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Teresa's Recipes • Gambir: An Indonesian Herbal Elixir

Gambir: An Indonesian Herbal Elixir - Transport your taste buds to the Indonesian archipelago with Gambir, an authentic, traditional herbal drink. Crafted from unique gambir leaves and a s

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Gambir: An Indonesian Herbal Elixir

Transport your taste buds to the Indonesian archipelago with Gambir, an authentic, traditional herbal drink. Crafted from unique gambir leaves and a symphony of spices, this beverage is a harmonious blend of sweet, aromatic and soothing flavors. As a staple in Indonesian culture, it's often enjoyed for its refreshing taste and perceived health benefits. Whether served hot, offering a comforting embrace, or chilled, providing a cool respite, this drink is a delightful experience any time of the day.

Serves 4

Ingredients

Cardamom pods
3
Cloves
4
Cinnamon stick
1
Palm sugar
2 tablespoons, or to taste
Water
4 cups
Gambir leaves
10, fresh or dried

Instructions

  1. In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the water to a rolling boil.
  2. Once boiling, add in the gambir leaves, palm sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pods.
  3. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let the mixture infuse for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the palm sugar is completely dissolved.
  4. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to steep for another 5 minutes to further extract the flavors.
  5. Using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the mixture into a jug or individual cups, removing the leaves and spices.
  6. The Gambir is now ready to enjoy! Serve it piping hot for a cozy beverage or let it cool and refrigerate for a refreshing chilled drink.

Tips

  • 💡 For a more intense flavor, you can crush the cardamom pods before adding them to the water.
  • 💡 Gambir leaves can be found in Indonesian or Asian grocery stores. If you can't find them, you can substitute with black tea leaves for a different but still delicious drink.
  • 💡 You can adjust the amount of palm sugar according to your taste preference.

Dietary Information

Servings: 4 Dish Type: Beverage Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Calories: 60 Fat: 0g Carbs: 15g Protein: 0g Sodium: 10mg Sugar: 15g

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