**Spiced tea:** A Journey of Flavors to Warm Your Senses
When the weather turns chilly and the days grow shorter, there's nothing quite like a warm and flavorful cup of spiced tea to soothe the soul. This aromatic beverage, often featuring a symphony of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, has been enjoyed for centuries across cultures, each with their unique variations.
From the vibrant streets of India to the bustling souks of Morocco, spiced tea holds a special place in the hearts of tea enthusiasts around the world. Its rich history and diverse flavor profiles make it a versatile drink perfect for any occasion, be it a cozy evening by the fire or a lively gathering with friends.
In this comprehensive guide, we embark on a culinary journey to explore the art of making spiced tea. We'll delve into the secrets of selecting the finest spices, blending them harmoniously, and steeping them to perfection. Along the way, you'll discover a collection of tantalizing recipes that showcase the versatility of spiced tea, from classic chai to unique infusions like apple cider spiced tea and Moroccan mint tea.
Whether you're a seasoned tea connoisseur or just starting to explore the delights of this enchanting beverage, this guide will provide you with all the knowledge and inspiration you need to create your own symphony of flavors and aromas. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your teapot, and let's embark on this aromatic adventure together!
INSTANT SPICED TEA
For a fun holiday hostess gift, pour this festive blend into a decorated 12-ounce jelly jar. The recipe, from field editor Shirley Heston of Pickerington, Ohio, makes enough to fill two jars.
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 10m
Yield 3 cups mix (48 servings).
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Store in an airtight container. , For one serving: Pour 1 cup boiling water into a mug; stir in 1 tablespoon tea mix until dissolved.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 40 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 2mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.
SPICED TEA MIX
For years, our family has relied on this homespun mix to make hot spiced tea and a heartwarming punch. My parents always served steaming mugs of this punch at Thanksgiving. It was everyone's favorite. -Deb McKinney, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 10m
Yield 120 servings (about 7-1/2 cups mix).
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In an airtight container, combine the first five ingredients. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Yield: about 7-1/2 cups total. , To prepare tea: Dissolve about 1 tablespoon tea mix in boiling water; stir well. Yield: 1 serving., To prepare punch: In a 3-qt. slow cooker, combine the juices, 1/4-1/3 cup tea mix and cinnamon sticks. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Yield: about 12 servings (6 ounces each).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 30 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 1mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.
SPICED TEA MIX
This is a delicious dry spiced tea mix which can be packed in jars and given as gifts. It can also be prepared sugar free by using sugar free orange flavored drink mix and sugar free iced tea mix.
Provided by Patsy
Categories Drinks Recipes Tea Hot
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Combine iced tea mix, orange flavored drink mix, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Store in an airtight container.
- To serve, stir 1 1/2 teaspoon mix into 1 cup hot water.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 115.8 calories, Carbohydrate 29.2 g, Fat 0.2 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 1.1 g, Sodium 10.9 mg, Sugar 15.8 g
SPICED ICED TEA
This was my mom's iced tea recipe, which had a special spot in our refrigerator on hot summer days. I remember it being served as a special treat for the men who were on hand during the hay harvest. -Ellen Carlton Mont Vernon, New Hampshire
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 25m
Yield 2-4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Pour boiling water into a heat-proof pitcher. Add the tea bags, cinnamon, cloves and sugar substitute; steep tea for 15 minutes., Discard the tea bags, cinnamon and cloves. Pour tea over ice in glasses; garnish with mint and lemon.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 3 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 0 sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.
