Teh halia

Regional variations and customs

Ginger tea can be drunk by itself, or served alongside traditional accompaniments, such as milk, orange slices, or lemon.

East Asia

China

In the Tang dynasty, tea was flavoured to counteract the bitter taste. Ginger was favoured among tea drinkers, in addition to onion, orange peel, cloves and peppermint.

Japan

In Japan, it is called shōgayu (生姜湯).

Korea

In Korea, ginger tea is called saenggang-cha (생강차; 生薑茶). It can made either by boiling fresh ginger slices in water or mixing ginger juice with hot water. Sliced ginger preserved in honey, called saenggang-cheong, can also be mixed with hot water to make ginger tea. Nowadays, powdered instant versions are also widely available. When served, the tea is often served garnished with jujubes and pine nuts. When using fresh ginger, the tea can be sweetened with honey, sugar, or other sweetener according to taste. Garlic, jujubes, and pear are sometimes boiled along with ginger.

Southeast Asia

Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore

In Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore cuisines, ginger tea is usually called teh halia. It is not a pure ginger tea, as it is brewed of strong sweetened black tea with milk or condensed milk.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, it is called teh jahe. In Java, a local version of ginger tea enriched with palm sugar and spices called wedang jahe is more popular.

Wedang Jahe is a type of Indonesian ginger tea. Wedang in Javanese means "hot beverage" while jahe means "ginger". Although devoid of any caffeine content, it is often served and enjoyed as an invigorating tea. It is made from ginger rhizome, usually fresh and cut in thin slices, and palm sugar or granulated cane sugar, frequently with the addition of fragrant pandan leaves. Palm sugar can be substituted with brown sugar or honey. Traditionally people might add spices such as lemongrass, cloves, and cinnamon stick.

Milk, either fresh or condensed, might be added.

Philippines

In the Philippines, it is called salabat and usually served in the relatively cold month of December.

South Asia

India

In India, ginger tea is known as Adrak ki chai and is a widely consumed beverage.