Korean fresh ginger tea (saenggang-cha)
Fresh ginger simmered in water makes a pale, gently warming Korean tea. Two mugs, with optional sweetness and no tea leaves.
Ingredients
2 servings
Everyday kitchen measurements
For 2 servings. Use a small 180 ml paper cup, a level eating spoon (about 15 ml) and a small teaspoon (about 5 ml).
How to fill the cup and spoons
Use the same cup and spoons throughout. Their sizes vary, so these amounts are approximate. Spoon flour in loosely and level the top without pressing. Measure vegetables after chopping, without packing them down. The amounts in g/ml are the original reference quantities. For part of a pack, use the specified pack weight and divide the contents evenly.
King Arthur Baking-
Essential
Required for this recipe; use the listed amount.
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Essential
Required for this recipe; use the listed amount.
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Substitute available
If White sugar is unavailable
- Use instead
- Brown sugar
- Substitute quantity
- 2 level teaspoons (8 g)Reference quantity: 8 g
If white sugar is unavailable, use this amount of brown sugar in the same final stirring step, with no extra cooking time. The color becomes slightly darker; either sugar may be omitted.
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Step-by-step cooking
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Step 1
Wash 2 thumb-sized ginger pieces (40 g), scrubbing soil from creases. Scrape off tough skin with a spoon and remove damaged spots. Slice 1–2 mm thin across the fibers on a clean board; thick chunks extract more slowly.
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Step 2
Put ginger and 4 small paper cups drinking water (720 ml) in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower and simmer gently with the lid slightly open for 15 minutes. Keep a gentle bubble; a hard boil reduces the water too fast. The liquid will be pale gold, not dark like black tea.
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Step 3
Turn off the heat. Strain carefully into a heatproof jug and discard the ginger slices. If using, stir in 2 level teaspoons sugar (8 g) until dissolved, then divide between two mugs. Taste a cooled spoonful; if too strong add hot drinking water 1 tablespoon at a time. Let it cool to a comfortable drinking temperature.
Finished dish
A small paper cup is 180 ml; a tablespoon is 15 ml and a teaspoon is 5 ml. Sugar is optional; omit it for unsweetened tea. No cinnamon, tea leaves or alcohol are used. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours (1 hour above 32°C) at 4°C or below, use within 2 days and reheat only the portion needed.
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Enjoy every bite
How to enjoy it
Serve warm after a meal or with a small rice sweet. Strain before serving for a smooth drink.
