Honey Lemon Ginger for the Sickie

I was sipping on honey lemon ginger tea as I wrote the last post, and it was so good I just had to write a little about it. This is another great cold remedy that's super simple but soooo good when you're sniffly and sneezy.

I've been noticing this beautiful organic blue ginger from Hawaii at all the local food co-ops. I hate to say it, but this is much nicer ginger than what I could get in California, at a much better price. The Midwest organic produce distributors must have connections! This beautiful piece came from the Regent Market Co-op.

I remember the first time I saw blue ginger like this - I was a produce buyer and was convinced there was something wrong with it. I asked around and learned it's actually a premium variety - not too fibrous, lots of juice, really spicy.....yellow ginger would be my next pick, followed by white. Most ginger you'll find is white, which is the lowest quality. I also always look for Hawaiian ginger - the quality seems to be a lot higher than Brazilian, Peruvian, or Chinese. It must be something about the climate.....

This is a very simple tea - ginger slices, juice from a quarter lemon, and some honey. Our honey is getting pretty crystallized, which is why it looks so weird. It's almost impossible to squeeze out of the container, but it still tastes fine.

Just add hot water......

I'd never noticed before, but the ginger loses its blue color when you pour boiling water over it. This steeps for a few minutes and it's done. If you want to steep it the "correct" way, cover the glass so no steam can escape. I'm usually too lazy for this step, and it turns out fine. I like chewing on the ginger as I drink the tea. Unlike galangal, ginger is perfectly edible - spicy and intense, but delicious!

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Honey Lemon Ginger Tea

Ginger (about a 4 inch piece)
1/4 Lemon
2-3 Tablespoons honey
Hot Water

Slice ginger and put in the bottom of a teacup. Add juice of 1/4 lemon and honey. Pour boiling water over top, and let it steep for 5-10 minutes.
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