Lemon Ginger Tea
A bright, caffeine-free blend that tastes like lemon and ginger tea but gets its body from roasted chicory root, not a tea leaf in sight.
What It Is
This is a blended herbal tisane, meaning it brews like tea but contains no Camellia sinensis at all. The base is roasted chicory root, which gives it a satisfying depth that most herbal teas skip. Lemongrass and lemon essential oil bring the citrus brightness, ginger root adds warmth and a mild bite, and hibiscus gives the cup a faint rosy color and a tart edge. Orange peel, coriander, and cinnamon round it out so the flavor feels complete rather than one-note.
Because there is no caffeine, it works morning, afternoon, or evening without keeping anyone up.
What To Do
Steep one heaping teaspoon per cup in water that has just come off the boil, around 200 to 205 degrees, for five to seven minutes. Longer steeping deepens the chicory notes; shorter keeps it brighter and more citrus-forward. It is good plain, but a little honey plays well with the ginger and lemon.
Try it iced in summer: brew it double strength, pour over ice, and add a splash of milk of choice if you want something creamy. Store it in a sealed container away from light and heat, and it will hold its flavor for at least a year.
