Vegan beetroot and ginger tea

Vegan beetroot and ginger tea with fresh beetroot, lemon and mint – an aromatic tea with an earthy freshness and a subtle heat.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 5 min
• Cooking time: 15 min
• Total time: 20 min
• Calories: 35 kcal per serving
• Protein: 1 g
• Carbs: 8 g

Ingredients

• 2 thick slices of fresh ginger
• 1 raw beetroot
• 1/2 unwaxed lemon
• 800ml boiling water
• 1 sprig of fresh mint

Method

You’ll need: chopping board · knife · sieve · grater

1. Wash the raw beetroot thoroughly, peel it if needed and cut it into small pieces or slices. Slice the ginger as well.
2. Put the beetroot and ginger in a heatproof jug or cafetière and pour the boiling water over them. Leave to steep until the infusion has taken on a clear colour.
3. Add the fresh mint and leave the tea to steep a little longer. Then let it cool until lukewarm or completely cold.
4. Squeeze the unwaxed lemon and grate a little zest. Only add the lemon juice and zest once the tea has cooled or is lukewarm.
5. Pour the tea through a sieve if you like, to remove the beetroot, ginger and mint. Give it another quick stir.
6. To serve, pour the vegan beetroot and ginger tea into glasses and, if you like, add a little mint or a slice of lemon.

Good to know

A tea like this tastes mild and clear. Earthy depth, fresh acidity and a hint of heat make it surprisingly well rounded. Especially nice cold or lukewarm.

Swaps

Fresh ginger → fresh turmeric + a pinch of black pepper (milder, provides curcuminoids) Raw beetroot → red or purple carrot (similarly earthy and sweet, milder in flavour, contains carotenoids or anthocyanins) 1/2 unwaxed lemon → unwaxed lime (similarly fresh and tart, provides vitamin C and other polyphenols) Fresh mint → fresh rosemary or lemon balm (aromatic, provides various plant compounds; lemon balm tastes milder)

Allergens

The recipe is naturally free from the most common allergens; ginger and lemon can be irritating if you have a sensitive stomach or reflux, and during pregnancy and for children a mild, not too concentrated brew is usually the more sensible choice.

Frequently asked questions

What does beetroot contain nutritionally?

Beetroot mainly provides folate and potassium, plus natural plant pigments called betalains. In an infusion, only part of these passes into the water.

Does the vitamin C from the lemon stay in the tea?

Vitamin C is sensitive to heat. That's why it makes sense to add the lemon juice and zest only to lukewarm or cold tea.

Does everyone tolerate ginger well?

Not always. With a sensitive stomach, reflux or very large amounts, ginger can feel quite hot.

Can beetroot be a problem for some people?

Yes, it contains naturally occurring oxalates. If you've had medical advice on this, for example for certain kidney stone issues, judge the amount for yourself.

What does the mint add to this tea apart from flavour?

Mint contains essential oils, mainly menthol compounds, depending on the variety. The amounts in the tea are fairly small, but they clearly shape its aroma and freshness.

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