Pryanyi Chai or Spicy Tea; now that winter is coming, it is time for traditional Russian warmup drinks. Did I just say Winter? I know, it is just Sept. 13th, but here in Russia, Autumn has arrived and it is time to get serious about Russian type foods. They are great for long hard winters…
This tea can be found while driving down the highways of Russia. When you enter a small village, look for the babushka sitting by the road. She will either be selling veggies in summer and or hot spicy tea, if the weather is getting cold. Makes the drive across endless Russia all the better…
Lets look at a great pick-me-up hot drink for those long winter cold nights…
Russian Spice Tea or Pryanyi Chai…
Ingredients: (Recipe is for a large group, adjust for smaller servings…)
15 tablespoons black tea leaves
3 tablespoons clove (whole)
4 tablespoons of zest of tangerine (Grated tangerine top layer peelings)
4 whole cinnamon sticks
4 quarts filtered water (one gallon)
1 cup honey
1/4 cup lemon juice (fresh preferred, but take what you can get…)
Make It:
Served from this in Russia… (Samovar)
Very simple; Place the tea leaves, cloves, zest and cinnamon sticks into a cheesecloth bag and tie the top tightly. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil, add the bag, remove from the heat, and allow to steep, covered, for 10 minutes. Then add the rest of the water (total one gallon) and bring to a boil again…
After you let steep again for 10 minutes; Add the honey & lemon juice, stir and serve and or…
This tea may be made in advance and kept for two to three days if it is covered and refrigerated. Just warm up as needed…
Just cut ingredients in half to make smaller amounts. But….you will find on a cold day, that this tea disappears quickly…
Brrr it is cold today…
WtR