See below for how to make an even more potent cup of tea)
Add-ins and Variations:
You can add in an extra bump of spice and flavor to your tea by steeping/adding any of the following in conjunction with the ginger.
- Lime or Lemon wedges/juice.
- Turmeric Root.
- Mint Leaves.
- Cinnamon Stick/Bark.
- Cloves.
- Anise.
- Cardamom.
- Lemongrass.
- Basil.
- Oregano.
How can I make my Tea Stronger/More Potent?
If you’d like to make your ginger tea even stronger, you have three options:
- Slightly stronger: Allow the ginger to steep in the hot water in the cup for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Double as strong: Double the amount of ginger used.
- Very Potent: Add the ginger directly to the pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil for 10-15 minutes. This method is similar to making a decoction which is exactly what I do to make my Honey Ginger Chews and it produces a potent and zesty cup of tea.
Once steeped, remove the ginger from the water and sweeten your tea with any natural sweetener of your choosing. And there you have it, a warm, steaming cup of wholesome spiced herbal tea that is sure to soothe your mind, body and soul. 🥰
Fresh Ginger Root Tea
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1.5 inch fresh ginger (sliced or grated)
- 1 tbsp honey or other natural sweetener (to taste)
Optional additions: Lemon/Lime, Mint Leaves, Cinnamon Stick, Turmeric, Cloves, Anise, Cardamom, Lemongrass.
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil.
- Rinse piece of ginger and either grate or thinly slice it and place it into an infuser or place it directly into a heat-proof mug (along with any other spices you'd like to include).
- Pour the hot water into the mug, streaming it over the ginger and allow the mixture to steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove ginger from the water and sweeten to taste with the honey or any natural sweetener of your choosing.
- Allow your tea to cool to a drinkable temperature before enjoying. You can also make this tea in advance and store it in the fridge for up to a month or in the freezer for up to a year.
Notes
- To brew a stronger tea you can add the ginger directly to the cold water and allow it to boil for 10-15 minutes before straining.
- To make your tea even stronger, double the ginger.
- You can enjoy the tea as is or sweeten it to taste using any natural sweetener (honey, raw cane sugar and even maple syrup are great choices).
