Karak Tea

Karak tea is a beloved Middle Eastern beverage, combining strong black tea with aromatic spices and creamy milk for a soothing drink that can be enjoyed at any time.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings: 2 servings

Course: Beverage, Snack

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Calories: 120

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

For the Tea

2 cups water
2 tsp loose black tea (or 2 black tea bags)
½ tsp ground cardamom (or 2 crushed cardamom pods)
½ tsp cinnamon powder (or 1 small cinnamon stick)
1 inch piece of ginger, grated
¼ tsp saffron strands (optional)
2 cloves cloves (optional)
½ cup evaporated milk (or regular milk)
2 tbsp sugar (or to taste)

Method

Preparation

In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
Add cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves & saffron (if using). Let it simmer for 2 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Add loose black tea or tea bags to the spiced water. Let it simmer on low heat for 3-5 minutes until the tea darkens and the aroma intensifies.
Stir in evaporated milk (or regular milk) and bring the tea to a gentle boil. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to develop a rich, creamy texture.
Add sugar to taste and stir well. Let the tea simmer for another 2 minutes to blend all the flavors.
Strain the tea into cups using a fine sieve to remove the spices and tea leaves. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 20mgSugar: 10g

Notes

Karak tea is best served hot in a small cup. Enjoy it plain or pair it with snacks like biscuits or sweets. For a stronger flavor, let the tea simmer longer but avoid boiling too hard. You can reduce the sugar to adjust sweetness. Using fresh spices enhances flavor. Variations like nutmeg or star anise can be experimented with, and to make it richer, consider adding more evaporated milk or condensed milk.

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