Ginger Tea~Healthy benefits, Recipe for fresh ginger tea.

Ginger tea is a nice refreshing non-alcoholic, caffeine-free tea made from ginger, which have many healthy benefits. 

Ginger has a warm spicy taste which is sometimes described as peppery, with a pungent spicy aroma. 

It is commonly used for various purposes. Most people usually mistake it for only cooking purpose little do they know there is more to it. It can be used as a key ingredient to spice up various dishes and recipes, used in flavoring drinks and so on. It is also very medicinal as researchers have proven it to be. 

                 Ginger(Zingiber officinale) 

Its nutritional composition consists of carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, water and volatile oils which are fully intact when the ginger is fresh and tends to reduce as it dries up. 

To preserve fresh ginger, if unpeeled or uncut place on a tray or basket then keep it in a well ventilated room. If peeled or cut put into an airtight container or sealed plastic bag then keep inside a refrigerator.

Gingers unique characteristic flavor and fragnance are gotten from its volatile oils primarily consisting of zingerone, shaogals and the most important of which is gingerol. Zingerone and shaogals result from a break down reaction of gingerol when ginger is dried or cooked this explains why dried ginger tends to be more spicy than fresh ginger. 

Gingerol is the main compound in ginger responsible for much of its medical properties. According to so many research carried out by researchers on ginger over the years have shown that gingerol has a anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that can help inhibit the growth of different bacteria, it helps lower the risk of infections, it helps reduce vomiting/nausea, it helps relieve an upset stomach, it aids digestion, it helps relieve nasal congestion, it helps ease cold and flu, it helps relieve pains, it helps reduce blood pressure and also it helps boost immunity. 

Making fresh ginger tea-

The refreshing, healthy, natural immune boosting ginger tea is very easy to make, stress-free and not time consuming.

All you for this:

A cup

Ginger

Clean water

Honey to taste(optional) 

Lemon to taste(optional)

 

For  accurate measurement of the quantity of ginger to use, cut it into round slices as shown below. 

For the amount of water to use for each slice

-If you are using a mug use one slice of ginger that is if the size of your ginger is as big as the one in the above picture but if half its size, use two slices. 

-If you are using a small glass tea cup(150ml)  use half the size of one slice that is if the size of your ginger is the same as the one in the above picture but if half its size use one small slice 
Note: this is just a glimpse of what the measurement should be like, if you are using a different size of cup have in mind you should be moderate with your measurements to avoid excessive intake of ginger.

Steps:

1. Boil water, allow to boil very well. 

2. As u wait for the water to boil, measure and slice your ginger, peel the outer layer, wash properly with warm water, pound or cut the ginger into tiny pieces then put into your cup. 

3. Immediately the water boil well, pour into your cup and allow to steep for 10 seconds. 

4. Use a tea strainer to sieve the ginger particles or you can use your teaspoon to drain out the ginger particles. 

5. If honey or lemon is available add a teaspoon of honey, squeeze the lemon juice into the tea and stir properly. 

6. Voilà! your ginger tea is ready. 

If honey or lemon isn't available you can drink the ginger tea that way since ginger alone have a flavor taste. 

It is important to take ginger with moderation, too much consumption can have side effects such as heartburn and diarrhoea. Although taking ginger is considered safe, it does interact with some medications such as anticoagulants. 

So, if you are in any form of medications seek a doctor's advice before you take ginger.