Food - Drink
The Minimum Steep Time For Tea Made With Fresh Ginger
By NATASHA BAILEY
For thousands of years, ginger has been used in medicine, food, and beverages like tea. For those who love ginger, ginger tea is a no-caffeine, lower-sugar alternative to ginger ale that can even help soothe an upset stomach or nausea, but if you make it at home, make sure to steep it long enough for the best results.
Ginger tea can be made by pouring boiling water over peeled and sliced ginger, but to unlock the full flavor of ginger, you should simmer the root in water for at least 10 minutes, until the tea takes on a dark color. Whether you steep or simmer, your tea will become spicier and more flavorful the longer the mixture sits.
You can either use dried or fresh ginger for tea, and though the dried variety has many of the same health benefits as fresh, raw ginger usually has a more robust flavor. If you're making a big batch of tea, use a ratio of one cup of sliced ginger to eight cups of water, and let it simmer and reduce for about 25 minutes.