2000s Recipes + Menus

Feel-Good Tea

Makesabout 2 cups
  • Active time:15 min
  • Start to finish:15 min
THE SEA GRILL
January 2001
Our executive food editor, Zanne Stewart, was served this tea by chef Ed Brown at The Sea Grill one evening when she was feeling ill. She asked for the recipe and now swears by its feel-good properties.
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2 lime
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 3 tablespoons palm sugar
  • 7 fresh or frozen kaffir lime leaves, cut into thirds
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
  • 1 lemongrass stalk (lower 6 inches only), cut into 1-inch pieces and smashed
  • 6 (1/4-inch-thick) slices fresh ginger
  • 5 whole allspice
  • 4 whole black peppercorns
  • 1 whole clove
  • 7 chamomile tea bags
  • 20 fresh mint leaves
  • Finely grate 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest and 1/4 teaspoon lime zest. Cut peel and pith from lemon and lime halves, and discard, saving pulp.
  • Bring lemon and lime zests and pulp and remaining ingredients except tea bags and mint to a boil in a sucepan. Reduce heat and simmer, covered 5 minutes. Remove from heat, then add tea bags and mint. Let steep, covered, 4 mintutes.
  • Pour tea through a fine sieve into a glass measure. Serve hot.
Cooks’ note: You can reheat the tea once it is brewed.
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