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 TEA RECIPES

Southern Sweet Tea

3 cups boiling water
1 family-size tea bag or 3 regular-size tea bags
1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar or to taste
5 cups cold water
Ice cubes

Pour boiling water over the tea bags. Set aside and let steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags.

In a large pitcher, add sugar and pour warm tea over sugar; stirring until sugar is melted. Add 5 cups cold water and stir until well mixed. Cool and serve in tall glasses over ice.      Yields 1/2 gallon.  

I reccomend a great Ceylon Loose Leaf Tea!

Secrets to Making Clear Tea

When tea steeps, tannins (the natural compounds that color tea leaves) are released into the boiling water. The heat helps dissolve them, and the brew is clear enough to see through.  Refrigeration can cause tannins to separate out again, turning the tea murky. Generally, higher-quality tea contains more tannins (because it is richer in solids) and is more likely to become cloudy.  

·         Hard water can also make your iced tea cloudy. Also the minerals in your water could be causing the cloudiness. Try using bottled or filtered water and let the tea stand at room temperature for an hour after steeping.
 

·         Do not use cold water (use room temperature water).
 

·         Do not add ice to hot tea, only add the ice cubes to your drinking glass and then pour the tea over the ice cubes.
 

·         Do not put it straight into the refrigerator after it's made. Let it cool at room temperature first. THEN put it in the fridge. Cooling too fast makes the tannin settle out, causing cloudy tea.
 

·         If the tea turns murky in the refrigerator, add a cup of boiling water to one quart of tea - it should clear up the cloudiness. Remember, it will also dilute the tea, so add less ice.

Green Tea and Mango Splash

1 cup strongly brewed green tea

2 cups mango nectar

Ice cubes

Mint sprigs for garnish

Mango slivers for garnish

Combine tea and mango nectar in a pitcher. Serve over ice, garnished with mint sprigs and mango slivers.

Yield: 3 servings

Chai Tea - Masala Chai - Spiced Milk Tea

2 cups water
3 black tea bags or 1 tablespoon loose organic black tea*
1 cinnamon stick
6 whole green cardamom pods, crushed or about 1/4 teaspoon seeds
4 whole cloves
Dash nutmeg
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
1 (6-inch) piece vanilla bean (cut up into 1-inch pieces) or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 black peppercorns
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cups low fat or whole milk

In a large saucepan, add the water, tea bags, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla bean, peppercorns and brown sugar. Bring just to a boil; then cover and reduce the heat to low. Let simmer for approximately 5 minutes depending on how strong a spice flavor you want. Add milk and slowly bring just to simmer (do not boil the milk), then remove from heat. Strain mixture through strainer or coffee filters; press on the spices and tea with a spoon to extract all the fragrant liquids.

NOTE:  Many people make the tea base ahead of time, adding the milk

when they are ready to serve.

Serve hot or in a tall glass filled with ice.

Store the unused portion in the refrigerator.  

Makes 3 cups tea... 

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Tea For Digestive Problems

1oz. chamomile

2/3 oz. peppermint

1 oz. caraway seeds

2/3 oz. angelica

Use 1 tsp of the mixture per cup of hot water. Steep the mixture 10 min. and strain.  This tea soothes the gastrointestinal tract and stimulates digestive activity, making it useful for stomachaches or a too-full feeling.

Heartburn Tea

1 tablespoon Chamomile

1 table spoon Peppermint

2 pods Star Anise

Boil pods for 5 minutes and steep the chamomile and peppermint in the Anise tea.  Drink one cup every hour until two hours before bedtime. 

Herbal Tea Recipe for Aches and Pain

1 Tablespoon – White Willow Bark.

1 Tablespoon – Catnip

Put into a Tea ball and steep in boiling hot water for five minutes.  Drink as hot as you can stand it, then lie down for a nap.

The Common Cold

1 1/2 tablespoons of Licorice root already brewed in a pot enough for two cups.

Elderberry tea bag

Chamomile

Steep the tea bag in the Licorice Root infusion and add in the Chamomile. This can be done in the coffeemaker, but the Licorice brew must be cool enough to be cycled through the machine.

Herbal remedies for migraine head aches Tea

1 2/3 oz dried St Johns Wort

1 oz Valerian

1 oz Linden flowers

1/4 oz Juniper berries

Use 1 tsp of mixture per 1 cup boiling water. Steep 10 minutes & strain.

Headache Tea

Lavender

Chamomile

Rosemary

Mint

Put a pinch of each herb in a coffee filter and place in your coffee maker. Wait a half hour before drinking this mix, this should make you tired so you can sleep your headache away.

A mentally refreshing beverage, to help give you feelings of clarity and precision.

1 part ginkgo

1 part gotu kola and peppermint leaves

1 part red clover tops

1 part rosemary leaves

1 part ginger root

a pinch of stevia.

Place all herbs in a tea ball or bag, put in your nicest or most favorite cup or mug, and cover with boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea ball or bag, and add sugar, honey, sweetener, milk, cream or whatever, to taste.

Sleep Tea Recipe

2 tbls. Hops

1 tsp. Lavender

1 tsp. Rosemary

1 tsp. Thyme

1 tsp. Mugwort

1 tsp. Sage

1 Pinch of Valerian Root

Take a teaspoon of the mixture and pour into 1 cup of hot water. Let sit for 3 minutes then strain. Store the unused portion.

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Hot Tea Punch

Ingredients:

 Method:

Bring first 4 ingredients to boil in heavy large saucepan over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tea bags. Cover and let steep 10 minutes. Discard tea bags. Add orange and lemon juices to punch. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm before continuing.) Using slotted spoon, remove whole spices. Serve hot.

Indian Chai Tea

 Ingredients:

• 3 teabags black tea

• 4 cups water

• 1 3 inch cinnamon stick

• 1 inch piece of ginger root cut into 4 slices

• 1/2 tsp (2 ml) cardamom seeds

• 1/2 tsp (2 ml) black peppercorns

• 1/2 tsp (2 ml) whole cloves

• 1 tsp (5 ml) whole coriander seeds

• 1 cup (225 ml) milk

• honey or other sweetener to taste

 Method:

Bring water to boil in a saucepan.  Add spices, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.  Add teabags and steep 10 minutes.  Add milk and heat to drinking temperature-do not boil.  Strain mixture through a cheesecloth or cotton dish towel.  Serve with honey or other sweetener to taste.