Recipe: Thai Herbal Lemongrass and Pandan Tea

In our house we call this the ‘massage tea’, because it’s a traditional herbal tea that you often get served after massages in Thailand. Since discovering that my local Longdan stores are stocked with frozen pandan leaves and lemongrass sticks, we’ve been able to make this very easily. It’s subtly sweet and citrussy and wonderfully aromatic. For those who have not tasted pandan — or screw pine leaf — it’s often described as grassy with hints of rose, vanilla and almond verging on coconut. The tea can be drunk hot or cold, and if you desire a further immunity boosting kick, you could add fresh ginger to the mix too.

Benefits of lemongrass (cymbopogon citratus)

Source of essential vitamins such as vitamin A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin) B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), folate and vitamin C.
Provides essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, manganese, copper, zinc and iron.
Contains antioxidants, flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which help in a range of medicinal aids.
The main component is lemonal or citral, which has anti-fungal and antimicrobial qualities.
Regular consumption may support healthy cholesterol levels.

Let me know if you try this recipe and share your results on Instagram with #CelestialPeach.