Carrageenan Free Green Tea with Lemon Balm and Ginger
This soothing brew layers the grassy brightness of green tea with the citrusy floral lift of fresh lemon balm and a gentle warmth from sliced ginger — it's the kind of cup that makes you slow down and actually enjoy the moment. Many packaged teas and bottled drinks sneak in thickeners and stabilizers that people sensitive to certain additives need to avoid, so brewing from scratch with whole, recognizable ingredients is the cleanest way to go. Every component here — loose-leaf green tea, fresh herbs, raw honey, and a squeeze of lemon juice — is exactly what it sounds like, nothing hidden. The technique matters too: bringing the ginger to a gentle simmer first coaxes out its warmth without overpowering the more delicate notes, and letting the water cool slightly before steeping the green tea keeps the flavor smooth and clear rather than sharp or astringent. Pressing the lemon balm leaves through the strainer releases their aromatic oils, which gives the finished cup a fragrant, almost herbal-citrus quality that feels genuinely special. A drizzle of raw honey ties everything together with just enough sweetness to balance the ginger's bite. It's an effortless recipe that rewards a little patience and tastes far more refined than the sum of its parts.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- 2 cups filtered water
- 2 tsp loose-leaf green tea (or 2 green tea bags)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon balm leaves, lightly packed
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1–2 tsp raw honey, to taste
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the filtered water and sliced ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat and let the temperature drop for 1–2 minutes until it is no longer at a rolling boil — green tea steeps best around 170–180°F (77–82°C) to avoid bitterness.
- 2
Add the green tea and fresh lemon balm leaves to the hot ginger water. Steep for 3–5 minutes, until the tea is a clear pale gold and the lemon balm aroma is noticeable. Do not steep longer than 5 minutes, as the green tea will turn bitter.
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