Lebanese Cinnamon
From $17.50
What’s In The Packet?
100% natural. no added flavours. organic ingredients.
artisanal. hand-blended. hand-packaged
Feel
Warm & Fuzzy.
Safe & Soothed.
Refreshed & Renewed.
Tastes
Spiced.
Floral.
Fragrant.
Aromatic, smooth and medium-bodied, with floral undertones and the delectable, spiced comfort of cinnamon.
Experience It
Morning, Noon & Early Afternoon.
Hot or Iced. Pure or Sweet.
Solo or With Your Fav Treat.
Best Enjoyed
Freshly brewed, with soft clouds of cinnamon and rose soothing your senses. If the weather is already steamy, this tea is a delight over ice. Purists will adore the comforting floral-spiced flavour of Shai bil Kirfi in its natural state. However, for a true Lebanese experience, add a traditional touch of sugar (or your desired sweetener) to enhance the floral and spiced notes. A splash of milk never goes astray either, while a drop of rosewater will add an extra dimension of exotic flavour and a twist of romance.
Best Served
In dainty tea glasses on a decorative tea tray, particularly if you’re sharing with friends and family or entertaining guests. Fill the tiny cups and keep the rest hot in the teapot, ready for an infinite flow of mini refills. Though it truly is a delight to serve Shai bil Kirfi in the traditional way, it will be equally lovely in your favourite teacups.
Pairs With
Its own delightful self so you can enjoy the gentle play of cinnamon and rose in the air and on your tastebuds. However, if the opportunity arises, traditional Lebanese treats add an unmissable cultural dimension to tea time. Try barazek (sesame and pistachio cookies that are like a blend of shortbread, baklava, and biscotti), ka’ak (dry, double-baked biscuity breadsticks, sometimes filled with dates), ghraibeh (buttery shortbread cookies) and ma’moul (semolina cookies made with rosewater, orange blossom water, and walnut, date, or pistachio filling). For a simpler cultural snack, try a mixed selection of salted nuts and seeds. Shai bil Kirfi is also a beautiful accompaniment to breakfast.
Tea Time
Tea flows all day in Lebanon, so all times are right for this spiced delight. Of course, the romance of rose is especially perfect for cosy reading sessions, and caffeine-sensitive tea lovers should be careful with post-sunset sips.
Caffeine Level
Moderate
For a softer buzz
Taste Strength
Medium
For a rich, smooth experience
Known For
Comfortable Energy. Smooth Digestion. Improved Immunity
Brewing Guide
Up for instant tea bliss? Follow these steps to fast track your brew!
-
Leaf
1 tsp
-
Liquid
200 ml
-
Method
Steep
-
Temp
100°C
-
Time
2 – 3 min
How to Brew the Simple Way
To Make 1 Cup:
- 1
Add 1 tsp of tea to a teapot, a tea maker, or an infuser pot, mug or cup.
- 2
Pour in 200 ml (7 fl oz) of water boiled to 100°C (212°F).
- 3
Steep for 2 – 3 min.
- 4
Strain into cup or, if using an infuser, remove it from the cup or mug.
- 5
Enjoy pure or sweeten to taste.
This Brewing Guide details how we recommend brewing your tea. But taste is a very personal thing, and we all have our own quirks and preferences. So feel free to experiment and have fun finding your tea brewing groove! You can then refer back to this Brewing Guide anytime you want a refresher on the best tools to use, the ideal brewing method, the magic leaf-to-water ratio, and the perfect water temperature and brewing time.
Awaken the magic within Lebanese Cinnamon with a traditional stovetop brew
-
Leaf
1 tsp
-
Liquid
200 ml
-
Method
Stovetop brew
-
Temp
Rolling boil
-
Time
3 – 6 min
How to Brew the Traditional Lebanese Way
Tea Tools
All the specialised utensils you’ll need for the traditional brew:
-
Measure
You will need 1 tsp of tea per 200 ml (7 fl oz) of water. For best results, use freshly drawn ambient filtered water.
-
Brew
Add the water to your stovetop teapot or saucepan. If sweetening with sugar, pop it in now so it can simmer with the tea and add delightful complexity. Cover and bring to a rolling boil on the stovetop.
Tip: Elevate your tea with a Levantine trick. Boiling sugar in water for 3 minutes creates a gentle caramel kiss that elevates tea's flavours for a smoother, more complex cup.
