Ayurvedic Anise and Cardamom Tea

Do you enjoy herbal tea?
This herbal tea is not only soothing, but good for you.

This herbal blend  is tasty, aids the digestive system, and is relaxing. It is made from anise seeds and green cardamom pods that can be purchased in bulk at a reasonable price in any Indian grocery store. Anise and cardamom pods ( not ground) can also be purchased in some supermarkets in the spice isle, but they are a little pricier.

I live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania directly across the river from where the historical Battle of Trenton was fought against the British during the American Revolutionary War. In 1775, George Washington set up headquarters on many properties throughout Bucks County to plan that very battle.

One of his headquarters, known as Headquarters Farm, is a historic site that was later sold to private investors.

You may be wondering what George Washington  has to do with this herbal Tea.

Well, In the 1980's,  the carriage house at Headquarters Farm was home for a year to my friend Vicki. It was there that I was first introduced to the tea. Vicki had a rustic little kitchen and loved to make things from scratch. This tea was an Ayurvedic herbal blend that she learned in her travels to India. Until this day, whenever I visit Vicki, we always enjoy good conversation and a cup of anise and cardamom tea.

Are cardamom and anise seeds healthy? You bet..
Spices  are very rich sources of vital nutrients and antioxidants. Cardamom provides calcium, iron, magnesium , phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Cardamom also has small amounts of Vitamin C, B6, B1, B2, Niacin, and folate. In addition, anise seeds provide vitamins B complex, C, potassium, calcium, iron,  and sulfur. Spices and herbs are powerhouses of immune building antioxidants and nutrients.

The tea is simple to make. All you need is a small pot.

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon anise seeds
3-4 pods of green cardamom, crushed to expose inner seeds
3 cups water

Directions:

Place the water, anise seeds, and cardamom in a small pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 3 minutes. Shut off the heat and allow to steep for about 5 more minutes. Strain and serve hot.
Add a little honey or agave nectar if you like a sweet tea.

Enjoy.. this tea is soothing to the stomach, aids digestion, and the taste and aroma surpasses any tea you could brew from a tea bag.

Step by Step with Pictures

Purchase anise seeds and green cardamom pods at an Indian Grocery Store or supermarket



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  Fill a mesh tea holder with 1T anise seeds, and 4 cardamom pods ( cracked) ; Add to 3 cups water in a small pot or just put the herbs in the water loose ( that is what I do )

  
  

 

 Bring to a boil for 3 minutes; Turn off heat and allow to sit for an additional minute. 


Add honey or agave if you like it sweet or drink it just the way it is...



This recipe is posted on the following fabulous blogs:

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Full Plate Thursday,  Mouthwatering Monday,  Seasonal Saturday,
Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, My Meatless Mondays, Dr. Laura's Tasty Tuesday, Friday Potluck ,
 Midnight Maniac Meatless Mondays, Fight Back Friday, Foodie Friday, It's a blog party,
Simple Lives Thursday , Tuesdays At The Table,  Katies Cucina  Mouthwatering Mondays, Mingle Monday, Cravings,  Muffin Tin Monday, Gluten Free Wednesday   Real Food Wednesday , Gold Star Wednesday, Let's Do Brunch