A steaming cup of cardamom black tea for a snowy afternoon
When in the afternoon I need a break to lighten up my mind and warm up my hands and my spirit, I put the kettle on the fire and brew a flavored black tea. The cardamom black tea is my latest passion.
When it comes to food, I am a fairly daring person, I taste with pleasure and a hint of challenge every kind of food, even those I might not like at first glance. Basically I am very curious and this pushes me beyond my comfort zone.
The same can not be said of my attitude towards drinking. You already know that I am basically a soft drink person, but do not be surprised if I tell you that I had the first sip of Coke when I was more than 25 years old, and obviously I did not like it. My friends laugh at me, saying I’m definitely more English than Italian as my favorite drink, at any time of the day, is tea.
I usually drink from 2 up to 6 cups of green tea a day – sencha or jasmine bancha tea – but in the morning or afternoon, when I need a boost of energy, there is nothing better than a strong cup of black tea flavoured with different spices accordingly to the season.
Shortly before Christmas Claudia and I decided to dedicate some time to the DIY, creating our favourite shades of flavoured afternoon black tea. We bought a wonderful Chinese Keemun black tea and we divided it into two glass jars: one turned romantic and feminine with dried rose petals and vanilla bean, ideal for slow afternoons and rice biscuits.
The other one was enriched with cardamom, a spice that goes well with tea, coffee and chocolate, to turn it into a fresh and energizing drink with a subtle Arabic tone. You can make it in a minute and then leave it to rest patiently for a while.
Cardamom black tea
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share by EmailIngredients
- 50 g of loose leaf black tea
- 1 teaspoon of cardamom pods
- 1 glass jar or tin
Instructions
- Open the cardamom berries and crush the seeds in a mortar to release the essential oils.
- Mix the black tea leaves with the cardamom pods and seeds and close them in a glass jar or tin.
- Let it sit for a month or so before using it, so that cardamom has time to release its essence and enrich the tea.
If you want some tips on how to brew a perfect black tea, which is the right water temperature and the time of infusion, I suggest you to take note of this useful graphic scheme.
After two weeks of care-free life in London I found myself in the Tuscan countryside, completely covered in snow, silent, peaceful and fairly isolated. A cup of steaming tea is the perfect antidote to the piercing cold and the freezing wind.
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OMG, your contryside looks even more beautiful with snow than autumn time. OK, that was gorgeous too but it’s great to see everything covered with snow!
Gorgeous snow pictures! I need that tea right now.
Cheers,
Rosa
I am more a coffee person myself, but enjoy a cup of tea when it’s cold like these days. I like to spice black tea with different aromas and your recipe is great, since I am a huge fan of cardamom 🙂
We woke up today covered up in snow and temperatures have gotten really low (minus 20 degrees Celsius). However, I am enjoying true winter finally 🙂
Wow, that looks cold!
Your tea sounds wonderful, and I love the jar you served it in 🙂
Giulia – YOU are one of the very best food bloggers in existence. Your recipes, pictures, and glowing spirit/personality make you tower above the rest. This praise is not high Enough… so please accept it.
P.S. Most of all, Thank you for the English translations 😀
Although it is not snowy here, it has been rainy all day. Quite dreary, but we are thankful for the rain. I would love a cup of this right now. Great presentation.
What a beautiful view you have, I know you know you are a very lucky girl!
I thought I saw that piece of lace before 😉 glad to see it in your post!
“Tea is a cup of life.”
xxx
This tea sounds absolutely perfect for the gorgeous surroundings you are in – warm, comforting and soothing 🙂
Must try this for my mum!
Thanks and I love your blog!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Coffee Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Exactly what I’d like to drink now, whilst looking at snowy Monte Amiata from our kitchen window…
Do you happen to have any hints for great tea shops in Siena or the rest of Tuscany? It’s something I really miss here. Always come back from Switzerland with a bag full of different teas (like a fantastic Green tea with natural Bourbon Vanilla from London Tea house…).
Cheers Katja
Ciao Katja, I do have some advice for you!
In Siena visit Peter’s Tea House, Via Montanini, many teas and average prices
http://www.peters-teahouse.com/it/negozi/siena.php
In Florence you cannot miss La Via del Tè, amazing!!
http://www.laviadelte.it/
That was quick – thanks! I just got my night cup of Bamboo tea ready in the meantime!
I’ve been to la via del Tè’s shop opposite Palazzo Pitti in Florence which is in fact lovely! Just that I hardly ever make it to Florence… so great to hear about the option in Siena!
Grazie ancora
Katja
Tuscany under snow is exquisite!! (although I am Canadian and rather love snow, so I might be biased!) 🙂 Your blog is gorgeous. Because of migraines, I tend to stick to tisana (i.e. no caffeine). Do you drink any tisana/have any suggestions?
I am a fennel addicted, I drink a fennel infusion almost every evening, but speking about no caffeine infusion, rooibos is absolutely the best substitute! I love the winter version with cinnamon and vanilla!
Oh wow! My favorite spice, cardamom. I’ve had cardamom in hot chocolate but never tea. Brilliant! I love tea and now I can’t wait to brew this.
Julie, this is a great combination of flavors! I’m a big dan of tea, especially when it is cold outside. It keeps you worm 🙂
Beautiful photos, like always! So stuning!
I love this post, Juls! So simple and beautiful. The images of the snow from your house are stunning.
I’m a huge tea drinker and lover of cardamom so this sounds perfect! I just added cardamom seeds to my market list. Beautiful photos!
Greetings!
I love your website – the pictures are so pretty! I wish I lived there!
I was wondering, do you by chance, know how many ounces 50g of loose tea is? Or maybe what it would be in teaspoons using American measurements?
Thank you.
Hello Katherine, check this useful website, you can convert from metrics to any units you want! http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/cooking-conversions/calc.aspx
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