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Korean Apple Tea with Ginger and Cinnamon (Saegwa Cha) Recipe

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4.1 from 8 reviews

Korean Apple Tea with Ginger and Cinnamon, known as Saegwa Cha, is a warm and comforting beverage made by simmering sweet, firm apples with ginger, cinnamon, and peppercorns. This fragrant tea is naturally sweetened with brown sugar and offers a soothing balance of spice and fruitiness. Perfect served hot or chilled, it evokes the cozy flavors of Korean tradition and makes a delightful drink for any season.

  • Total Time: 28 to 50 minutes depending on cooking method
  • Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

Apple Tea Ingredients

  • 2 lbs (900 grams) sweet, firm apples (such as Gala, Fuji, Cortland, Ambrosia, or McIntosh), quartered and cored
  • 4 inch (55 grams) fresh ginger, sliced
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 tsp black peppercorns
  • 2 Tbsp (25 grams) brown sugar
  • 10 cups water

Instructions

  1. Prepare Apples and Ingredients: Wash the apples thoroughly. Quarter and core them, leaving the skin on for extra flavor and nutrients.
  2. Instant Pot Method: Place the quartered apples, sliced ginger, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns, and 10 cups of water into the Instant Pot cooking pot. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 18 minutes. When cooking is complete, manually release the steam to open the pot safely. Remove the cooking pot insert and let it cool briefly.
  3. Stovetop Method: Add the apples, ginger slices, brown sugar, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, and 10 cups of water to a stockpot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered until the apples are soft and the cinnamon sticks have unfurled slightly, about 30 minutes. Turn off heat and let the tea steep, still covered, for an additional 10 minutes to deepen flavors.
  4. Strain the Tea: Place a fine mesh sieve over a pitcher or mason jar. Slowly pour the apple tea into the sieve to separate the liquid from the solid ingredients. Press gently on the soft apples with the back of a large spoon to extract more juice. Be careful not to let any solids fall into the pitcher.
  5. Cool and Store: Allow the strained tea to cool to room temperature. Transfer the tea to a tightly sealed pitcher or jar and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Pour the apple tea into cups and enjoy it hot, cold, or at room temperature as a soothing and flavorful beverage.

Notes

  • Do not peel the apples to preserve nutrients and flavor.
  • Using organic ingredients enhances the purity and taste of the tea.
  • The tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar according to preference.
  • Black peppercorns add a subtle warmth and complexity; they can be reduced if a milder flavor is desired.
  • For a caffeine-free comforting drink, this tea is an excellent choice.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes (Instant Pot) or 40 minutes (Stovetop including simmer and steep time)
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: Korean
  • Diet: Low Fat

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/korean-apple-tea-with-ginger-and-cinnamon-saegwa-cha-recipe/