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    Home » Recipes » How to Make The Best Authentic Yogi Tea From Scratch

    How to Make The Best Authentic Yogi Tea From Scratch

    Published: Apr 21, 2021 · Modified: Sep 28, 2022 by Mary Ann Rollano · 12 Comments I independently review every recommendation. May contain affiliate links.

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Authentic Yogi Tea is a spiced tea. It is delicious and made with only six ingredients you probably already have at home. PLUS, it's an amazing digestive tea that boosts the immune system. Forget detox tea!

    authentic yogi tea in a glass cup
    Yogi spiced tea

    Make authentic yogi chai at home.

    This yogi spiced tea recipe is so delicious and an easy way to get your healthy beverages. It's the perfect drink for a between-meal snack.

    What is Yogi Tea?

    Yogi tea is a spiced tea, a traditional tea from India made with warming spices. It's based on Ayurvedic medicine to enhance digestion, increase circulation, and boost your immune system.

    Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine native to India and part of Indian Philosophy dating back to 700 BCE. It includes the use of herbal blends in beverages and cooking with the addition of spice combinations.

    With this easy and delicious traditional yogi tea recipe, you can make the real thing right in your kitchen! Yogi tea uses warming spices you probably already have.

    Six Simple Ingredients

    1. cardamom
    2. cinnamon
    3. cloves
    4. black peppercorn
    5. ginger
    6. black tea

    What is Yogi Detox Tea?

    Many detox teas contain ingredients that increase gastrointestinal movement. The Yogi Detox Tea contains intestinal cleansing herbs such as Dandelion and Burdock. The Dandelion in Yogi Detox Tea stimulates bile production in the liver while acting as a diuretic. Increased water and bile in the intestines soften stools, while Burdock facilitates bowel movements.

    The yogi tea recipe in this post is a spiced tea recipe designed to support your immune system and does NOT contain these cleansing herbs.

    Yogi Tea Recipe

    English Breakfast Tea The Tea Spot for Hot Toddy Tea
    spiced tea spices shown cloves peppercorn cinnamon and cardamon
    yogi spiced tea

    Pro Tips:

    • I recommend a robust black tea for the black tea, such as an English Breakfast, an Indian Assam, or a nice Chinese Keemun. You want to select the type of black tea that holds up well to milk and sugar to balance the intense spice flavors.
    • All spiced tea blends use cardamom. It's the most important and expensive spice in the mix. Cardamom is one of the most expensive spices in the world. The good news is you don't need a lot of it to flavor your yogi spiced tea.

    How Do You Make Yogi Tea?

    It's similar to an Indian Chai but emphasizes the medicinal aspects of the ingredients and in higher quantities.

    This recipe makes 4 cups of yogi tea spiced tea. You can easily create a single serving by quartering the ingredients.

    authentic yogi tea in glass cup

    Authentic Yogi Tea Recipe

    Mary Ann Rollano
    Spiced tea recipe made with only six ingredients. A delicious and easy way to stay healthy, it's a digestive tea that also enhances the immune system.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 123 kcal

    Equipment

    • spice grinder

    Ingredients
      

    • 16 cardamom pods
    • 2 cinnamon stick
    • 12 cloves
    • 24 black peppercorns
    • 4 slices fresh ginger
    • 2 teaspoon black loose tea
    • 5 cup water
    • 2 cup milk
    • 2 teaspoon honey

    Instructions
     

    • In a saucepan, add all the spice ingredients to the water. Do not add the tea and the milk yet.
    • Bring water to a boil.
    • Turn down the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
    • At the end of the simmering, add the black tea and steep for 5 minutes.
    • Add milk.
    • Reheat until JUST before the boil. Remove from heat.
    • Stir in honey.
    • Pour through a strainer into a large glass pyrex measuring cup.
    • Pour into individual serving cups.

    Notes

    After you add the milk watch it very closely. When the milk just comes to the boiling point be sure to take the pot off the burner just before the milk begins to froth up. Be careful as this will happen very quickly.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 123kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 5gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 72mgPotassium: 279mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 2.1mgCalcium: 202mgIron: 1.4mg
    Keyword Chai Tea, Spiced Tea, Yogi Tea
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This spiced tea recipe is based on the original Yogi tea recipe from the book: The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs.

    What Are The Benefits of Yogi Tea?

    Spiced teas contain many antioxidants that help strengthen your body's immune system.

    Cardamom:  One of the world's most expensive spices, right next to vanilla and saffron. It's a seed from India. The seed pod is a member of the ginger family and is useful for enhancing digestion and reducing gas. It increases mental clarity and neutralizes mucous-forming properties when added to milk.

    Cinnamon:  Cinnamon is a warming digestive enhancer. Cinnamon also has antiseptic and antibacterial qualities. Cinnamon contains large amounts of highly potent polyphenol antioxidants. Some studies show that the antioxidants in cinnamon have anti-inflammatory activity.

    Related:

    • 15 Best Online Tea Shops
    • Top 10 Health Benefits of Tea
    • Spiced Tea With an Apple Citrus Twist
    • Quick and Easy Homemade Masala Chai
    • Mango Chai Smoothie Recipe

    Cloves: A tropical spice and another warming spice good for digestion. It reduces gas and is suitable for stiff joints due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

    Cloves are used frequently to relieve gum pain and sore throats and often for an upset stomach. It is also a good source of Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Calcium, and Iron, and an excellent source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Magnesium, and Manganese.

    Black peppercorns: The most well-regarded blood purifying medicine in Asia. Black pepper helps to relieve sinus congestion. Black pepper is also a digestive aid, immune enhancer, and mild circulatory enhancer.

