In brief
- Ginger tea is a hot infusion of fresh ginger, sweetened and sometimes flavoured with lime.
- Origin: Jamaica, the Caribbean.
- Essential ingredients: fresh ginger, water, sugar, lime.
- Any hot drink is called “tea” in Jamaica, where ginger has been grown since colonial times.
Origins and cultural history of ginger tea
Ginger was introduced to the Caribbean in the sixteenth century, coming from Asia, and quickly became a major export crop on several islands, including Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. Jamaica became an important producer of it under British colonisation. In Jamaican culture, any hot drink is called “tea”, and ginger tea, made from the fresh root infused in hot water, is one of the everyday drinks at home.
It differs from gnamakoudji, the West African ginger juice, which is always drunk very cold.
What are the essential ingredients of ginger tea
Ginger tea relies on few ingredients, infused hot and then sweetened to taste.
- fresh ginger
- water
- sugar or honey
- lime, optional
What to know about the ginger tea
Ginger tea is a hot infusion of fresh ginger, sweetened with sugar or honey and sometimes finished with lime. In Jamaica, any hot drink is called “tea”, and this one is an everyday drink at home. Allow 5 to 15 minutes over low heat, then strain out the pieces of root: the longer it infuses, the more peppery the tea becomes. It should not be confused with gnamakoudji, the West African ginger juice, which is always drunk very cold.
Frequently asked questions about ginger tea
Can ginger tea be made with powdered ginger?
Yes. In the absence of fresh root, one teaspoon of powdered ginger per cup replaces fresh ginger, with a slightly different taste, less sharp than freshly grated root.
How long should ginger tea be infused?
Allow 5 to 15 minutes over low heat depending on the intensity you want: the longer the infusion, the sharper the tea becomes. Then strain to remove the pieces of root.
Where to find the ingredients for ginger tea in France?
NKOSI sells the cane sugar, lime juice and powdered ginger from this recipe and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
