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Gol gav zaban
Borage flower tea
Gol-e gav zaban (گل گاوزبان): Persian borage flower tea with lime and rock sugar
Gol gav zaban is the calming tea Iranians make on stressful evenings or when a cold is coming on, sold in bags of dried purple flowers by herbalists in the old bazaars of Tehran and Tabriz. Steeped in hot water it turns a dusky blue-brown, then flashes pink the moment lime juice goes in, which children love to watch. It is sipped with a stick of saffron nabat (rock sugar), sometimes with a few dried limes or a pinch of valerian. Persian borage contains small amounts of natural compounds that can strain the liver, so drink it only now and then, and avoid it if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have liver problems. Chef's tip: steep below boiling and keep the pot covered so the gentle aroma doesn't escape.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 sticks saffron rock sugar (nabat) or sugarto serve
- 1 dried lime (optional)pierced, optional
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Bring the 2 cups water to the boil, then let it stand for 1 minute so it is just below boiling.
3 minStep 2: Put the 1 tbsp dried Persian borage flowers (gol gav zaban) and the 1 dried lime, if using, in a teapot and pour the water over. Cover and steep for 5–7 minutes, until the tea is a deep blue-brown. Common mistake: boiling the flowers in the pan, which makes the tea bitter.
7 minStep 3: Strain into glasses and stir in the 1 tbsp lime juice juice; the tea turns pink. Serve hot with the 2 sticks saffron rock sugar (nabat) or sugar for stirring in.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 25 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 6 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does gol gav zaban take?
- About 10 minutes in total: 2 minutes to prepare and 8 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of lime juice?
- Lemon juice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of saffron rock sugar (nabat) or sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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