Alas it is now the season for itchy eyes, runny noses, sneezing and very often combined with fevers…. Ethiopians tell you it is “Gunfam” or Flu and ferengies will tell you it is “Allergies” or the “Common Cold”. As a sufferer you cough and splutter and carry on with your daily activities as best you can with your red nose and streaming nose…. But people in the know will tell you about relief in a cup!
Ethiopian Special Tea comes to the rescue! You might be doubtful that Tea will do the trick but mark my words this is no ordinary tea! The taste is both sweet and sour but instantly soothing! So what is in this Special Tea I hear you ask….
The pleasant burning sensation comes from large amounts ginger as well as portions of fresh orange juice, a squeeze of lemon, pineapple juice, garlic and honey. You can also add a dose of Ethiopian alcohol but that ingredient is optional. Not all Special teas contain all these ingredients but ingredients you will always find in this drink are ginger as the main one with orange juice and honey.
The ginger will immediately open up your sinuses and enable you to breathe! And usually within a day you begin to feel generally better. A Special tea a day might well keep the Doctor away.
Most cafes around Addis service this Special Tea and enquire if it does not appear on the menu but don’t be fooled with a drink that turns up with a tea bag as Special tea actually contains no tea!
Has Ethiopia got the remedy for the best kept secret of soothing if not curing the common cold….? It is indeed the most Special Tea I have ever tasted and as a Brit who does not like traditional tea anyway this tea is truly the best tea ever.