How to Make Fresh Ginger Tea Properly - Oh, How Civilized (2024)

Hot ginger tea is great for warming up on a cold day or for when you’re feeling under the weather. See how to make this herbal tea properly using fresh ginger, with tips from a Tea Sommelier.

Fresh Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is a drink made by steeping fresh or dried ginger in water. It’s an herbal beverage and doesn’t contain any caffeine. Ginger used in tea is the root of a flowering plant and it can be eaten raw or cooked. It’s spicy so a little goes a long way.

Ginger tea made from scratch, using fresh ginger, may seem like a lot of work, but it’s actually quick and easy using a couple of shortcuts that involves a grater.

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5 Ginger Tea Health Benefits

1. Contains Antioxidants

Ginger is an excellent source of health-promoting antioxidant compounds. This mainly includes gingerols, parasols, and shogaols. Antioxidants protect your cells by minimizing free radicals and oxidative stress, a major cause of chronic disease.

2. Reduces Inflammation

The antioxidants in ginger also have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. They work by reducing certain proteins, called pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are involved in inflammation. This may help manage inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

3. Minimizes Nausea

Ginger may ease nausea caused by surgery, medication, motion sickness, or pregnancy.Ginger also helps control other digestive issues like gas, bloating, stomach cramping, which often appear with nausea.

4. Manages High Blood Pressure

One of the biggest risk factors for heart disease is high blood pressure, or hypertension. Ginger can reduce the risk by increasing substances that widen blood vessels, ultimately improving blood flow and reducing pressure.

5. Protects Brain Function

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of gingerols and shogaols can protect your neurons, or nerve cells. This may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other memory disorders.

Side Effects of Ginger Tea

Ginger and ginger tea might cause heartburn, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort, especially if you drink too much. The strong, spicy flavor may also irritate your mouth.If this happens when you drink ginger tea, consider diluting the drink with more water.

Ginger might increase the risk of bleeding, according to Mount Sinai Hospital. More research is needed, but if you’re taking blood-thinning medications, ask your doctor if it’s safe to drink ginger tea.

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Ingredient Notes

• Fresh ginger: Find ginger root in the produce section of your supermarket. Look for firm pieces that look plump.
• Lemon: Sliced lemons or lemon juice both work.
• Honey: Use any kind of honey you have available.
• Water: Tea is mostly made of water so use filtered water if possible.

For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Peel and grate ginger. Grate ginger straight into the teapot.

Step 2: Add lemon slices and hot water into the teapot.

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Step 3: Cover and steep.

Herbals teas can steep for longer than black tea or green tea. The longer you steep, the stronger the ginger and lemon flavor.

Step 4: Strain solids and pour hot tea into a teacup. Add honey to taste.

Recipe Notes

No need to buy the entire ginger root.

Avoid buying fresh ginger root that’s shriveled and dry. Look for one that’s plump and firm. Ginger is usually sold by weight, not by the piece, so don’t be afraid to break off a piece of the freshest ginger root in the pile if it’s too big.

Adjust ginger as needed.

Add as much or little ginger as you like since it can get too spicy. For a serving of 1 cup of water, I’m using an half inch of fresh ginger root. If you want a milder taste, use less ginger.

Keep grated ginger in the freezer.

You can grate ginger ahead of time and freeze it. Store it in a resealable plastic bag, flattening it before freezing.

RELATED: How to Freeze and Store Fresh Ginger

Expert Tips

• A teapot with a strainer lid or a French press is great for making ginger tea.
• Instead of sliced lemons, you can also use the juice from half a lemon.
• To peel fresh ginger easily, use a spoon to scrape off the peel.
• Make sure to scrub and wash the lemons before slicing them.
• For a refreshing summer drink, make it iced by cooling the drink down, then adding ice.

Questions You May Have

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