Lebanese Spiced Tea (Printable Version)
Fragrant black tea infused with warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger for a comforting beverage experience.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Tea & Water
01 - 4 cups water
02 - 2 tablespoons loose black tea or 4 black tea bags
→ Spices
03 - 1 cinnamon stick
04 - 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
05 - 4 whole cloves
06 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
07 - 1 star anise (optional)
→ Sweetener & Garnish
08 - 2-3 tablespoons sugar or honey, to taste
09 - Lemon slices (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Combine water, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, ginger, and star anise (if using) in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
02 - Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes to allow spices to fully infuse into the water.
03 - Add loose black tea or tea bags to the saucepan. Simmer for another 3 minutes, or up to 5 minutes for stronger flavor.
04 - Remove from heat. Strain tea into a teapot or directly into cups, discarding spices and tea leaves or bags. Stir in sugar or honey to taste. Serve hot, garnished with lemon slice if desired.
# Top Tips:
01 -
- The way whole spices bloom in hot water creates layers of flavor you can never get from tea bags alone
- It turns an ordinary Tuesday afternoon into something that feels like a gentle escape to a Beirut café
02 -
- Dont let the tea steep too long or it becomes bitter rather than soothing
- Cracking cardamom pods just before use releases their aromatic oils that would otherwise stay trapped inside
03 -
- Toast your cinnamon stick and cloves in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding water to amplify their flavors
- Make a large batch and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating gently as needed