Two Teas with Saffron

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Title: Two Teas with Saffron
Categories: Beverages, Ceideburg 2
Yield: 40 servings

MMMMM-------------------ARISTOCRATIC ICED TEA------------------------
8 c Boiling water (2 L)
1/2 ts Saffron Threads
Juice of 2 or 3 lemons
1 To 2 cups sugar (200 or
-400g)
Ice

MMMMM----------------------BLACK SPICED TEA---------------------------
12 Green cardamoms
8 ts Sugar
1/2 ts Saffron Threads
8 c Water (2L)
8 ts Black tea

Next time you get overwrought thinking of squid or tofu, sit down to
a nice steaming glass of the following and compose yerself...

ARISTOCRATIC ICED TEA:

It is the color of Chartreuse (which is also tinted with saffron). At
least 4 hours prior to serving, pour boiling water over threads.

Just before serving, add juice, sugar and ice cubes. Threads may be
left in or strained out.

Makes 40 servings.

BLACK SPICED TEA:

Chef Ashok Rajput of the Nataraja Restaurant (Palo Alto, Ca.) made
this tea for me while demonstrating how to make Indian-style ice
cream with cardamom, pistachios, and saffron. I thought I had found
heaven between sipping the delicate, slightly sweet, aromatic tea and
tasting the custard of the freshly made kulfi.

This tea is called Qahwa in Kashmir where India's 4,000 acres of
saffron fields are. It is also served in the Arab nations and Iran.
I have seen recipes with many other ingredients than the ones listed
below, so experiment also with green tea, rose water, fresh ginger,
almonds honey, cinnamon and milk.

Bring first four ingredients to a boil, then simmer until liquid is
reduced by half. Bring to a second boil, add tea and steep to
desired strength.

From "Wild About Saffron++A Contemporary Guide to an Ancient Spice",
by Ellen Szita. Published by Saffron Rose, 28 John Glenn Circle,
Daly City, Ca., 94105. 1987.

Posted by Stephen Ceideberg; March 30 1993.

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