November 25, 2012

Chai Babooneh - Chamomile Tea


After having lived through eleven days without power, heat, and hot water due to the devastating storm that hit Long Island last month, all I wanted once the power returned was a nice hot cup of tea to warm me up.  I filled the kettle with water and happily made my usual fresh-brewed chai. Just the sound of the boiling water in a kettle put my mind at ease and brought reassurance that things are going to get back to normal pretty soon. I also craved for a warm cup of چای بابونه chai babooneh (chamomile tea) and its calming effect.


In the dark hours of the night I had a chance to reflect and think about how people lived without electricity for hundreds of years. I realized how much I truly appreciate what we have now and how grateful I am for those creative visionaries who, through their inventions and discoveries, made the world a better place for all of us. Sipping the hot relaxing chamomile tea at my kitchen table, I couldn't be more thankful that my family and our home survived the massive hurricane while my heart and prayers still goes out to those who have lost loved ones, their homes and belongings.


Chamomile tea is made by brewing dried chamomile flowers and it's known to have many health benefits. Some of the health benefits of this popular herbal tea include reducing stress and anxiety, alleviating pain and discomfort and also improving sleep and insomnia.


Chai Babooneh - Chamomile Tea
Serves 2

Ingredients:

4 teaspoons dried chamomile (for a stronger tea use more chamomile and also brew it longer)
Hot water

Method:
  1. Bring water to a boil in the kettle on high heat.
  2. Rinse the clean teapot with1/2 cup of hot water and discard the water.
  3. Add 2 teaspoons of dried chamomile for each cup of water.
  4. Place 4 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers into the teapot and pour in 2 cups of boiling water from the kettle. Put the lid back on and let the tea brew for 7-10 minutes.
  5. Pour the brewed tea into tea cups using a tea strainer.
Serve hot. You may serve the tea with nabat (rock candy), honey or lemon juice if you like.


Enjoy!