Yogi Tea Recipe

Making at least four ten-ounce servings of tea in your pot, wait until the water is boiling, and then add the following for each serving:

          3 whole cloves

          4 whole green cardamon pods, cracked

          4 whole black peppercorns

          ½ stick cinnamon

          1/8 inch thick slice of ginger (optional)

         ¼ teaspoon oregano seeds (optional, as a flu and cold deterrent)

Continue to boil at least 10-15 minutes, or up to an hour or even longer if a stronger beverage is desired. Turning off the heat, then add for each serving:

          ¼ teaspoon black or green tea, steeping for several minutes*

         4 ounces milk, after making sure temperature has cooled somewhat**

         honey to taste (wait until mixture has cooled somewhat)***

     * If you are making yogi tea for a larger number of people, you might consider decaffeinated tea, as some people can be sensitive to caffeinated beverages. The original Yogi Bhajan recipe uses regular black tea.

    ** If you are making the tea for a larger number of people, consider using soy, rice, or almond   milk, instead of cow’s milk--some people have allergic responses to cow’s milk. The original Yogi Bhajan recipe uses cow’s milk.

***You could substitute other sweeteners, such as stevia, sucanat, maple syrup, or jaggery, although the original Yogi Bhajan recipe uses honey.

Each ingredient has a specific use within the physical body: the cloves fortify the nervous system; the cardamon, the colon; the peppercorns purify the blood; the cinnamon strengthens the bones; the ginger stimulates the immune response and provides extra energy. The milk aids in easy assimilation of the spices and prevents irritation to the digestive system. The tea acts as an alloy of all of the ingredients, and makes this beverage delicious to drink. Enjoy!

[Jim Deneff, instructor of Kundalini Yoga, offers entry-level and intermediate-level classes in the Sacramento CA area. Please refer to the Schedule & Events page for details.]