Description
Korean Apple Tea with Ginger and Cinnamon, also known as Saegwa Cha, is a comforting and soothing hot drink traditionally used as a home remedy for the common cold. This healthy beverage combines sweet, firm apples with the warming flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and black peppercorns. Easy to prepare using either an Instant Pot or stovetop, it delivers gentle heat and immense health benefits in a delicious, fragrant tea.
Ingredients
Fruits and Spices
- 2 lbs (900 grams) sweet, firm apples (Gala, Fuji, Cortland, Ambrosia, or McIntosh), washed, quartered, and cored
- 4 inch (55 grams) ginger, sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tsp black peppercorns
Liquids and Sweeteners
- 10 cups water
- 2 Tbsp (25 grams) brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Wash the apples thoroughly. Quarter and core them but do not peel. Slice the fresh ginger and gather all spices.
- Cook in Instant Pot: Add apples, sliced ginger, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns, and 10 cups of water into the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 18 minutes. Once the timer beeps, manually release the steam and carefully remove the cooking pot insert. Let it cool briefly.
- Cook on Stovetop: Place apples, sliced ginger, brown sugar, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, and 10 cups water into a stockpot. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered until apples are soft and cinnamon sticks slightly unfurl, about 30 minutes. Then keep covered and steep off the heat for an additional 10 minutes.
- Strain the Tea: Set a fine mesh sieve over a pitcher or mason jar. Slowly and gently pour the cooked mixture through the sieve, keeping the solids in the pot. Occasionally press the soft apples with the back of a spoon to release more juice while straining. Handle carefully to avoid spilling hot liquid.
- Cool and Store: Allow the strained apple tea to cool completely at room temperature. Transfer to a pitcher or glass jar with a tight lid for storage.
- Serve: Serve the tea hot, cold, or at room temperature according to preference. Enjoy the warm comforting beverage ideal for soothing during cold weather.
Notes
- Recipe yields approximately 10 cups; can be halved for smaller servings.
- Adjust sweetness to taste: apples provide natural sweetness, but extra sugar or honey can be added.
- Variations include swapping apples with pears (Bosc or Bartlett recommended), using cloves instead of peppercorns (use only 1/4 tsp cloves), or sweetening with honey instead of brown sugar.
- Use organic ingredients when possible for best flavor and health benefits.
- Handle hot liquid carefully during straining to prevent burns.
