Indonesian Ginger Tea Recipe (Wedang Jahe) You Need To Try
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Throughout Indonesia, Wedang Jahe, or Indonesian ginger tea, has been one of the country’s most important beverages for generations.
This simple but very nourishing drink has plenty of health benefits. It is ideal to prepare at home for both its medicinal qualities and to bring a soothing, spiced taste of Indonesia into your kitchen or living area.
Ginger Tea (Wedang Jahe) Recipe
What is Indonesian Ginger Tea or Wedang Jahe?
In Javanese, wedang means ‘hot beverage’ and jahe means ‘ginger’. Although ‘tea’ is used in the English name, wedang jahe is not a tea in the conventional sense.
Moreso, wedang jahe is a hot drink of water, ginger, and other ingredients. The use of the word ‘tea’ refers to the color, rather than the contents.
Traditional wedang jahe is a very simple recipe. It should only take around 5 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes to bring the ingredients together within the brew.
In Indonesia, wedang jahe is consumed to help the body fight off colds, flu, and other illnesses, as well as recreationally.
You can make it with just 6 simple ingredients, as listed below. Naturally, throughout Indonesia there are many variations of this beloved hot drink.
Some Indonesians like to add additional flavors such as cardamom, honey, lemon, and various spices, depending on preference. However the recipe is adapted, Indonesian ginger tea is also soothing, spiced, and a great way to make you feel better.
Ingredients
First, let’s assemble the ingredients. We’ll need the following:
- Fresh ginger, bruised (6 cm or 2.5 inches)
- Water (600 ml or 2.5 cups)
- Lemongrass, bruised (1 stalk)
- Cloves (2 whole cloves)
- Cinnamon stick (1 stick)
- Palm sugar* (100 grams or 3.5 oz)
*The 100 grams of palm sugar will make a traditionally sweet drink. If you don’t like drinks that are too sweet, you might want to reduce it to 50 grams.
Palm sugar may be difficult to find in a regular grocery store. If you are struggling to find it, you can buy it in any Asian market, or even on Amazon.
If you cannot find palm sugar, you could substitute it with honey or brown sugar for a less authentic but still flavorsome Indonesian ginger tea.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Set the water to boil.
Step 2 – While the water is coming to a boil, prepare all the other ingredients.
Prep the lemongrass either by making a slit in the middle of the lemongrass or by chopping it. To get a lot of oil and flavor from it, bruise it (using a rolling pin or meat tenderizer).
Peel and chop the ginger.
Step 3 – Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and add the peeled and chopped ginger, the bruised lemongrass, the cloves, the palm sugar, and the cinnamon stick.
Step 4 – Simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
Step 5 – Turn off the stove and pour the drink into your cup.
While its speckled, amber color looks beautiful, the aromatic qualities of wedang jahe are what set it apart.
Its intense, organic aroma is alluring, while its sweet, spiced taste can help bring a smile to your face on even the toughest of days.
Recipe Card
Equipment
Ingredients
- fresh ginger bruised (6 cm or 2.5 inches)
- water 600 ml or 2.5 cups
- lemongrass bruised (1 stalk)
- cloves 2 whole cloves
- cinnamon stick 1 stick
- palm sugar 100 grams or 3.5 oz
Instructions
- Set the water to boil.
- While the water is coming to a boil, prepare all the other ingredients. Prep and bruise the lemongrass and peel and chop the ginger.
- Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and add the peeled and chopped ginger, the bruised lemongrass, the cloves, the palm sugar, and the cinnamon stick.
- Simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
- Turn off the stove and pour the drink into your cup. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- The common way to prepare lemongrass is by making a slit in the middle of the lemongrass or by chopping it. And to get a lot of oil and taste from it, bruising it (using a rolling pin or a meat tenderizer) is the best option.
- This recipe is quite sweet so if you don’t like sweet drinks, consider halving the sugar.
- Once you’ve tried this recipe, you can build on it by adding additional flavors you may like, such as cardamom, honey, or lemon.
You Might Also Like to Read
- Best Indonesian Foods To Try
- Most Popular & Traditional Indonesian Desserts
- Best Travel Destinations for Coffee Lovers
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Contributor: Sari Rachmatika is an English-Indonesian translator and writer, with a deep passion for sharing Indonesian cooking and culture with the rest of the world.
Author: Doina Johnson is a content writer and creator, who has traveled to over 30 countries. She is passionate about trying new foods and loves to make foods she has tried on her travels in her home kitchen.
