Did you know dandelions are edible? All parts of this incredible plant are not only edible, but very nutritious and offer several health benefits! You can eat their beautiful bright yellow flowers, their green leaves, and their roots, raw or dried and roasted.

This recipe uses roasted dandelion roots in combination with chai spices to make a delicious warming and detoxing chai tea. You can enjoy it pure or sweetened and with or without your favourite milk or cream.

Dandelion roots have an earthy and bitter flavour, similar to coffee, and can be used as a great caffeine-free alternative to black tea and coffee.

They’re rich in antioxidants, can aid digestion and support the liver and kidneys. Tea made with dandelion roots is known to be a liver tonic which can help the liver to detox by filtering out harmful chemicals and can therefore reduce stress on the liver.

Drinking dandelion tea is a great way to detox and support your liver after the holidays and a tasty one too. Get yourself some dried and roasted dandelion roots to mix with your favourite chai spices and enjoy this detoxing and delicious version of chai!

TIPS TO MAKE THE PERFECT DANDELION ROOT DETOX CHAI

You can find dried dandelion roots in natural health food stores or online.

You can roast your dried dandelion roots either in a cast-iron skillet or on a baking sheet in the oven. I prefer roasting them in the oven because I’ve burnt them easily on the stove. If you do it on the stove, make sure to watch them closely and keep stirring them to avoid having them burn.

I prefer the flavour of freshly ground whole spices to make my chai tea and enjoy the process of preparing them, but you can also use pre-ground spices if you’d like.

Important Note: Dandelion root tea may interact with certain medications. Make sure to consult a healthcare professional in case you have allergies, are pregnant or have any existing health conditions.

If you like to sweeten your chai with raw honey, let the tea cool down a bit first to ensure the raw honey’s potential health benefits. This will preserve its beneficial enzymes and vitamins without being degraded by too high temperatures.

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp            dried dandelion roots
1 inch              ginger
2 sticks           cinnamon
6-8 pods       cardamom
1 tsp                cloves
2 tsp               star anise
1/2 tsp            black pepper
1/4 tsp            nutmeg
4 cups            filtered water
raw honey or maple syrup to taste
your choice of milk or cream (optional)

TOOLS YOU WILL NEED

cast iron skillet or pan
baking sheet
mortar and pestle
small pot
fine mesh or tea strainer
milk frother (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Peel and thinly slice your fresh ginger root and set aside.

To roast your dandelion roots, you can either heat them in a dry cast iron skillet or on a baking sheet in the oven.
Heat your dandelion roots in a skillet over medium-high heat until they turn dark brown in colour. Stir frequently and watch them closely to avoid having them burn. They will start to release a nutty aroma, similar to coffee.
Or alternatively, roast them on a baking sheet for 15-20 minutes at 350°F (180°C) in the oven. Stir them every five minutes to evenly roast them.

Add your dry chai spices to a hot skillet to toast them lightly and to enhance their flavour and enjoy their scent.

Crush the spices and the ginger with a mortar and pestle.

Place roasted dandelion roots and spices in a pot, add the water and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer your chai tea for 12- 15 minutes.

Strain through a fine mesh strainer or tea strainer.

Add frothed milk or cream and honey or maple syrup to taste or enjoy pure!