Honey citron and ginger tea is a delicious and soothing beverage known not only for its taste but also for its potential health benefits. This traditional Korean tea, also known as Yuja Cha or Yuzu tea, has gained international recognition for its unique flavor and health benefits. It's a warm, soothing beverage that combines the ingredients honey, citron, and ginger. Believed to have originated centuries ago, the tea became a staple drink in Korea, where it has been consumed to soothe sore throats and boost the immune system during the cold season.
What is Honey Citron and Ginger Tea?
Honey citron and ginger tea is a popular Korean drink that is made by combining honey with the citrus fruit known as citron and adding the warming spice of ginger. The citron fruit provides the distinct flavor of this tea and is an excellent source of Vitamin C. Combined with the natural sweetness of honey and the invigorating properties of ginger, honey citron and ginger tea offers a unique taste experience that also provides various health advantages. Served as a staple in Korean households for generations, honey citron and ginger tea has seen a surge in popularity worldwide as people look for unique tastes and natural remedies.
Citron, also known as yuja or yuzu, is a large citrus fruit, closely related to the pomelo and mandarin, and has been cultivated in some way since ancient times. Most popularly prepared and consumed in Korea, it has become a cultural export and has become more readily available in the United States and other regions where herbal teas and natural healing is on the rise.
Unlike traditional teas brewed from tea leaves, citron tea is prepared using thin slices of the citron fruit, which are preserved with sugar and honey to form a marmalade-like consistency. This preserve, known as yuja-cheong, is then used to make the tea by diluting a spoonful or two in hot water.
Key Ingredients and Their Benefits
This tea offers a delightful balance of flavors, combining the sweetness of honey, the tanginess of citron, and the spiciness of ginger. The blend of these ingredients contributes to both the taste and the potential health benefits of the tea.
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Honey: An excellent natural sweetener, honey is rich in antioxidants and has several health benefits. Honey also contains antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and may serve as a sugar substitute. Local honey means it is sourced from plants that are native to where you live, which is why honey can help with allergies.
Citron (Yuja/Yuzu): A citrus fruit similar to lemon but with a sweeter taste, citron is packed with vitamin C and offers a unique tangy flavor. Meyer lemons tend to be sweeter and less tart than regular lemons. Meyer lemons are similar to what we know as ‘regular’ lemons (Eureka or Lisbon lemons). They pack a nutritional punch: high levels of Vitamin C and folate offer immune-boosting benefits while fiber helps with digestion and gut health. Meyer lemons are also rich in antioxidants and cancer-fighting flavonoids, which aid in the removal of free radicals from the body and keep our cells healthy.
Ginger: A well-known spice with a long history of medicinal use, ginger is a key component of this tea. Ginger is widely known for its anti-inflammatory effects attributed to compounds called gingerols. Ginger tea has been used as a digestive aid and a remedy for nausea for centuries. Gingerol, one of the plant compounds found in ginger, boasts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Health Benefits of Honey Citron and Ginger Tea
Honey citron and ginger tea is a rich source of Vitamin C providing benefits for immunity and overall health. The presence of citron, a citrus fruit known for its Vitamin C content, contributes to the drink’s antioxidant properties.
Some of the potential health benefits associated with this tea include:
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- Immune System Support: Honey citron and ginger tea is known to support the immune system, providing a natural remedy to relieve cold and flu symptoms such as congestion and sore throat. The possible vitamin C content is able to stimulate the immune system of the body, helping to prevent infections and other diseases, while also acting as a potential antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress in the body.
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Ginger is widely known for its anti-inflammatory effects attributed to compounds called gingerols. The potential anti-inflammatory properties in this tea also make it a trusted remedy for fever.
- Digestive Aid: Ginger tea has been used as a digestive aid and a remedy for nausea for centuries. This Korean tea is trusted as a digestive aid and stimulant. A glass or two of this flavorful tea will help regulate your bowel movements and reduce symptoms of constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and excess flatulence. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a root long used in alternative and folk medicine for its ability to alleviate the delayed emptying of your stomach. What’s more, lemon (Citrus limon) contains a plant compound called limonene that aids digestion by helping move food along your digestive tract - potentially easing the uncomfortable feeling of fullness.
- Nausea Relief: Ginger has long been praised for its ability to alleviate nausea, which many people experience during pregnancy or chemotherapy, among many other situations. According to research, consuming 1 to 1.5 grams of ginger per day may be enough to get an anti-nausea effect. Ginger appears to be most effective at helping stave off nausea related to pregnancy. However, it seems less effective at preventing vomiting. A lemon-ginger infusion is generally regarded as safe during pregnancy.
- Congestion Relief: The steam generated from your hot lemon-ginger infusion may help open up your nasal cavities - helping clear a stuffy nose. Drinking something warm also soothes a sore throat from mucus buildup. Although these effects are mostly anecdotal and supported by folk medicine, they may be useful to keep in mind during cold and flu season or if you experience seasonal allergies. Lemon-ginger tea won’t cure you of any of these, but it may help loosen up congestion, allowing air to flow through your nose a little easier.
