My Signature Swahili Tea Recipe
Now, let’s get one thingstraight, this isn’t just tea. This is a warm embrace…a gentle pat on theback…a cup full of nostalgia and the reason I function in the morning.
Ingredients
- 300 ml milk because creamy tea is superior tea
- 200 ml water
- 2 teaspoons loose tea leaves or 2 tea bags, but we’re fancy here
- 3 cardamom pods lightly crushed
- 2 cloves not more unless you want your tea to taste like a dental appointment
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- ½ inch piece of fresh ginger sliced (or more if you like a spicy kick)
- Sugar or honey to taste optional, but highly recommended if you like a little sweetness
Instructions
- In a pot, combine the water, tea leaves, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger.
- Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it dance together for about 5 minutes. The goal is to extract all the goodness from the spices and tea.
- Add the milk and continue to simmer on low heat for another 5 minutes. Stir occasionally and enjoy the fragrance taking over your kitchen.
- Strain into cups and sweeten as desired.
- Take a sip, close your eyes, and pretend you’re on the Swahili coast, listening to the waves (even if the reality is that your toddler is screaming in the background).
Notes
Swahili Tea is not just a drink it’s a mood, a vibe, a love language. My son may have shamed me into adding more tea content, but I’m glad he did because this one deserves its moment in the spotlight.
So, what’s your favorite way to enjoy tea? Let me know in the comments while I go make myself another cup. (Yes, I just finished one. No, I don’t see the problem.)