Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Cardamom-Scented Green Tea with Saffron

Saffron has always been on my list of spices to try out "one day". As with many other herbs, spices, vegetables and other ingredients that are not an everyday or a common thing that can be found in my kitchen, it has always been put on hold again and again. Mainly because, these ingredients are not easily available and even if they are, some of them can be very costly! When Sue from Couscous & Consciouness started the event "Make It With ..... Mondays", with a different ingredient each week, saffron being the first on the list, I knew it that I must really find a way of getting some saffron, otherwise it will be just something on my list! 




There are a few other spices and herbs that I have been looking for so long, as the shops and supermarkets around my area do not sell these ingredients. I finally found an Indian store that supplies most spices which they import from India. Went to the store together with my sisters (who also love baking and cooking, and we all love Indian spicy food!), and came back very happy, because I found the spices and herbs that I could not find anywhere else, saffron being one of them. 




This cardamom-scented tea with saffron is taken from one of my cooking books "660 Curries" by Raghaven Iyer. According to him, this is a Kahsmiris brew which is usually served for the esteemed guests at weddings, family gatherings, and special meals, especially after a rich curry dinner.  I was very curious to know the taste of the blanched ground almonds in the tea. The tea has a lovely aroma from the spices and at first, I add only about half teaspoon of the ground almonds to the cup, as I wasn't sure whether I'll like it or not. When I took a sip, I can't actually taste the almonds, and increased a little bit more until I can get the nutty taste of the almonds. This is not so bad, it is quite nice actually. As I took a sip and the next, I find that it grows on you. It is a really pleasant tea with the aroma from the spices and the nutty taste from the almonds.  I wouldn't mind having this tea again. Have you tried having tea with saffron and ground almonds in it? If you have not, then give it a try.




There will be more recipes with saffron which I intend to try. This is only the first of the many that I have in mind! Thank you Sue, for the inspiration, and I am very happy indeed, that at least one of the many ingredients in my to-try-list has been crossed out!

I'm sharing this lovely tea with of course, "Make It With ..... Mondays" over at Couscous & Consciousness. Hop over to Sue's blog and find out what it is all about, and hope to see you there!

Cardamom-Scented Green Tea with Saffron
(adapted from "660 Curries" by Raghavan Iyer)
1/4 cup loose green tea leaves
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
4 to 6 green or white cardamom pods
1 to 2 cinnamon sticks (each 3 inches long)
4 teaspoons white granulated sugar
1/4 cup silvered blanched almonds, ground


  1. Bring 5 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium-size saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the tea leaves, saffron, cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks. Stir once or twice.
  2. Allow the water to come to a boil again, uncovered, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the leaves release their flavor and the spices perfume the tea (not to mention the air), about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the sugar and remove the pan from the heat.
  4. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the ground almonds into each mug. Setting a tea strainer, over each mug, strain the tea into the mugs. Serve immediately, and pass around teaspoons to let the folks stir the tea before they sip it.

25 comments:

  1. All the valued ingredients in this tea recipe. Sounds terrific!

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  2. I just love cardamom. The idea of a spicy tea sounds so warm and delightful.

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  3. I am looking forward to the Make it with ... Mondays series. I need to get my saffron recipe completed and submitted. You always make interesting dishes! I have yet to cook with saffron, and am a bit hesitate.

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  4. Prefect tea for this chilled weather, rich looking tea..

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  5. Hey,

    Love the scented tea...:)

    Dr.Sameena@

    http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com/

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  6. havent tried tea with almonds but sometimes in some chinese coffee shops, they do have almond tea where they used almond powder to make the tea..also never tried anything on saffron..maybe i shld also check on indian shops.

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  7. That sounds like a very fragrant cup of tea. The color is very pleasing too. I should give it a try.

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  8. Hi Angie,
    yes, all the "valued" ingredients in a cup of tea!

    Hi Lisa,
    I like cardamom too! Sipping this tea while it is hot, is really pleasant.