- Improved Hydration: When you drink lemon-ginger tea, you are, of course, drinking water - which means you’re hydrating your body. This is important, because staying hydrated keeps vital organs, like your kidneys, gut, and heart, functioning properly.
How to Make Honey Citron and Ginger Tea
Many people prefer to make their own Korean Yuja Cha tea since it is relatively easy to make.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup citrus fruit or yuzu sliced
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1 cup water filtered
Instructions:
- Using a sharp knife, cut the citrus fruit into thin slices or wedges. Be sure to remove the seeds.
- Add 3/4 cup of honey to very warm water and stir to make a syrup.
- Add the fruit slices to this mixture.
- Pour the honey and fruit into a jar and seal. This is called yuja-chung.
- To prepare a cup of tea, add 1 teaspoon of yuja chung to a cup of hot water and stir. You can eat the fruit rind and slices.
- Store excess yuja chung in the refrigerator in an airtight jar until you want to make your next cup of honey citron tea! The yuja-chung mixture will last in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 1-2 months. You can also add herbs and ginger slices for a different version.
- Enjoy this warming beverage in the winter months!
Another Recipe:
- 1-inch (2.5-cm) piece of fresh ginger root, peeled
- 1/2 lemon, quartered and 1 fresh wedge for garnish
- 1 cup (237 mL) of water
- honey or agave nectar, to taste
Directions:
- Combine the ginger and lemon with water in a small saucepan and allow to simmer on your stovetop.
- Let this steep for at least 10 to 15 minutes. If you find the tonic too weak, consider grating in your ginger instead, or cutting the piece down into smaller chunks. You can also zest in some lemon peel if you want more lemony notes.
- Stir in honey or agave nectar to taste, if you wish.
- Garnish with a fresh wedge of lemon.
You could also make a larger batch and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to warm it up again.
Customizing Your Tea
This honey citron and ginger tea recipe can be easily customized to suit your preferences. For example, you can try using orange juice instead of lemon juice for a sweeter, more citrusy flavor. Additionally, you could switch out the black tea for a green or herbal tea, depending on your taste.
Alternative Uses
Honey citron and ginger tea can also be incorporated into various meals and beverages. One popular option is to use the tea as a base for salad dressings. Another creative way to use honey citron and ginger tea is by adding it to refreshing iced beverages. To make an iced honey citron tea, dilute 2 tablespoons of sweetened citron in 2 tablespoons of hot water. Add cold water and pour the mixture into a cup with ice.
Brands and Where to Buy
Vonbee is a popular brand known for its Honey Citron & Ginger Tea. The tea has garnered positive reviews from customers, praising the refreshing taste and health benefits that come with the mix of honey, citron, and ginger.
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When it comes to purchasing these teas, both Vonbee and Balance Grow’s Honey Citron and Ginger Tea are available at Costco. The Vonbee tea costs around $9.49 for a 70.54-ounce jar, while the Balance Grow’s tea is priced higher at $22.65 for a 70.55-ounce jar available on Amazon. Vonbee’s Honey Citron & Ginger Tea and Balance Grow’s Honey Citron and Ginger Tea are both known for their delicious taste and health benefits. The teas accomplish their superior taste through the incorporation of citron slices. The Vonbee tea is available in 4.4 lb 2-pack at Costco while the Balance Grow Honey Citron and Ginger Tea comes in a 35.27 oz 2-count option.
Nutritional Information
When it comes to calories and macronutrients, one teaspoon of the tea has approximately 50 calories, with 100% of those calories coming from carbohydrates (13g).
One aspect that needs consideration when consuming honey citron and ginger tea is its sugar content. Since the tea contains honey as a primary ingredient, it may have a slightly high sugar content.
Precautions and Considerations
As with many other natural remedies, honey citron and ginger tea could potentially interact with certain medications or pre-existing health conditions. For example, ginger may interfere with blood-thinning medications or cause reactions in those with ginger allergies.
- Diabetes: Both honey and citron contain natural sugars, which could affect blood sugar levels.
Honey Citron Tea vs. COVID-19
While it’s not a cure for COVID-19, its components may provide some immune support. Honey, for example, has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties that may contribute to overall health. Additionally, ginger is known for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, which might aid in promoting a healthy immune system.
In conclusion, while honey citron and ginger tea may offer some immune support, it should not be considered a COVID-19 prevention or treatment measure.
Alternatives to Honey Citron and Ginger Tea
One alternative product to honey citron and ginger tea is Yuja Tea, a Korean herbal tea made with yuja-cheong (citron marmalade). This tea is made by diluting 2-3 teaspoons of yuja-cheong in a cup of hot water.
In addition to yuja tea, try experimenting with other citrus marmalades, such as orange or lemon, when looking for an alternative. If you desire the benefits of honey citron tea but prefer to avoid ginger, consider using honey citron syrup. Another option is to prepare honey citron tea using only honey and citron, leaving out the ginger component.