Tulsi Chai
Revered in India for over 5,000 years as an adaptogenic balm for body, mind and spirit, modern research suggests that tulsi may be effective in supporting the heart, blood vessels, liver and lungs and may also help regulate blood pressure and blood sugar.
A soothing and healing decoction of holy basil, green tea, fresh ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg with fresh milk and a touch of raw honey.
Tulsi Chai
Makes about 2 cups (adapted from a recipe in The Herb Companion)
1/2 cup fresh holy basil leaves, compacted or a scant 1/4 cup dried
2 cups cold, filtered water
2 rounded teaspoons green tea
2 green cardamom pods, crushed
one 1/4 inch-thick slice fresh ginger
one 2 inch length Ceylon cinnamon
2 whole cloves
freshly-grated nutmeg
honey to taste
milk to taste
Bring water to to a boil in a small saucepan. Add basil, cover and simmer 3 minutes. Stir in tea and spices, cover and steep 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, then pour through a fine-mesh strainer. Stir in milk and honey to suit and garnish with grated nutmeg and crystallized ginger. May be served warm or cold.
Jen said,
January 25, 2010 at 11:43 pm
I recently ordered tulsi from Mountain Rose Herbs because of it’s health properties. Thanks for a recipe (that sounds delicious) to use it in!
Ren said,
January 26, 2010 at 7:06 pm
I get mine there too when I can’t get fresh, which is to say most of the time :-)
Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen said,
January 26, 2010 at 9:19 am
Sounds delicious. I have not seen much holy basil around, but the times I have seen it, the smell was intoxicating!
Ren said,
January 26, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Do try it if you get a chance, it’s really good!
K.C. Compton said,
January 27, 2010 at 11:11 am
Thanks for giving our chai a test drive. I started to comment a few minutes ago, then got distracted by that great-looking mango pudding just below the chai post. God, does that look tasty.
Love your blog. Wish I lived down the street and could help with leftover prevention!
Best regards,
K.C. Compton
Editor in Chief
Herb Companion
Ren said,
January 27, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Thanks so much, K.C.! I love your magazine, by the way!
K.C. Compton said,
January 27, 2010 at 2:24 pm
You’re so welcome.
Beautiful blog. Gina just brought it to my attention. Not shabby for a guy with an iron skillet and a cheap camera. :=]
Sustainable Eats said,
January 30, 2010 at 1:17 am
Gosh I wish you had posted that last summer when I was swimming in holy basil and wondering what to do with it all. I’ll remember this. Just one more season before I can get excited about it!
You’re probably already gardening down there I bet!
Ren said,
January 30, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Not quite, but I am making plans. Just got my seeds ordered, and am going to try EarthBox for herbs & some of the vegetables this year.
Tuesday Twister « Edible Aria said,
February 2, 2010 at 7:26 pm
[...] Tulsi Chai, ripped from the pages of The Herb Companion, a soothing and healing decoction of holy basil, green [...]