Teresa's Recipes
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.
Ingredients
- 3 Cardamom pods
- 4 Cloves
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 2 tablespoons, or to taste Palm sugar
- 4 cups Water
- 10, fresh or dried Gambir leaves
Dietary Notes
- 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
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the water to a rolling boil.
- Once boiling, add in the gambir leaves, palm sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pods.
- 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.
- Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to steep for another 5 minutes to further extract the flavors.
- Using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the mixture into a jug or individual cups, removing the leaves and spices.
- 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.