Kundalini Yoga communities around the world brew Yogi Tea. Its familiar, delicious aroma fills any space you boil it in. Like a big warm hug!
Growing up, we never had hot chocolate in our health-conscious house. Sugar was banned. Instead, on cold snowy nights the smell of Yogi Tea filled our home. Yum. It’s the most comforting drink I know, and is a great substitute for coffee or hot chocolate when winter is making you go brrrrrrrrr.
It’s super easy to make! I hope it becomes a staple in your home too.
Sat Nam,
Gurushabd
What’s the story?
When Yogi Bhajan was a military commander in India there was an epidemic among the troops. He ordered all of his men to fill their canteens with yogi tea and drink nothing else, not even water. His Battalion was the only unit that didn’t get sick! Yogi tea purifies the blood, lungs and circulatory system. It cleans the liver and has many more unseen benefits. Yogi Bhajan gave this recipe to his students and told us it is good to drink this tea every day. Side note: the tea brand Yogi evolved from this original recipe.
Why are we so crazy about this?
Besides it tasting delicious:
Black pepper is a blood purifier
Cardamom pods aid digestion
Cloves are beneficial to the nervous system
Cinnamon strengthens the bones
Ginger root is healing for colds and flus and increases energy
Recipe for a big batch of Yogi Tea
1 Gallon Water
30 cloves
30 whole green cardamon pods
30 whole black peppercorns
1 lg finger of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
5 sticks cinnamon
1 teabag, Black Tea*
milk or milk substitute to taste** (optional)
honey or maple syrup to taste (optional)
Bring water to boil and add all spices except black tea bag. Boil for 30 – 45 minutes. Longer is stronger. I like to make a huge pot and keep it boiling for a few hours.
Finally, add black tea bag and boil another 5 min. Remove and discard the tea bag.
Add milk and honey as desired to individual cups or to a small batch. That way you can store the raw tea in the fridge and prepare with milk and honey as you go.
*While black tea is part of Yogi Bhajan’s original recipe, I usually skip out on it just because I don’t want that tiny dose of caffeine. It’s up to you!
Here is the reasoning for the black tea: The black tea is added last because it amalgamates the spices and sort of seals them. A homeopathic dose of black tea acts as an alloy for all the ingredients, creating just the right chemical balance. The tannins also help assimilate the spices into the body.
**Milk helps to ease the shock of the spiciness on the stomach, so drink with milk if you’re sensitive. While it was not a part of the original recipe, soy or other milk substitutes can be used.
Recipe for 1 cup of Yogi Tea:
For each cup:
10 ounces of water (about 1 1/3 cups)
3 whole cloves
4 whole green cardamom pods, cracked
4 whole black peppercorns
½ stick cinnamon
2 slices fresh ginger root
¼ teaspoon black tea
½ cup milk or milk alternative (optional)
honey or maple syrup to taste (optional)
Bring water to a boil and add spices. Cover and boil 15 to 20 minutes, then add black tea. Let sit for a few minutes, then add the milk and return to a boil. Don’t let it boil over. When it reaches a boil, remove immediately from heat, strain, and sweeten if desired.