Salabat – Filipino ginger tea

Salabat tea is especially popular during the relatively cool month of December in the Philippines, accompanied by seasonal treats. The hot drink is also recommended for a sore throat.

Generally speaking, we Pinoys (Filipinos) are not huge tea drinkers. In fact, if someone visits your house and you offer them some tea instead of coffee they would respond by saying, ‘I am feeling well, thank you’ or ‘But I am not sick.’ That’s because tea in the Philippines is usually recommended for when someone is not feeling well.

Serves 4

5cm (2in) piece of fresh ginger

1 litre (4 cups) water

1tbsp jaggery

juice of % lemon, if desired

1 Finely slice the fresh ginger and transfer to a small saucepan over a medium heat. Pour in the water and the jaggery and simmer for 8–25 minutes, depending on how potent you want it (you might want to add more water).

2 Strain and serve hot or room temperature.

FEELING
PITTA

Avoid this tea!