Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea
Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea (Filipino Salabat) is soothing and healing, especially during cold and flu season. Also good for nausea and to aid digestion.
Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea (Filipino Salabat) is soothing and healing, especially during cold and flu season. It is also good when dealing with nausea or digestive issues.
Slowing Down
The house is still — it is the quietest (and emptiest) it’s been in a while, and although peaceful, I miss the background noise of the kids. They’re back to school after a wonderful Thanksgiving break. The time together was much needed after an insanely hectic couple of months.
If there is one good thing that emerged from the poor air quality we experienced in the Bay Area due to the tragic fires, it forced us to slow down and spend time together.
Taking a Breath
With activities and school canceled, we shifted our travel plans and drove to San Diego early to escape the smoke, and visit my sister and her husband. There’s nothing like a road trip to help you focus on one another. The clean air and escape were much, much needed, for all of us. With each deep breath we were able to take, it was a good reminder that time off is so necessary, with no alarms, no emails, no homework, and no rushing here, there, and everywhere.
It was also a good time to reflect, to give thanks, and to welcome the holiday season. Between turkey leftovers, trimming the Christmas tree, and finding joy in all of our family’s little traditions, we were able to reset.
Maintaining My Peace
Now that we’re back to the daily grind, I have made a personal promise to myself to never let things get as hectic as they did before our break. I want that calm and peace to permeate the holiday season.
Ginger Tea Ritual
I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing more comforting to me than a fresh cup of tea in the middle of the day. I find it grounding and soothing. Around this time of year, sometimes you’ve eaten too much, are nursing a cold or a sore throat, or need some help with tummy troubles.
There’s nothing better than homemade fresh ginger tea to warm and heal from within. My mother used to make it when I was younger. In the Philippines, ginger tea is called salabat, and it is especially good when you aren’t feeling well.
Memories of Sentimental Ginger Tea
She used to also make Filipino salabat before my performances, too. I’ll never forget when she drove up a batch upstate before my college acapella performance. Honey Ginger Tea does wonders for your vocal cords! So, just in case you have some holiday concerts coming up, I highly recommend it!
But even if you’re not performing, sick, or trying to remedy the Monday blues, fresh ginger tea is the perfect way to treat yourself to a moment of calm in the middle of the day, whenever you need a hug. Those moments are important, especially this time of year.
More Heartwarming Recipes:
Arroz Caldo | Filipino Chicken and Rice Soup
Brown Butter Pumpkin Blondies
Spiced Butternut Squash Lentil Soup (Vegan)
Nutella Swirl Brownies
Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea (Filipino Salabat)
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 4 oz fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch pieces (about 5 inch piece)
- 1/4 cup honey (or sugar)
Instructions
- Combine the water, ginger, and honey in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir to dissolve the honey.
- Lower heat, cover, and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
- Strain and transfer the tea into a teapot or your preferred container. Enjoy immediately, with a slice of lemon and additional honey to taste.
- Chill any remaining ginger tea and store in the refrigerator — you can drink it chilled or reheat before serving.
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
I wonder if this blog is still active. I’m not very good with measurements but how many pieces of the sliced ginger should I put (assuming it’s the 5-inch ones indicated in the recipe)?
Thanks!
Hi Maureen! The number of pieces can depend on the shape of the knob of ginger. There are no hard measurements — if you don’t have access to a scale to measure 4oz of ginger, take about a 5-inch piece of ginger and slice it into 1/4-inch thick pieces – you can go bigger if you wish, this recipe is very flexible. I hope that helps!
They say there’s no solid science behind it, but I’ve personally experienced how salabat can fix your voice ~ it fixed mine back in the day > it’s just, ginger! >_ the honey can only make it better anyhow; thank you so, so much for sharing this <3 <3 <3
It really is amazing, isn’t it, Jill!? So soothing and restorative!
Can I use sugar substitute instead of honey?
You may, though the honey is very soothing. Feel free to substitute!
Thank you for posting this! I had a craving for something warm and comforting today, and remembered my parents making this tea throughout my childhood when someone in the family was sick. I haven’t been feeling so well myself, and this really warms you up from the inside out. Salamat.
You’re so welcome, Kristine! I had some yesterday myself — it’s so soothing this time of year! Glad to have brought you a taste of your memories!
very nice tea! Love the ginger, very different from my boring default teas with no additional ingredients, appreciate the honey too, and yes a nice afternoon break
You’ll get all the health benefits of honey if you add it when the tea is cold. Heat kills the enzymes and beneficial bacteria.
Appreciate the tip, Riss!
This looks delicious – I must add honey to mine! I make a tea like this but it is more to use up leftover ginger peel and bits of lemongrass leftover from other recipes: https://www.rachelphipps.com/2013/10/what-to-do-with-leftover-asian-flavours.html
How important is it to peel the ginger?