📌 Clove Tea
Posted 9 April 2026 by: Admin
Herbal tea, in general, is often a disappointment. Bland, vaguely medicinal, forgotten on the corner of the desk. Not this one. Five cloves and some hot water, and you end up with something truly comforting — powerful, robust, and full of character.
In your cup, the liquid is a dark amber, almost coppery when the light passes through the glass. The scent rises even before you put your lips to it — warm, spicy, with that sweet and slightly camphorated undertone typical of cloves. On the palate, it prickles gently, a warmth that spreads slowly down the throat and lingers there for several minutes after the last sip. Nothing like those dull, lifeless infusions.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Ingredient Notes
Everything you need to prepare homemade clove tea: five cloves, honey, lemon.
- Whole cloves : Take them whole, never ground. The powder loses its intensity in a few weeks and you’ll end up with a dull tea. Whole, cloves keep their essential oils locked away until the moment you heat them. Choose them very dark, almost black, with the small rounded bud intact on top — a sign they are fresh and still aromatic.
- Filtered water : Hard tap water fights with the clove aromas and you will taste the difference in the cup. A simple filter jug is more than enough. No need for bottled mineral water.
- Raw honey : If you want to sweeten it, avoid the transparent liquid honey from supermarkets — that one has nothing left to say. Choose a slightly thick, cloudy honey with character: thyme, acacia, or buckwheat depending on your preference. It softens the clove’s heat without overpowering it.
- Lemon (optional) : A slice changes the balance of the cup. The acidity cuts through the spicy roundness and adds liveliness to the drink. It’s better to squeeze a bit directly into the cup rather than just letting a slice float on the surface without truly infusing.
Dry roasting — not mandatory, but really good
Put the five cloves in a small dry pan over medium heat. No oil, no water. Wait. After forty seconds to a minute, it begins — a warm, vanilla-like, slightly smoky scent that suddenly takes over the kitchen. That’s exactly what you want. The cloves will brown very slightly, almost imperceptibly. No more. Remove from the heat as soon as the smell is there, otherwise, it turns bitter and is hard to fix. This step isn’t in every version of the recipe, but it doubles the intensity of the infusion.
Water, cloves, and patience
Bring 250 ml of water to a boil, then turn off the heat. Drop the cloves in — you’ll hear a brief hiss upon contact with the hot water — and cover immediately. Important: steam carries away part of the aromas if you leave the pot open. Let it steep for seven to ten minutes. Seven minutes is subtle and floral. Ten minutes is full-bodied and bold. The water turns a dark golden color as you wait, like a light black tea. Choose according to the time of day and your mood.
In the cup
Strain the cloves through a small sieve while pouring. If you’re adding lemon, do it now, not during infusion. Same for honey: wait until the temperature drops a bit — around 60-65°C — otherwise you destroy what makes it interesting. Drink it hot. Clove tea is a drink for cold evenings, rough mornings, or returning home from the rain — not a beverage to sip lukewarm while scrolling through your phone.
Tips & Tricks
- Do not exceed two to three cups a day. Cloves are powerful, and the eugenol they contain can become irritating in high doses. Two cups is the right balance.
- For a gentler evening version, add a chamomile tea bag to the infusion at the same time as the cloves. Less spicy, more floral, and it really helps to decompress before sleep.
- Used cloves can be steeped a second time — just extend the infusion to ten-fifteen minutes. The aroma will be less intense, but still there. No need to throw them away after just one use.
Can you drink clove tea every day?
Yes, at a rate of two to three cups maximum per day. Beyond that, the eugenol in cloves can become irritating to the gastric mucosa. In moderate, regular use, it is perfectly reasonable.
Can I use ground cloves instead of whole ones?
It’s not recommended. The powder infuses too quickly, resulting in a cloudy and often bitter drink that is hard to dose. Whole cloves release their aromas gradually for a much more balanced infusion.
Can you reuse cloves a second time?
Yes, once. Just extend the infusion to 12-15 minutes to compensate for the loss of intensity. After two uses, the cloves have nothing left to give — throw them away.
Is clove tea discouraged for certain people?
Yes. It should be avoided during pregnancy without medical advice, and is discouraged for people on anticoagulants as cloves can slightly thin the blood. If you have coagulation issues or gastric sensitivity, talk to your doctor first.
Can I prepare the tea in advance and reheat it?
Yes, but avoid steeping it for more than 10 minutes or it will turn bitter as it cools. Prepare it, strain the cloves immediately, and reheat in a pot or microwave when needed. It keeps for 24h in the refrigerator.
How can I intensify the taste without adding more cloves?
Dry roasting is the best option: 1 minute in a dry pan before steeping, and the aroma is significantly more pronounced. You can also extend the infusion up to 15 minutes, or add a small piece of cinnamon stick to complement the warm flavors.
Clove Tea
Traditional
Hot beverage
A spicy and comforting infusion, ready in 15 minutes. Ideal for winter mornings or after a heavy meal.
Ingredients
- 5 whole cloves
- 250 ml filtered water
- 1 tsp raw honey (optional)
- 1 slice fresh lemon (optional)
Instructions
- 1Dry-roast the cloves in a small pan over medium heat for 1 minute until they release their aroma. This step is optional but intensifies the infusion.
- 2Bring 250 ml of water to a boil, then remove from heat.
- 3Add the cloves to the hot water, cover, and let steep for 7 to 10 minutes depending on desired intensity.
- 4Strain the cloves with a fine sieve and pour into a cup.
- 5Add honey (once off the boil, around 60°C) and squeeze the lemon slice if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
• Do not exceed 2 to 3 cups per day. Cloves are powerful and can irritate the stomach in excess.
• Used cloves can be reused a second time by extending the steeping time to 12-15 minutes.
• Evening variant: add a chamomile bag and a cinnamon stick for a softer, more soothing version.
Nutrition Facts (per serving, estimated)
| 25 kcalCalories | 0 gProtein | 6 gCarbs | 0 gFat |
