Green tea and Cardamom tea

[Ruhi_Rose]

As-Salam Alaykum and hey folks!  Another winter with the pandemic showing no signs of letting up 🤔  So let us cheer ourselves with some conversation of healthy winter beverages to enjoy at home.


GREEN TEA

Everyone has heard of green tea, but how many have developed a taste for it?   It would be a welcoming change and a variation if you divide your consumption of green and black tea every week.  Say, green tea thrice a week, rest of the days black tea 🙂

Some ideas for brewing the best green tea:
Heat water in a small saucepan.  Don't bring it to a rolling boil.  It should just be boiling hot.  Pour the water in a teacup or tea mug.  Add the loose green tea leaves or simply dip in the green tea bag.  Many complain about not liking the flavor of green tea.  This can often be if you are new to it and haven't yet understood its flavor OR if green tea isn't brewed correctly.  For best flavor place the green tea bag in a teacup or tea mug and then pour boiling water into it.  Allow the tea to steep for not more than 3 minutes.  Then remove the sachet and enjoy sipping.   But don't think green tea is caffeine free.  It's quite rich in caffeine.  At the same time, it's also rich in antioxidants, a huge health benefit.

The common question is, should you or should you not add sugar to your cup a green tea?   Traditionally green tea is drunk without sugar or any other sweetener. Green tea is known for its delicate flavor.  Connoisseurs of green tea often say that to experience this amazing flavor, avoid adding sugar or any other sweetener.   But at the end of the day it's entirely your choice whether to add sugar, any other sweetener or none at all.   You can add sugar to your green tea just as much as you would to any other beverage.  

Adding sugar in your cup of green tea will not take away all of its health benefits, but it may increase the calorie content per cup – depending on what type of sweetener you choose.   In recent times, green tea has gained popularity with weight watchers.  So, if anyone is taking green tea for weight loss, then it would definitely be advisable to avoid any sweeteners.  Adding one teaspoon of sugar to a cup of green tea, adds approximately 16 calories per cup.  Alternatively you can try adding a bit of honey.  Also in recent times green tea has been touted as useful for managing diabetes and reducing blood sugar levels.  Needless to say, if you are diabetic, do not add any sweeteners with your green tea.


   
Green tea loose in a cup


 
Green tea bag steeping in a cup  




CARDAMOM TEA

A variation of herbal tea, cardamom tea is Arabic tea - aromatic and spicy!  It's a Middle-East delicacy.  It can be taken warm or iced, but I don't know many folks who would like it iced.  Cardamom tea is almost always enjoyed warm and thus more a winter fav than summer.

Here's how you're gonna prepare it.   In a small saucepan or a tea pot add water and a few cardamom pods.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Add loose black tea or 2 or 3 black tea bags (depending on the quantity of water).   Brew for one minute or maximum 2 minutes.  Brewing it longer might add a bitterish flavor which everyone wants to avoid.  Turn the heat off, stir and steep for a while.  If you're using loose green tea, you will need to strain it into the cups.  If desired you can add a splash of milk.  Sweeten with the sweetener of your choice - white sugar, brown sugar, honey or no sweetener if you like it that way.   Whether or not you strain it is up to you.  Some like to pour it into the cup with the spice. Usually straining it is more popular.  While brewing, some people like to add a small stick of cinnamon or a couple of cloves or a small slice of ginger.   But make sure these spices are in very small quantities so that they don't overwhelm the flavor of cardamom.

Cardamom spiced tea without milk is perhaps more popular in the Middle-East while in Pakistan, a dash of milk with cardamom tea is liked more.


Cardamom tea with spices without straining and no milk added from Amira's Pantry



Cardamom tea with milk -  Masala chai, Pakistan Eats


Enjoy your "teas" 😊 but also remember not to over consume.  In regard to green tea, 3 cups a day should be maximum.   And black tea, not more than 2 cups a day.   

[Zainab_M]

I've had cardamom tea, Pakistani style with a little milk.  Tastes nice.  But I wouldn't want to have it every day like the regular black tea with milk and sugar. 

Green tea is something I should be taking but don't have any experience of that yet.  I've heard it's real good for digestion.  Folks in Middle East and Pakistan often serve green tea after dinner & dessert.  Insh'Allah, I will try it soon keeping in mind the preparation guidelines you mentioned. 

Thanks sis 🙂

[Ruhi_Rose]

O yeah sis, green tea is excellent for digestion and soothing for the stomach. 

[N. Truth Seeker]

For sure wonderful winter beverages, Alhumdulilah.   

Only my mom is a cardamon tea fan.  Rest are all green tea lovers including me .. 🙂