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Thai Spiced Tea 2

Serves 4 to 6 Beverage vegan, Beverages

Thai Spiced Tea 2

Thai Spiced Tea 2 captures the essence of a home-cooked meal, where the art of seasoning is a personal touch rather than a strict rule. This version is a reflection of how Thai families truly prepare it, with salt judged by hand and a generous use of fat, all set for a communal table. It's a staple in Thai homes, enjoyed as an everyday comfort rather than a special occasion drink.

The tea greets you with a robust aroma, a harmony of spices that dance on the palate. It offers a warm, soothing experience, with each sip balancing the earthiness of tea leaves against the subtle sweetness of sugar. The spices, added to taste, create a unique blend that is both invigorating and comforting, perfect for sharing in the company of family and friends.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsptea leaves
  • 500 mlwater
  • to tastespices
  • to tastesugar

Method

  1. Start by bringing 500 ml of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Use medium-high heat to ensure a steady boil, which will help extract the full flavor from the tea leaves.
  2. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add 2 tablespoons of tea leaves. Stir gently to immerse the leaves fully, allowing them to steep and release their rich color and aroma into the water.
  3. Add your choice of spices to taste. Common choices include star anise, cinnamon, or cardamom. Stir gently to combine, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed and begin to infuse their flavors into the tea.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes. This allows the spices to meld with the tea, creating a fragrant and flavorful base. You should notice a deepening color and a rich, spicy aroma.
  5. Taste the tea and add sugar to your preference. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved, ensuring a balanced sweetness that complements the spices without overpowering them.
  6. Once the desired sweetness is achieved, remove the saucepan from heat. Strain the tea into a heatproof container to remove the tea leaves and spices, leaving a smooth, spiced liquid.
  7. Allow the tea to cool slightly before transferring it to a refrigerator to chill, or if you prefer it warm, proceed to the next step immediately.
  8. Serve the Thai Spiced Tea 2 in traditional glassware, which enhances the experience with its aesthetic appeal. Enjoy immediately, savoring the harmonious blend of spices and sweetness.
Cover of Authentic Thai Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Thai Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Thai Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Thai volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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