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The perfect gift
Need a homemade Christmas gift? Nourishing Herbal Teas are the best! This Winter Tea Spice Blend is perfect for the winter seasons and would make a lovely homemade gift to give.
This tea spice blend is the perfect holiday gift for any tea lover on your list. It’s easy to make and smells amazing!
The warm, spicy blend is reminiscent of a cozy winter evening in a cup. If you’re looking for something unique and thoughtful to give this season, look no further than this simple DIY recipe!
All you require for this recipe is some cinnamon chips (I put whole cinnamon sticks inside a plastic baggie and smashed them with a meat mallet to make the chips), star anise, whole cloves, dried ginger, cardamom pods, chicory root, and whole pink peppercorns. Add them all together in a pretty jar with a lid, and add a nice holiday label or gift tag.
If you want to make some labels for your gifts (or just for yourself), we made some a free printable for you here: Winter Tea Spice Blend Gift Tags
I love brewing tea. I probably have at least four cups a day, and my kitchen is full of glass jars of all sorts of delicious blends. Likewise, I especially love blending my own teas to get the perfect amount of flavors and properties that I want. One of my absolute favorites is this Winter Tea Spice Blend. I’ve been making this tea for years now—it’s the one I make when it’s cold outside and I need to feel cozy inside. It has a rich, spicy flavor that warms you right down to your toes.
More About the Spices
I’d like to emphasize that this Winter Tea Spice Blend is not only a heartwarming gift but also a healthful choice, being a loose-leaf and caffeine-free option. This makes it perfect for those who are sensitive to caffeine or prefer a more natural, gentle stimulant. The blend’s ingredients are akin to the spices found in traditional chai teas from India, offering a familiar yet unique flavor profile.
Chai, a beloved beverage in India, is known for its rich, aromatic blend of spices. Our Winter Tea Spice Blend captures this essence, combining the comforting warmth of cinnamon, the sweetly pungent star anise, the boldness of cloves, and the zesty kick of ginger. The addition of cardamom pods brings a slightly citrusy and floral note, reminiscent of classic chai. Chicory root, with its deep, woody flavor, adds a robust body to the tea, making it a satisfying brew even without caffeine. The whole pink peppercorns not only add a subtle, peppery warmth but also create a visually stunning mix, enhancing the gift’s appeal.
This blend is more than just a tea; it’s a celebration of flavors that evoke the coziness of winter and the rich culinary traditions of India. It’s a thoughtful, homemade gift that shows care and consideration, offering the recipient a chance to indulge in a tranquil, sensory experience. Each sip is a reminder of the love and effort put into creating this special blend.
For those who receive this gift, it’s not just about enjoying a cup of tea; it’s about savoring a moment of peace, a connection to nature, and a taste of different cultures. It’s a perfect representation of the joy and warmth of the holiday season, shared in a simple, yet profound, cup of tea.
This lovely tea spice blend tastes wonderfully warm and spicy, and looks so pretty in a jar. If giving as a gift, I recommend tying on a little wooden scoop and adding a pretty label or gift tag. The recipient of this gift won’t be able to resist how beautiful it is with the star anise and pink peppercorns!
Where to buy quality herbs
Most of the tea blends I make are made with locally grown or foraged herbs, however when I need to purchase ingredients for tea blends like this one, I turn to Mountain Rose Herbs. They offer high quality herbs that are either homegrown or ethically and sustainably sourced. The result is a delicious tea that is perfect for cold mornings, long evenings by the fire, or just because you need some cozy time.
Brewing a cup of winter tea spice blend
Now, to brew this blend of herbs and spices, you’ll need about two teaspoons per cup of boiling water. That will give you a strong but not overwhelming brew. If you’re serving it over ice, which is fabulous—especially in the summer—then you’ll want to brew it a bit stronger to account for the ice melting and diluting it a bit. I use about three teaspoons at that point.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with the ratios of the herbs and spices in your own blend. I like mine heavier on the cinnamon, but you can play with the ratios to suit your taste. That’s all part of the beauty of blending!
Isn’t this blend beautiful? I love how the pink peppercorns add a pop of color to this tea, and the fruity spice they lend to it. Plus, star anise never disappoints. Feel free to make as much or as little as you want too. When I’m blending together herbs like this, I start by measuring by tablespoons to get the perfect blend, while brewing and tasting as I go. Once I get it where I want it, I look at the ratios and go bigger if I’m making a large amount. Just be sure to store it in an airtight glass container.
FREE Gift Tags
concluding thoughts
I think this is one of the best Holiday Recipe I have offered up yet! The smell of the spices when you make it is absolutely intoxicating, and the taste is just as good. You could replace various spices with others if you wanted to create your own blends or you could simply just use this one.
This Winter Tea Spice Blend is the perfect holiday gift for any tea lover on your list. It’s easy to make and smells amazing! If you’re looking for something unique and thoughtful to give this season, look no further than this simple DIY recipe!
Winter Tea Spice Blend
Ingredients
- 3 parts Cinnamon Chips
- 2 parts Dried Ginger Pieces
- 1 part Cardamom Pods
- 1 part Chicory Root Pieces
- 1 part Whole Pink Peppercorns
- 1 part Whole Star Anise
- 1 part Whole Cloves
Instructions
- Combine all spices in a pretty glass jar (especially important if giving as a gift).
- Make as much or as little as you want using the ratio above.
- To brew a cup of tea, place 2 teaspoons of spice mix into a filter or tea infuser and steep in boiling water for 5 minutes.
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Good afternoon. Can we replace chicory root for green or black or white tea? Thanks.
Great posts in your blog.
When you talk in Parts like 2 parts of this and 1 part of that. what is that cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, oz??? i want to make sure i get the ratios right.
Thanks so much.
Michelle M
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for reaching out with your question about the “Parts” measurement in herbal remedies. I understand that it can be confusing to determine the specific measurement unit when ratios are mentioned in terms of parts. Allow me to explain and provide some clarity. In herbal remedies, the term “Parts” is a flexible measurement that allows you to scale the recipe according to your needs. It means that you can use any measurement unit you prefer, such as cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, or ounces, as long as you maintain the ratio specified. For example, if a recipe calls for 2 parts of a particular herb and 1 part of another ingredient, you could use 2 cups and 1 cup, 2 tablespoons and 1 tablespoon, or even 2 teaspoons and 1 teaspoon. The key is to maintain the ratio of 2:1 between the two ingredients. The choice of measurement unit depends on the scale of the recipe you wish to create. If you’re making a small batch, you might opt for teaspoons or tablespoons, while larger quantities may require cups or ounces. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which unit to use based on your needs.To ensure accurate measurements, it is advisable to use the same measurement unit consistently throughout the recipe. This helps maintain the desired proportions and ensures a consistent result. I hope this explanation clarifies the concept of “Parts” in herbal remedies and helps you understand how to get the ratios right. Best regards! 🙂
Your life no above for the free tag download is not working. I’ve tried several times. It says it was possibly deleted….ugh
Should have said your link above
Thanks for letting me know, I appreciate it! I have fixed it 🙂