Easy-Prep Fresh Homemade Teas

If you feel like taking a break from caffeine, teas made from fresh herbs like ginger, mint, and lemongrass will be a welcome change of pace. They couldn't be easier to make and they taste great hot or iced.  All three are said to have medicinal, soothing properties and have been enjoyed for centuries in the countries where the herbs grow in abundance. If you're planning to serve the teas over ice, either simmer them longer to intensify the flavors, or add extra ginger, mint, or lemongrass.

Ginger tea is popular in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia. It's a little spicey and is said to aid both, digestion and reduce nausea.  It's wonderful sweetened with a little honey or sugar, and I often add a slice of lemon. 

Mint tea is popular throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa. Mint is known to aid digestion, so it's great to drink at the end of a meal. In Morocco, fresh mint is combined with Chinese green tea and sugar to make the national drink. It's even more light and refreshing made without the green tea. Like ginger tea, the mint combines well with lemon and honey. 

Lemongrass tea is enjoyed throughout Southeast Asia, in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Phillipines. The stalks of lemongrass have a hauntingly delicious flavor. This tea is extra special when combined with a little fresh basil. Lemongrass is said to have several medicinal properties and it offsets spicey foods.

Ginger Tea
Makes 2 large servings

1-inch piece of fresh ginger
3 cups water
Sugar or honey to taste
Lemon slices (optional)

1.  Peel the ginger and thinly slice it.  Add to a pot with water.

2.  Simmer the tea for 10-15 minutes, depending on how strong you like it.

3.  Pour the tea over a strainer into large mugs, or remove ginger with a slotted spoon.

4.  Sweeten to taste with sugar or honey and serve with a lemon slice.

Lemongrass Tea
Makes 2 large servings

6 fresh lemongrass stalks
3 cups water
Sugar or honey to taste
6 fresh basil leaves (optional)

1.  Cut the dry bottoms off of the lemongrass stalks. Remove any dry outer leaves. Cut the lemongrass in half lengthwise & cut the lengths into 1-inch pieces.

2.  Combine the lemongrass pieces with the water in a small pot. Bring to a boil and simmer 10-15 minutes, depending on how strong you'd like it. 

3.  Pour the tea over a strainger into large mugs, or remove the lemongrass with a slotted spoon. 

4.  If adding basil, do so after the tea has simmered. Stir and let rest for a minute to release the flavor. If serving iced, place the fresh basil leaves in the bottom of a pitcher and lightly bruise them with a wooden spoon. Pour the strained tea over the basil and refrigerate.

Fresh Mint Tea
Makes 3 servings

1 bunch fresh mint (about 1 cup of leaves)
4 cups water
Sugar or honey to taste
Lemon slices (optional)

1.  Rinse the mint and remove the leaves. Combine with the water in a medium-size pot and simmer 10-15 minutes, depending how strong you like it.

2.  Pour the tea through a strainer into a teapot or individual mugs, or remove mint with a slotted spoon.

3.  Sweeten to taste with sugar or honey and serve with a lemon slice if desired.