Citric Acid Free Lemon Balm & Ginger Herbal Tea
Warm, golden, and deeply soothing, this herbal tea brings together fresh lemon balm, ginger, and turmeric for a cup that feels genuinely restorative. For anyone avoiding citric acid, finding a ready-made herbal blend at the store is often a frustrating exercise in label-reading, since citric acid hides in a surprising number of packaged teas and flavored drinks. This recipe sidesteps all of that by relying on whole, fresh ingredients you can easily verify yourself. The ginger and turmeric are simmered first to coax out their warmth and depth, then the lemon balm is steeped off the heat so its delicate, herbaceous character isn't lost. A small spoonful of honey rounds everything out with gentle sweetness, and a pinch of black pepper — optional but worth trying — adds a subtle kick that plays beautifully with the turmeric. The result is a pale golden-green tea that smells incredible and tastes like something you'd pay good money for at a wellness café. It's the kind of simple, from-scratch ritual that makes you wonder why you ever reached for a tea bag in the first place.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup fresh lemon balm leaves, loosely packed
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1–2 tsp honey, to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, ginger slices, and turmeric in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the lemon balm leaves and, if using, the black pepper. Let steep for 5 minutes, until the liquid is fragrant and pale golden-green.
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