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Loomi tea
Shai loomi (شاي لومي): tangy Gulf tea of cracked dried black limes
Dried limes, loomi, are everywhere in the Gulf kitchen, from Bahraini machboos to Kuwaiti stews, and on cold days or after a heavy meal they are also cracked open and steeped into shai loomi, a tart, smoky, amber tea. In Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain it is drunk hot and sweet in small glasses, and it is many families' remedy for an upset stomach. The flavour is sour and a little bitter, like a cross between lemon tea and something faintly smoked. A common mistake is steeping the whole limes uncracked, which gives a weak, watery tea; break them open first. Strain well, as the seeds are very bitter if chewed. Chef's tip: use the darker limes for a deeper, earthier tea and the pale ones for a sharper, brighter cup.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 litre water
- 3 tbsp sugaror to taste
- 4 sprigs fresh mint (optional)
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Crack each 3 dried black limes with the flat of a knife or a pestle so it breaks into a few pieces.
Step 2: Bring 1 litre water to the boil, add the lime pieces and simmer gently until the water turns deep amber and smells tart, 8–10 minutes.
10 minStep 3: Stir in 3 tbsp sugar until dissolved, add 4 sprigs fresh mint if you like, then strain through a fine sieve into a teapot. Serve hot in small glasses.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 40 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 10 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does loomi tea take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of dried black limes?
- Lemon, same amount.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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