    Hi Melynda,
    Thank you! Yes, I know how daunting cooking can be, to cook with something new, I have my share of hesitating too with something I have not use before, but excited at the same time! Just think of saffron as just another ingredient. Looking forward to your saffron recipe. Have a nice day.

    Hi Priya,
    Yup, this tea would be perfect for the cool weather!

    Hi Dr,
    Thank you for visiting. Hope to see you again.
    Have a lovely day.

    Hi lena,
    Yes, I have tried the ones sold at Chinese coffee shop, which is different. I guess they use the almond essence for flavour. I did not like it, as the almond flavour is too strong and the tea is too creamy for my liking!
    This cardamom-scented tea is poured over the blanched almonds, so it is really mild with a nutty taste of the almonds, which is really pleasant. Hope you get your saffrons, not many shops sell this rather expensive spice!

    Hi Biren,
    Hope you enjoy the tea. Have a nice day!

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  9. that's a fantastic, delicious n healthy tea.. something i wouldn't mind trying right away.. so rich in flavours.. wonderful on a cold evening... love it :)

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  10. Adorei esta receita, maravilhosa. Um grande beijo e boa semana pra vc.

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  11. I just discovered your 2 blogs while looking through Magda's blog, and I am glad I did so. I absolutely love them. Beautiful colour schemes, splendid photos, interesting texts, and great recipes. I enjoyed them even more as I lived in Asia for years and am very fond of exotic flavours. I have added your blogs to my list of blogs to follow and am really looking forward to discover your next posts. They are a real pleasure to the eye.
    Best wishes, DeeBee

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  12. This really look so refreshing and I love the way you've flavored it. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  13. Mmm...I can just imagine a cup of this right now. It's cold outside and I need a little warming up! I bought saffron a while back to make paella and haven't used it yet. After seeing this, I may have to go back and get more to make the paella! :)

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  14. Wow Wow...such an healthy drink!!! Slurrpppp ;)

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  15. The beginning of home starts from the kitchen? I'm dead! Haven't seen you for a while. Busy making tea?

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  16. Actually, I came to let you know that your potted posts have been missed. Didn't mean to make you feel guilty. :) Will be looking forward to your new acquisitions from Sg Buloh.

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  17. Hi Kitchen Boffin,
    Hi Danelle,
    Hi Marta,
    Thank you for stopping by. Try out this tea and see whether you like it or not!

    Hi DeeBee,
    Thank you for your lovely words. I'm glad that you like my blogs, that is really very encouraging. I have just visited your blog. You have a very interesting site indeed. Love reading about the city of romance! Hope to see you again. Have a nice day.

    Hi Mary,
    Hi Betty,
    Hi Love2Cook,
    Thank you for visiting! I hope you gals try out this lovely tea.

    Hi One,
    Well, I do feel rather guilty! Thank you so much for dropping to say hi, I really appreciate it! Will post on my potted garden before the week is out! See you then! Happy Gardening!

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  18. This tea must be very flavourful. Would love to try some day. Thanks very much for sharing.

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  19. WOW - yes, that's wow in capital letters. I am totally intrigued by this tea - for someone who hasn't used this ingredient before you definitely put it to wonderful use in this tea. I have always loved a cup of green tea, but have never tried it with saffron and cardamom (much less almond) so I can't wait to give this a try. Thank you so much for such a wonderful offering to "Make it with ... Mondays" challenge saffron. I do hope you'll join in again :-)
    Sue

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  20. Hi Mary,
    Hope you will try this tea! It is a really healthy drink.

    Hi Sue,
    It is a pleasure to join "Make It With .... Mondays". Thank you for hosting this great event! Looking forward to the next one!^~^

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  21. This is a perfect refreshment!
    I think I will try to make it tonight!
    Barbara

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  22. I have had tea with saffron, but never with almonds in addition...Sounds pretty good to me :)
    Glad you found a place to get some of the spices and herbs you have been wanting to try. Excited to see what you come up with for the saffron :)

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  23. Have not tried tea with saffron before...I wonder how does it taste?

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  24. I never had tea with almonds in it! Or saffron. Very unique! Would love to try it as I am a tea lover.

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