Recipe : Lemongrass Tea With Gingseng

Yields: Makes 6 servings  

 

When is your tea worth many times the value of the cup in which it sits? When it is laced with ginseng! Some rare ginseng roots can cost up to $10,000. These days, health experts are studying ginseng's health benefits, including enhanced energy - what we call "chi" in China. The next time you propose a toast to good health, do it with ginseng tea.

Ingredients

• 8 stalks lemongrass
• 2 pods cardamom, lightly crushed
• 2 whole star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 1-inch chunks rock sugar or 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 6 cups cold water
• 4 teabags green tea
• 3 teabags instant ginseng tea

Methods

1. Using the flat side of a large knife, bruise 2 of the lemongrass stalks.
2. In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the 2 bruised lemongrass stalks, cardamom, star anise, cinnamon, sugar, and water and bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the teabags, and let steep for 10 minutes.
4. Strain the tea into a 2-quart pitcher, discarding the solids, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Fill 6 tall, chilled glasses with ice and pour the tea over the ice.
6. Garnish each with one of the remaining lemongrass stalks.