When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing like a toasty, hot drink to warm you up. Ginger tea is a no-frills brew that offers a distinctly hot toddy-esque comfort factor. But without the alcohol. And this winter warmer is one that’s easy to make yourself at home. Here we share a quick and easy guide to how to make ginger tea.
But before you put on your ginger brew…
What is it that makes this herbal tea such a popular choice? The warming, slightly spicy flavour makes it a perfect seasonal drink for the cooler months. But there are lots of other reasons to make this natural brew. From antioxidant effects to anti-inflammatory properties, the health benefits of ginger are pretty impressive. But three common reasons for drinking ginger tea are
1. To support digestion
Ginger has been used for centuries to aid digestion. For example, if you’re experiencing stomach discomfort, ginger may help to encourage the release of excessive gas 1.
2. It can help to calm nausea
Ginger is an ingredient we instinctively reach for when we’re in need of something stomach-settling. Easing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (a.k.a. morning sickness 2) is a popular reason to sip on this tea. Always check with your doctor first before trying this approach.
3. It’s non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated
If you’re looking to cut either caffeine or alcohol out of your diet, but still crave something warm to drink, it’s a great alternative. Also, if you refrain from adding sweeteners, it’s virtually calorie-free. This makes it a great choice of hot beverage if you’re following a calorie-controlled diet or intermittent fasting.
How to make ginger tea from scratch?
Making this natural brew involves infusing dried or fresh ginger in hot water for a few minutes. That’s it. So essentially, all you need is a ginger root and some boiled water. But it’s common to include a twist of lemon for a refreshing flavour and a little honey for sweetness. So, here’s a simple recipe for how to make ginger and lemon tea.
Basic ingredients (serves two mugs 3)
- 2cm ginger root, finely sliced
- Honey to taste (or maple syrup as a vegan alternative)
- 1 lemon, juiced
Method
- Finely slice your ginger root. Whether you peel the ginger root first is up to you.
- Cut the lemon into two. Take one half and squeeze the juice. Slice the other half.
- Share the sliced ginger and lemon juice between two mugs.
- Fill the mugs with boiling water and leave for three minutes to steep.
- Add honey or maple syrup to sweeten.
- Stir and add a slice of lemon.
Why not add some extra flavours to your homemade ginger tea?
- Create a festive flavoured mocktail by adding jasmine loose-leaf tea, star anise, a cinnamon stick, a wedge of orange and a sprinkling of berries.
- Add another ingredient (as well as some extra warmth) with the addition of some turmeric to your recipe.
- For the ultimate warming winter night cap, try this hot apple ginger toddy recipe.
- And if you’re in the mood for something cold to sip on, let your tea cool down, and add ice cubes before serving.
Can you drink ginger tea every day?
Firstly, before you make this drink a regular habit, be aware that ginger can interact with some medications and health conditions. Please seek medical advice if you have any concerns about whether it’s suitable for you.
But generally speaking, ginger tea rarely provokes unwanted side effects. However, if ginger is consumed in excess it can cause heartburn, gas, stomach-ache and burning in the mouth 4. So, the general rule is this – don’t consume more than four grams of ginger in a day5 . But that amount would make a lot of mugs of tea.
How long can you keep homemade ginger tea?
Are you thinking of batch brewing? If so, cool any leftovers, then cover and refrigerate for up to four days 6. You can drink it chilled from the fridge, or reheat if you prefer yours warm.
Now you know how to make ginger tea, are you tempted to try it?
We’re a nation of tea-lovers with many of us finding it difficult to imagine a morning that doesn’t start with a builder’s brew. So, if you’re looking to go caffeine-free but can’t give up your hot drink habit, ginger tea is a great substitute for your traditional hot cuppa.
Last Updated: 16th November 2020
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Author: Bhupesh Panchal, Regulatory Affairs
Bhupesh started his career as a clinical toxicologist for Public Health England, advising healthcare professionals all around the country on how to manage clinical cases of adverse exposure to supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, industrial chemicals and agricultural products. After 7 years in this role and a further year working as a drug safety officer in the pharmaceutical industry, Bhupesh joined Holland & Barrett as a Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate in 2019. In his spare time, Bhupesh likes to cycle and has been learning to speak Korean for several years. |
Sources:
1 https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focus-ginger
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818021/
3 https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/lemon-ginger-tea
4 https://www.healthline.com/health/ginger-water#risks
5 https://www.healthline.com/health/ginger-water#risks
6 https://cookieandkate.com/fresh-ginger-tea-recipe/
