SPICY TEA FOR YOU

Like most Bengalis, I am also a tea lover. Bengalees are famous for lots of things but tea and adda are special features of the bengalee community. Along with Tea adda, we Bengalis polish our knowledge and cultural sides too. We enjoy different kinds of tea along with normal tea we experiment with flavors. Be it winter or summer tea is there with all Indians. Why I say Indians or Bengalese entire world loves tea in morning , evenings and in all occasion specially during any sort of meetings.

Here are  6 tea infusions usings spices. Spice box is a familiar object in every household.

NUTMEG:

It is the seed of the fruit of Mysristica Frangrans, found mostly in Indonesia. Mysristica Frangrans is the tree in the world to bear two distinguish spices Nutmeg and Mace. Mace is the reddish covering on the seed and known for the slight flavor it puts to food. Now we get nutmeg from Malaysia, the Caribbean and Southern India. It helps to get relief from pain, helps to regulate blood pressure and improves digestion. A brew of nutmeg is best if you are suffering insomnia as it calms the senses and ensures a restful sleep.

METHOD:

Boil 1and 1/2 cups of water then add a ½ teaspoon of the nutmeg powder along with ginger julienned strips. Then add the tea leaf and put off the gas and cover it. Let it steep for 3 to 4 mins, strain and add milk and sugar or honey

Best time for having this particular tea is before bedtime.

CUMIN :

Cumin is known for its antibacterial and anticarcinogenic properties.It is high source of iron. It helps in digestion and takes care of the colon. Regular use of cumin helps against constipation and piles as it acts as a natural laxative. Cumin is found in India and Mediterranean.

METHOD :

Dry roast 1 teaspoon of cumin and fennel seeds and ground to powder. Add these to 1 cup water and let it concoction  boil for 2 to 3 minutes, add tea leaves of your choice , cover and steep it for few seconds. Strain the tea and add sugar or honey. you can add pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.Avoid adding salt if u prefer this tea with milk. 

CINNAMON:

Native to Sri Lanka, cinnamon comes from CINNAMONUM VERUM trees which vastly grows there. 2/3rd of it grows in Indonesia and rest comes from China, Vietnam, and Burma.
Cold and various other similar bacterial infections are common when the weather changes. It's a winter spice and provides relief from headaches and muscle aches. As a bonus, it boosts metabolism and strengthens the digestive tract too.
METHOD:

Add a stick of cinnamon or powdered cinnamon to boiling water along with your favorite  tea. Cover and steep it for 2 to 3 minutes, strain and enjoy as it is or with little honey or milk.

BLACK PEPPER:

Black pepper fights against cough and cold , detoxes the body, reduces joint pains and also helps in premature ageing, wrinkles, and dark spots. It improves blood circulation and reduces acne and pigmentation. 
It is mainly found or might say it originates from the Western Ghats of Kerala state in India.

METHOD:

First crush peppercorns and dry ginger into a fine powder. Add 1 teaspoon of the peppercorn and ginger powder, tea leaves into boiling water. Boil it for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and add 1 teaspoon of grated dark jaggery or sugar if u wish. Jaggery helps to reduce the spicy flavors of the black pepper and ginger.

CLOVES:

Cloves come from Madagascar, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Cloves are pungent and have heat  inducing properties. Clove improves blood flow, gastric secretions , saliva production and also reduces toothaches.Eugenol found in cloves has also been shown to have anti-cancer properties.
METHOD:

Dry roast a tablespoon of cloves then crush them into rough pieces. Put 1cup of water to boil along with crushed cloves. Bring it to boil and add tea leaves and boil it for a minute. Turn off the heat, cover and steep it for another 2 minutes. Strain and serve it hot adding honey to it.

STAR ANISE:

Native to southwest China and northeast Vietnam, this spice has made its way as flavor enhancer into the kitchen of Indians, Indonesians and Malaysians. It is considered to be a medicinal herb. It's anti-influenza drugs and cough syrups. It keeps away cold and flu. Brew of the same has anti-fungal properties too, it balances one's immune system over time.
METHOD:
Boil a 1&1/2 cup of water and drop 2 to 3 pods of star anise and preferred tea. Turn of the heat, cover and steep for 4 minutes. Add honey or sugar according to your taste.
CARDAMOM:

Cardamom is a spice that comes from the seeds of various plants in the ginger group. Its origin is from southern India and also grown in Guatemala, which is the largest producer and exporter of this spice in the world.
Its antioxidant and diuretic properties may lower the blood pressure. It may prevent cancer, chronic diseases, digestion problem(ulcers). Treat bad breath and prevents cavity.
METHOD:
Boil 1&1/2 cup of water and add 2 crush cardamom and tea leaves and boil for 10 minutes
Turn off heat ,cover and steep for 3 minutes . Add honey or sugar as much as desire. Milk is optional.
GINGER :

Ginger (Zingiber officinale), a common spice that was considered a luxury more than 5,000 years ago, has a very rich history. The Indians and ancient Chinese used the root of ginger as a tonic to treat common ailments. Although ginger originated inSoutheast Asia, it was widely cultivated in other countries.
Ginger has long been used for culinary and medicinal purpose.
Possible health benefits include reducing nausea, pain, and inflammation.
Ginger can be used to make tea, chopped or crushed in curries and savory dishes, and dried or crystallized in sweets and confectionery.

METHOD:

Take 1 and 1/2 cup water to add crushed fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon ginger powder, let the water boil for 2 minutes then add  1 teaspoon of tea leaves, let it boil for 3 more minutes. Your Karak tea is ready.

So, friends, I hope these informations will really help you all to know the spices in our kitchen and your tea too. Have a good day with a bright smile and a cup of spice tea.
IF U LIKE MY BLOG PLZ LIKE, SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE.

😆BE HAPPY  & KEEP SMILING