Were you hit with the flu this year? A few weeks ago, it slammed into our house like an NFL linebacker. First Marc went down, and then I did (eesh).
While we've both recovered from the worst of it (fever, chills, and upset stomachs), Marc is still battling residual blahs, and I'm plagued with a recurring cough and head congestion. That's where this wonderful tea comes in...
Yes, I know you can brew cinnamon tea from store-bought bags, but the flavor is not as powerfully good as fresh-brewed from sticks. AND there's an added benefit to brewing from sticks...
Finally, studies have shown cinnamon to be packed with health benefits. Among other things, it's been shown to have antibacterial properties (great for that sore throat) as well as an anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to cinnamaldehyde (a substance found in the spice). One study showed that cinnamon can reduce inflammation and muscle soreness.
Boost Your Brain with
the Scent of Cinnamon
Fresh brewing cinnamon tea from sticks fills the house with the fragrance of cinnamon, a scent you can't get from brewing quickly in bags. And the scent of cinnamon has been linked to improving cognitive brain functions (attention span, recognition memory, response speed, and working memory).
Finally, studies have shown cinnamon to be packed with health benefits. Among other things, it's been shown to have antibacterial properties (great for that sore throat) as well as an anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to cinnamaldehyde (a substance found in the spice). One study showed that cinnamon can reduce inflammation and muscle soreness.
So let's get that water on and start our tea brewing!
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Cleo Coyle has a partner in
crime-writing—her husband.
Learn about their books
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As always, the quality of your results depends on the quality of your ingredients. Now I've made cinnamon tea from the less expensive "Cassia" cinnamon sticks, which are the most common found in grocery stores, and I've enjoyed the results. BUT if you want a better quality tea, use the better quality "Ceylon" cinnamon sticks. See more on the differences in the recipe below...
FYI - I get my Ceylon cinnamon from Nuts.com, click here to see the product page. One pound or 64 three-inch sticks cost around $18.00 plus a small fee for shipping, which, for me, breaks down to less than 50 cents per stick.
Cleo's Cinnamon Stick Tea
FYI - I get my Ceylon cinnamon from Nuts.com, click here to see the product page. One pound or 64 three-inch sticks cost around $18.00 plus a small fee for shipping, which, for me, breaks down to less than 50 cents per stick.
To download this recipe in
a free PDF document that you
can print, save, or share, click here.
a free PDF document that you
can print, save, or share, click here.
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| Click here for free recipe PDF. |
Cleo's Cinnamon Stick Tea
Makes 2 six-ounce cups of tea
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
2-1/2 cups of water
*2-3 cinnamon sticks (see my note on types of cinnamon)
*2-3 cinnamon sticks (see my note on types of cinnamon)
1 teaspoon raw, local honey (optional)
1 small orange (optional)
Directions: Place 2-1/2 cups of water into a saucepan with 2 to 3 cinnamon sticks (see my note below to help choose the amount). Bring water to a boil and turn heat down to a low boil and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the cinnamon sticks to continue steeping in the water for a final 10 minutes. Strain into a tea cup and enjoy!
1 small orange (optional)
Directions: Place 2-1/2 cups of water into a saucepan with 2 to 3 cinnamon sticks (see my note below to help choose the amount). Bring water to a boil and turn heat down to a low boil and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the cinnamon sticks to continue steeping in the water for a final 10 minutes. Strain into a tea cup and enjoy!
**Note on types of cinnamon: The amount of cinnamon sticks you'll want to use for this recipe will vary, depending on the kind of cinnamon sticks you're using, as well as their freshness. Let's start with...
Cleo’s Cinnamon-Orange Tea with Honey
After straining the cinnamon stick tea into your tea cup, stir in 1 teaspoon of raw, local honey until dissolved. Grate a small amount of orange zest into the cup (I use the zest of about half a small orange) OR squeeze the juice of one orange wedge into the cup. Then garnish by placing one cinnamon stick into the cup. If you like, slice a thin round of orange and slide it onto the tea cup's rim. Serve warm and may you drink with joy!
HOW TO ZEST AN ORANGE
AND JUST FOR FUN...
Check out a sushi chef's unique
way of cutting and serving an orange...
way of cutting and serving an orange...
To see a slower version of "Chef Joe's"
orange-cutting video , click here.
orange-cutting video , click here.
Eat, Drink (and read) with joy!
