Begin by bringing fresh, filtered water to a rolling boil.
While the water heats, lightly crush the whole cloves using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a knife to help release their essential oils.
Place the crushed cloves into your favorite mug or a teapot.
Pour the freshly boiled water directly over the cloves.
Cover the mug or pot with a small plate or lid. This crucial step traps the volatile essential oils and steam, ensuring a more potent infusion.
Allow the tea to steep undisturbed for 5 to 7 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer the flavor.
After steeping, strain the tea to remove the clove pieces.
Stir in honey or lemon if desired, and enjoy while warm.
The process is intentionally simple to preserve the cloves’ active compounds.
The key is the “steeping under cover” method, which maximizes the extraction of eugenol—the primary bioactive component responsible for most of clove’s health benefits.
Avoid boiling the cloves directly for extended periods,
as high heat can degrade some of their delicate properties.
Variations:
read more in next page