SPICED APPLE TEA
"I love to try new recipes for my husband and our friends. This spiced tea is one of our favorites. I like to serve it warm or refrigerate and serve it cold, too." Sharon Delaney-Chronis - South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 25m
Yield 5 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a small saucepan, combine the apple juice, cloves and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Remove from the heat; add tea bags. Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags. Strain juice mixture, discarding cloves and cinnamon. Stir into tea. Serve warm, with additional cinnamon sticks if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 47 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 3mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges
HOT SPICED TEA
This tea we serve is delightful. Everyone enjoys its spicy cranberry flavor and wonderful aroma!-Linda Ault, Newberry, Indiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 15m
Yield 3 quarts.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place cinnamon sticks, allspice and cloves on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Bring up corners of cloth; tie with a string to form a bag. , Place water and spice bag in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Add tea bags; cover and steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags and spice bag. Stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Add juices; heat through. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts :
SPICED TEA
Simply by simmering together spices, tea and fruit juices, Janice Connelley of Mountain City, Nevada created a concoction that gives extra zip to festive party plans. "It's easy to fix," she details. "For a nice touch, I put cinnamon stick 'stirrers' in the cups before serving."-Janice Connelley, Spring Creek, Nevada
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 15m
Yield 3-1/2 quarts.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large kettle or Dutch oven over medium heat, bring 1 qt. of water to a boil. Remove from the heat; add tea bags. Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags. , Place cloves and cinnamon sticks in a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with a string (or, if desired, place loose spices in pan and strain tea before serving). , Place the cheesecloth bag in pan; add the concentrates, sugar, tea and remaining water; bring to a boil. Boil, uncovered, for 6 minutes. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts :
SWEET SPICED TEA
Welcome guests in from the cold at Christmas with this honey-laden hot tea from our Test Kitchen. If you don't have orange-flavored tea, regular tea can be used with equally good results.
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 35m
Yield 3 quarts.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place the cinnamon sticks, orange peel, cloves and allspice on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Bring up corners of cloth; tie with string to form a bag. Place water and spice bag in a large kettle or Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Add tea bags; cover and steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags. , Add honey and lemon juice to tea; bring to a boil. Discard spice bag. Serve tea in mugs. Garnish with orange slices if desired.
Nutrition Facts :
HOT SPICED TEA FOR THE HOLIDAYS
This is an old family favorite, handed down from my great-grandmother. The holidays officially begin with Christmas carols and my favorite hot spiced tea! Definitely a seasonal comfort beverage for me! I prefer to use fresh juices with pulp. The flavors are different. Canned pineapple in light syrup is best. Set the pineapple chunks aside for the rest of your holiday baking. Store leftovers in refrigerator and reheat as needed.
Provided by Darcey Family
Categories Drinks Recipes Tea Hot
Time 20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Pour water into a pot; add cloves and cinnamon stick. Bring water to a boil; remove from heat. Add tea bags to water and set aside to steep until the tea is to your preferred strength, at least 5 minutes. Remove and discard cloves, cinnamon stick, and tea bags.
- Stir orange juice, sugar, pineapple juice, and lemon juice together in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook and stir the juice mixture until the sugar dissolves completely. Pour juice mixture into the spiced tea; serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 86.7 calories, Carbohydrate 22 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 0.3 g, Sodium 8.6 mg, Sugar 20.4 g
Tips:
- Choose high-quality spices: The quality of your spices will greatly impact the flavor of your tea. Look for spices that are fresh, aromatic, and free of any fillers or additives.
- Use whole spices whenever possible: Whole spices retain their flavor better than ground spices. If you're using ground spices, be sure to use them within a few months for the best flavor.
- Toast your spices before using them: Toasting spices releases their essential oils and enhances their flavor. You can toast spices in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, or you can place them in a baking dish and toast them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.
- Don't boil your tea: Boiling tea will drive off the delicate flavors of the spices. Instead, bring the water to a simmer and then remove it from the heat. Let the tea steep for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Experiment with different combinations of spices: There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating spiced tea blends. Try experimenting with different spices to find your favorite combination. Some popular spices to use in spiced tea include cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and star anise.
Conclusion:
Spiced tea is a delicious and healthy beverage that can be enjoyed hot or cold. It's a great way to warm up on a cold day or to cool down on a hot day. And because it's made with spices, it's also packed with antioxidants and other health-promoting compounds. So next time you're looking for a refreshing and healthy drink, reach for a cup of spiced tea.
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