Valentine's Day Beverages
Not your typical Valentine's treat, but a recipe that I love for any occasion where a warming, comforting, and soothing beverage is called for. This classic chai recipe is based off an Ayurvedic beverage, typically served as a warming drink. For a heart-centric spin on this very traditional drink, I like to add hawthorn berries to give it that extra heart-opening kick.
What is an Electuary?
An electuary - also known as herbal honey - is a blend of powdered medicinal herbs and honey mixed together to create a sort of paste. Not only is honey a wonderful natural preservative, but the addition of something sweet to an already powerful combo of herbs makes an electuary an easy add-in to warm milk/nut milk or tea, giving you a ready-made herbal beverage in a jar. Electuaries are a very traditional way to take herbs and have been used for centuries for their healing purposes and versatility in the kitchen.
Hawthorn as a Love Herb
Well-known in the herbal world as an herb very much geared toward the cardiovascular system, the energetic value of hawthorn echoes its phytochemical use. Energetically, hawthorn is a heart-forward herb used for engendering a sense of love and warmth and enhancing the expression of love. Hawthorne is a go-to flower essence remedy for healing a broken heart and for bringing healing energy into the emotional body and soul.
Chai Electuary Recipe
Ingredients
1 tsp dried ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
1 pinch clove powder
1/4 tsp cardamom powder
1/2 tsp ground fennel seeds
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 TBL hawthorn berry powder
1/2 cup honey (organic and raw preferred)
To Make A Drink: 1-cup black tea with added creamer of choice
Directions
To make your electuary simply take the powdered herbs and mix them with honey, storing in a glass mason jar. If you're finding it difficult to get the herbs to mix, you can always heat the honey on low (very low) and stir the herbs in while warm. To make a drink using your electuary, make 1/2 cup black tea (I prefer Darjeeling but any type will do) and add 1/3 cup creamer to the tea (heating until warm). Once warm, add 1 TBL of chai electuary, stirring until combined. Top with fresh whipped cream for an extra decadent treat, and voilá - a heart-centered bev for a cool day.
Get it at the EBH Apothecary online shop!
Interested in trying the drink but want to skip on the kitchen magic? Grab a jar of chai electuary in the EBH shop! Free local delivery at Grey Goods in Martinez is now available for all local orders.
Photo by GMC Photography
please note - this information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a licensed healthcare provider before adding herbs or supplements into your diet, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or on medication.