| Prep Time | 2 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Steeping Time | 5 minutes |
| Total Time | 17 minutes |
| Yield | 2 servings (approx. 8 fl oz / 240 mL per serving) |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Flavor Profile | Warm, sweet-spicy, aromatic, slightly woodsy |
| Flavor Intensity | Medium-High (Adjustable via steeping time) |
Recipe Key Parameters & Intensity Guide
When working with whole spices, extraction speed depends directly on heat intensity and duration. For the ideal balance of aromatic sweet notes without harsh bitterness, follow these exact intensity levels:
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Initial Bring-to-Boil: High Intensity / High Heat (100°C / 212°F)
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Simmering Phase: Low Intensity / Low Heat (Gentle rolling simmer, ~85°C–90°C)
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Steeping & Extraction Phase: Off Heat / Covered Rest (Preserves essential volatile oils)
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Flavor Profile Intensity:
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Mild (4–5 minutes simmer): Soft, herbal, lightly sweet.
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Balanced (8–10 minutes simmer): Rich, warming, distinct aromatic bite.
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Robust/Medicinal (12+ minutes simmer): Deeply spicy, intense eugenol presence, tongue-tingling finish.
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Ingredients
To achieve optimal clarity, aroma, and wellness benefit, use high-quality, unblemished whole spices.
Primary Base:
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Water: 2.5 cups (600 mL) filtered water (extra 0.5 cup accounts for evaporation during boiling)
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Whole Cloves: 1 tablespoon (approx. 10–12 whole dried clove buds)
Complementary Aromatics (Optional, Recommended):
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Ceylon Cinnamon Stick: 1 small stick (approx. 2 inches), gently cracked
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Fresh Ginger Root: 1/2 inch knob, sliced thinly or lightly crushed
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Green Cardamom Pod: 1 pod, lightly cracked to expose seeds
Finishes & Sweeteners (To Taste):
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Raw Honey or Pure Maple Syrup: 1 to 2 teaspoons per mug (add only after liquid cools below boiling to protect enzymes)
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Fresh Lemon Juice: 1 teaspoon per serving (adds a bright citrus contrast)
Step-by-Step Brewing Instructions
Pro Tips for Website Readers & Home Brewers
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Avoid Ground Clove Powder: Ground clove powder can quickly make tea sludge-like, cloudy, and unpleasantly bitter or numbing on the tongue. Whole cloves yield a smooth, clear amber brew.
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Honey Temperature Threshold: Always wait until your mug of tea drops slightly below boiling before stirring in raw honey. High heat degrades honey’s beneficial active enzymes and natural nutrients.
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Re-steeping Potential: Quality whole cloves can often be re-steeped a second time! Simply add 1 more cup of fresh water to the used cloves in your saucepan and simmer for an extra 2–3 minutes.
Nutrition Facts & Nutritional Breakdown
The values below represent 1 serving (8 fl oz / 240 mL) of plain unsweetened clove tea, along with estimates including 1 teaspoon of raw honey.
Unsweetened Clove Tea (Base Infusion)
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value* |
| Calories | 5 kcal | 0% |
| Total Fat | 0.1 g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Sodium | 5 mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1.1 g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.4 g | 1% |
| Total Sugars | 0 g | — |
| Protein | 0.1 g | 0% |
| Manganese | 0.6 mg | 26% |
| Vitamin K | 1.8 mcg | 2% |
| Calcium | 12 mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 22 mg | 0% |