    Ginger: Ayurveda calls ginger universal medicine. There's nothing in Ayurveda that doesn't benefit from ginger. Ginger is a mild digestion enhancer. Ginger enhances all the systems in your body, including immune function. Ginger is used for menstrual cramps and joint pain. It's very well known as an arthritis remedy for osteoarthritis.

    Ginger tea may help relieve nausea and gastric distress.

    Black tea: In this recipe, tea synergizes the other ingredients and tastes. The tea used in this recipe is minimal, but you can add more to your liking. Tea is a good source of antioxidants that may boost your immune system.

    Which Spiced Tea is The Best?

    I've written about several different spiced tea recipes on this blog in the past. I love them all. But the best-spiced tea is the one you make at home. Making spiced tea at home offers the benefits of great tea with fresh herbs and spices.

    Each recipe has its variation of spices blended with tea. Sometimes fruits are added. Traditional ayurvedic spiced teas are mixed with spices specifically designed to promote health and enhance a sense of calm.

    It's a much healthier digestive tea than all those crazy detox teas. I could drink this tea every single day!

    Further Reading:

    • The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs
    • RSC Chemistry World: The Spice of Life
    • Guide to Medicinal Herbs
    • The New Complete Book of Herbs, Spices, and Condiments
    • Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies

    New To Tea? START HERE >>

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    About Mary Ann Rollano

    Mary Ann is a 3x award-winning tea specialist, nurse, and author of Life Is Better With Tea - introducing tea drinkers to the world of specialty tea, herbs, and wellness. Click here for your FREE Tea Guide.

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    1. Christa

      August 17, 2021 at 5:34 pm

      A quick question. On the recipe says equipment needed grinder. Do I need to grind any of the spices or just throw them in the pan? Thanks.

      Log in to Reply
      • Mary Ann Rollano

        September 08, 2021 at 2:27 pm

        Freshly grinding the spices with a spice grinder gives you the full benefit of the aromatic compounds in the spices. Aromatic compounds are the flavors that make these spices so delicious.

        Log in to Reply
    2. Jess

      May 10, 2021 at 4:31 pm

      5 stars
      My sis tried this, and gave it 5 stars! Bravo!
      That being said, spices are pricey, and my budget is tight. My collection is slowly but steadily increasing. I have a few (cloves, ginger, peppercorns) but not all.
      What I do have is a bag of Vahdam Double Spice Masala Chai - a blend of CTC Assam, Cinnamon Chips, Cardamom, Whole Cloves, Peppercorns. The Assam tea is top notch, but spice-wise, the blend is extremely low on cardamom. (I'm assuming that's to do with the cost.) The original recipe/preparation is nearly identical to this.
      Quick Questions:
      1: Would you recommend adding extra spice? *(particularly additional cardamom?)
      2: Adding more cardamom to the brew?
      3: Do the best results come from using dairy? *(I prefer using almond milk in my drinks and bakes.)
      Thanks!

      Log in to Reply
      • Mary Ann Rollano

        May 27, 2021 at 11:59 am

        Thanks for sharing, Jess. You can certainly add more cardamom to the blend if you like. Try grinding the spice for more flavor. Any milk will be delicious, but if you use almond milk, that's fine. Some studies have shown the casein in cow's milk interferes with the antioxidant activity of tea compounds — the polyphenols in tea bind with the casein in cow's milk.

        Log in to Reply
      • Mary Ann Rollano

        September 08, 2021 at 2:34 pm

        You could use the Vahdam blend and add more cardamom to your taste preference. Any dairy or non-dairy milk will work in this recipe. Whole milk will give it a fuller mouthfeel, but nut milk also works well.

        Log in to Reply
    3. Jacqui Phillips

      January 22, 2021 at 10:15 am

      Can you used ground cinnamon in this recipe. I have all the other ingredients so would love to try this then get cinnamon sticks in my next online home grocery delivery

      Log in to Reply
      • Mary Ann Rollano

        January 22, 2021 at 11:24 am

        Jacqui - yes, you can use ground cinnamon for the infusion. This will still give you all the cinnamon flavors and benefits. You will strain the ground cinnamon before drinking.

        Log in to Reply
    4. Emma

      July 23, 2020 at 2:53 am

      5 stars
      Can this tea be stored for later. If so, for how long? Thankyou x

      Log in to Reply
    5. Rod

      April 02, 2020 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      Great yogi tea recipe. I tried it today. Can’t explain how life changing it is to drink tea and spiced teas after quitting coffee. Thank you!

      Log in to Reply
    6. Karen

      February 21, 2019 at 7:25 am

      Hi, I had some great tea at Starbucks the other day and they use steam milk. Can you recommend a steamer for milk just 40 without the other options? Thanks so much

      Log in to Reply
      • Mary Ann Rollano

        February 22, 2019 at 7:28 pm

        I haven't seen a steam wand separate from an espresso maker yet. I've only seen the milk frother as a separate item, which is much different than injecting steam into the milk. I did find this Bella personal espresso maker with a steam wand that may work.

        Log in to Reply
    7. Liz

      February 20, 2019 at 11:00 pm

      5 stars
      I love this! I'm going to try it because I really am not a fan of the detox tea. Thank you.

      Log in to Reply

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    Hi, I'm Mary Ann, an award-winning tea expert, retired registered nurse, and author writing tips on all types of tea and herbs. I show you all the benefits of tea - nutrition, medicine, and an abundance of culinary joy.

    I believe tea is more than a beverage; it's a lifestyle. Tea calms the mind and soothes the spirit. If you want to live well, start by drinking tea.

    Here I show you how to select quality loose leaf teas, make tea with the best flavor, and create tea recipes. Experience a lifestyle change of wellness through the beauty of tea.

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