Recipe: Ginger Tea
Warm up to winter with a tea that will help you stay healthy this season
The perks of consuming ginger may not be a recent discovery, but this super root is hotter than ever right now — especially when added to tea. There are many health benefits to ginger, including helping to fight effects of the common cold. Known for its ability to aid with digestion and soothe an upset stomach, it’s a popular natural remedy that people can reach for during cold and flu season. It’s also great for beating belly bloat, and it can even help treat headaches. Ginger is also an anti-inflammatory, which makes it great for pain relief — it’s as useful as it is delicious.
When shopping for ginger from the grocery store, select heavy ginger root that that has smooth skin with a firm texture. Avoid pieces that feel wrinkled or soft. And it’s easy to store — it has a shelf life of about one month in the fridge, and it will last for about a year in the freezer.
Ginger Tea
For this recipe, you can substitute maple syrup for cane sugar for honey if you prefer. If you have never cooked with ginger before or are new to it, work your way up to full strength over time. Try using half of this recipe until you feel like you can add more next time. Cayenne pepper's heat and honey’s smooth sweetness helps relieve congestion and soothes sore throats, while lemon juice adds flavour and balance. While these ingredients are optional, they come highly recommended.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 inch knob of fresh ginger
- Raw honey, to taste (optional)
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
Preparation
Simply scrape the whole ginger root with the end of your spoon to get the peel off.
Chop the ginger into four ¼ inch coins.
Add four coins of fresh ginger into a pot with 1 cup water and simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
Take the pot off the stove. Add honey and a squeeze of lemon to taste, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
You can toss the ginger coins before serving, or leave them in the cup for extra flavour. Breathe deeply and enjoy!