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Ivan-chai (fireweed tea)
Иван-чай: fermented fireweed leaves brewed into a smooth, honeyed, caffeine-free amber tea from the Russian north
Long before Chinese tea reached ordinary villages, peasants around Koporye near St Petersburg, and on through Karelia and the Arkhangelsk forests, were rolling and fermenting the leaves of fireweed, the tall pink-flowered plant that floods clearings every July. Ivan-chai is having a revival now, sold in paper bags at markets and drunk at the dacha in the evening from the samovar, because it has no caffeine and will not keep anyone awake. It brews to a clear amber with a soft, slightly fruity, honey-and-dried-apple taste and almost no bitterness. Granular kinds taste deeper, leaf kinds more floral. The common mistake is brewing it for two or three minutes like black tea; it needs a full 10 minutes in a warmed pot to open up, and it never turns bitter if you leave it longer. It is ready when the liquid is a deep golden-amber and smells of honey and dried fruit. It is traditionally drunk as a calming evening tea; if you are pregnant or on regular medication, check with a doctor before drinking it daily. Chef's tip: the same leaves give a second, lighter pot; just top up with fresh hot water and wait another 10 minutes.
- Total time
- 13 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
For the tea
- 2 tbsp dried fermented fireweed tea (ivan-chai)leaf or granular; from Russian and Eastern European shops
- 2 cups water
To serve
- 2 tbsp blackcurrant or lingonberry jam (optional)served on the side, Russian style
- 2 tsp sugar (optional)
- 2 lemon slices (optional)
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Bring the 2 cups water to the boil, then let it stand for about 1 minute so it settles to around 194°F. Swirl a splash of it round a teapot to warm it, and pour that away.
3 minStep 2: Put the 2 tbsp dried fermented fireweed tea (ivan-chai) in the warm pot and pour over the hot water. Put the lid on and cover the pot with a folded tea towel.
1 minStep 3: Leave to brew for 10 minutes, until the tea is a deep golden-amber and smells of honey and dried apple.
10 minStep 4: Pour through a strainer into cups. Serve plain, or with 2 tsp sugar, 2 lemon slices or a spoonful of 2 tbsp blackcurrant or lingonberry jam eaten alongside. Top the leaves up with fresh hot water for a second pot.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 5 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 1 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ivan-chai (fireweed tea) take?
- About 13 minutes in total: 3 minutes to prepare and 10 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.
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