Tea parties habitual for people are always associated with jam, lemon and confectionery. Not everyone knows that there is a unique recipe for Kalmyk tea, in which salt is added, and in its nutritional value it is equal to the first dishes. This article talks about the benefits of an exotic drink and provides recipes for its preparation.
Some information
There are different versions and legends about the origin of Kalmyk tea. Perhaps the drink was invented by the Mongols or the Chinese. But the fact is that nomads used the Kalmyk tea recipe, and therefore it is not surprising that it is nutritious and healthy. These people were constantly on the move, and they needed to replenish their energy supply. Overcoming long distances along the steppes, nomads created a satisfying drink. Over time, in order to improve the value of high-calorie tea, milk and mutton fat were added to it. The Mongols and Buryats believed that the drink was able to save from winter cold and quench thirst in the summer heat.
Having met such names as “tiled”, “jomba” or “karyym”, you should know that this is exactly this drink. Behind different names is the same way of creating it. How to make Kalmyk tea?
Raw materials for tea
For Kalmyk nomads, tea was considered the main dish and expensive treat for guests. At the beginning of summer, tea picking began, which grew in Georgia and the Black Sea. From the first harvest, the plant went to higher grades, and coarse leaves and branches served as a suitable raw material for the recipe for making Kalmyk tea. But first, tea of the second grade was formed into briquettes. Sprigs and leaflets were crushed and pressed. The length of the briquette was 36 cm, width - 16 cm, and thickness - 4 cm. Such a drink was considered the main remedy for colds.
In some cases, pressed briquettes consisted of black and green tea, as well as various medicinal herbs. The composition of plants changed depending on the terrain. For example, in the Caucasus and regions of Siberia in the grassy collection was considered mandatory. To prevent tea from causing allergies, herbs were harvested before flowering.
Main ingredient
Pressed tiles are considered the most suitable option for a Kalmyk tea recipe, as they have astringency and natural bitterness. Leaves are harvested in the fall, and at this point they are already quite rough. They are slightly dried, but not subjected to fermentation. Such ripe leaves have always been the traditional basis for the preparation of a nutritious drink.
It’s not always possible to buy tea briquettes, so regular green tea (preferably leaf tea ) is often taken as an alternative or mixed with black tea .
There is a ready-made Kalmyk tea on sale, packaged in bags. But it’s better to make a drink yourself, because it is more useful and close to the original.
Essential Products
For a Kalmyk tea recipe, milk was an essential ingredient. The dairy product that was at hand was added to the drink. Kalmyk tea was served with the addition of cow, goat or camel milk.
Tea with ram fat was considered traditional, but it could be replaced with butter.
In Kalmyk tea and the recipe for its preparation with milk, the presence of spices and salt was always implied. Black pepper peas, nutmeg and bay leaf are put in the drink. Some housewives add spices intended for meat dishes.
In order to make a drink, you will need water. And the first thing to do is put the crushed briquette into the water. The following is a consistent description of the steps required to make a traditional drink.
Kalmyk milk tea recipe
A step-by-step recipe is as follows:
- A well-mashed green tea briquette is poured into cold water and boiled for about 10 minutes.
- Pour milk in a small stream and stir. This must be done very slowly.
- Black pepper and bay leaves are immediately placed after the milk and boiled for 5 minutes already with spices.
- The cooked mass is shaken vigorously, after which the foam becomes more pronounced and the drink looks appetizing.
- Ready tea is filtered through a sieve.
- After the tea is poured into cups, a piece of lamb fat is placed in each of them.
If someone does not like it, then replacing the fat with butter, you can completely get enough and enjoy a specific drink.
For many, such tea will immediately seem unusual, so it’s better to cook it a bit and take the ingredients in small proportions. For example, 2 tbsp. l mashed tea, half a glass of milk and water and 1 tsp. fat (butter). Spices and salt add to taste.
Some may have a desire to try the drink, but the question arises of how to make Kalmyk tea if there are no pressed tiles on sale. The following are recipes using conventional brewing of green and black tea.
Other traditional drink options
In order to achieve the taste of Kalmyk tea as close as possible to the original, it is better to take leafy rough varieties. The main thing is that such products as milk and butter are present. Spices can be varied. Nomads added nutmeg, pepper, cloves, bay leaf and cinnamon to the Kalmyk tea recipe. Some people make tea using homemade milk and don’t add oil to it, since the drink is already fatty. Everyone can make healthy tea at their discretion.
But in order not to be at a loss as to how to brew Kalmyk tea, the recipe for its preparation can be used as follows: milk is immediately poured into the pan and large-leaved black and green tea is put. When the liquid boils well, add spices and leave to insist on a warm stove for 15 minutes. Such a drink is prepared without adding water. The ingredients are taken from the calculation: for 1 liter of milk 2 tablespoons of tea, 2 pcs. spicy cloves, a pinch of chopped nutmeg, 20 g butter and salt on the tip of a knife.
There is a recipe for Kalmyk tea, which is prepared only on the basis of black. Use ordinary loose leaf tea or pressed. Ingredients for cooking:
- black tea - 2 tbsp. l .;
- water - 2 glasses;
- milk - 2.5 glasses;
- butter - 30 g;
- bay leaf - 1 pc.;
- black peppercorns - 4 pcs.;
- salt - 4 g.
The method of preparation of Kalmyk tea is the same as described above.
Benefit and harm
The fact that there is milk in the Kalmyk tea recipe speaks about the benefits of the drink. Tea in itself has always been considered a means of invigorating and energizing. Together, these components provide the body with the necessary substances.
- Kalmyk drink improves health and memory.
- With regular use of the drink in the blood, the sugar level is significantly reduced.
- Tea is actively involved in metabolic processes.
- Jomba helps to lose weight.
- A traditional drink improves digestion and has a positive effect on disorders and poisoning.
- Tea is recommended for people suffering from diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
- During lactation, Kalmyk tea helps increase the amount of breast milk.
- For colds, an unusual drink is a good additional tool for medical treatment.
- Tea strengthens the immune system and is useful for vitamin deficiencies.
Like any natural product, a Kalmyk drink can do harm. Overuse of green tea can lead to liver and kidney disease, as well as stone formation.
Reviews
Based on the reviews of Kalmyk tea, we can conclude that it is an amateur drink. Some people think that you can get used to it. Many bought ready-made packaged tea, which is in supermarkets, and even tried to add butter to it to bring its taste to its original state. And some were struck by the fact that the combination of tea, salt and cream they liked very much.
Output
We reviewed the recipe for an unknown drink. You can cook it even for the sake of curiosity. It is also worth considering the beneficial properties of Kalmyk tea. The best recipe will be the one you like. After all, in addition to the main ingredients, the taste of tea can be regulated using spices and oil. The main thing is to remember that the main products are tea, milk and salt.