Next, add the tea and boil covered for 1 min. Remove from heat and steep for 2 min.
-
Serve
Whether you’re sharing with others or enjoying a solo tea adventure, you can now pour the brew directly into cups. If you brewed it in a saucepan, you may wish to transfer it into a teapot first. Either way, it’s best to use a mesh strainer as this will prevent the tea leaves from flowing out. If you brewed your tea without sugar, you can add it now, allowing everyone to find their perfect sweet spot. This is also the time for adding honey and other alternative sweeteners. Serve the tea on its own or with your milk of choice. If you feel like experimenting, take inspiration from the locals in Lebanon and add 1 – 2 drops of rosewater to each cup.
Note for honey lovers: Hot water can be a bit intense for honey, changing its flavour and diminishing some of its goodness. But don't stress! Honey blends perfectly in slightly cooled tea, keeping all its health benefits and flavours intact. So, for a truly nourishing cup, let your tea take a quick breather before bringing honey into the mix.
-
Drink
If you are drinking from a traditional handle-less cup, hold the rim with your thumb and index finger. Not only is this the traditional way, but it is also the best method for ensuring you do not burn your fingers.
Before taking your first sip, savour the aroma of the tea in the teacup to experience greater depths of flavour. The brew may be piping hot, so make your first sip small and take it slow, testing the temperature of the brew so that you don’t burn yourself. If you’re not in a rush, you can also let your brew cool for a while as you savour its comforting aroma, building up anticipation for that first satisfying sip.
This Brewing Guide details how we recommend brewing your tea. But taste is a very personal thing, and we all have our own quirks and preferences. So feel free to experiment and have fun finding your tea brewing groove! You can then refer back to this Brewing Guide anytime you want a refresher on the best tools to use, the ideal brewing method, the magic leaf-to-water ratio, and the perfect water temperature and brewing time.
Keen to beat the heat with a cool brew? Try your spiced tea iced!
How to Brew the Chilled-Out Way
To enjoy this tea iced, simply follow the Quick Brew steps, adjusting the leaf-to-water ratio based on the volume of your cup and how strong you like your tea (see tip below). After straining, add any sweetener you desire, then cool the tea uncovered until it reaches room temperature. Lebanese Cinnamon is delicious straight but for a creamy iced delight, top it with your milk of choice until you find the right balance. As a general guide, you’ll get a lovely strong tea flavour by adding ⅔ tea and ⅓ milk. Whichever way you go, you can add an exotic twist and elevate the floral fragrance by adding a few drops of rosewater per cup. Serve chilled over ice.
Want to make a big batch of tea to fill a glass jug or pitcher?
In this case, it’ll be easier to prepare a tea concentrate first. Follow the Quick Brew steps, adding the amount of leaf you’ll need for the total volume of your jug or pitcher. However, instead of adding the full amount of water, only add 1 cup (250 ml / 8.5 fl oz) per litre (34 fl oz) of iced tea you’re making. After straining the concentrate into your vessel and sweetening to taste, simply top it up with the remaining volume of ambient water. No need to cool your tea – the ambient water will naturally do the job for you! Add your favourite garnishes and serve chilled.
Tips
Hate the gritty aftertaste of poorly blended sweetener? Incorporating your sweetener while the brew is hot ensures it blends flawlessly, enriching your tea with a charming sweetness that harmonises perfectly and never overpowers the other flavours.
Ice is infamous for watering down drinks, and if you’re adding milk to make your iced tea creamy, it’ll contribute to the diluting effect. Thankfully, you can evade this issue by brewing your tea stronger. This ensures the milk and ice don’t dilute the tea flavour. To find the right balance, try doubling the tea leaf quantity provided under Quick Brew. You many need to experiment a little to find your golden ratio!
Ready to craft your perfect iced tea? Skip the Quick Brew and take the Traditional Brew path instead. Traditional brewing unlocks richer flavours and more captivating aromas. Just remember to double the leaves for a true iced tea masterpiece!
This Brewing Guide details how we recommend brewing your tea. But taste is a very personal thing, and we all have our own quirks and preferences. So feel free to experiment and have fun finding your tea brewing groove! You can then refer back to this Brewing Guide anytime you want a refresher on the best tools to use, the ideal brewing method, the magic leaf-to-water ratio, and the perfect water temperature and brewing time.
