Iraqi Dried Lime
From $17.50
What’s In The Packet?
100% natural. no added flavours. artisanal. handcrafted. hand-packaged
Feel
Rejuvenated.
Invigorated.
Balanced.
Tastes
Tangy.
Smoky.
Citrusy.
Exotically rich and uniquely aromatic, with a delightful interplay of tart citrus and subtle smokiness.
Experience It
Anytime as a Caffeine-free Treat.
Hot or Iced. Sweet.
Best Enjoyed
Hot and steaming, with its exotic fragrance inspiring a blissed-out smile with each sip. When the weather calls for it or the mood strikes, Chai Numi Basra is heavenly over ice. If you’re a purist at heart and a fan of citrus with a gentle bittersweet twang, you can enjoy this tea (and all its healthful properties) straight. For a doubly delicious traditional Iraqi experience, add your desired sweetener to harmonise with the touch of tartness and lift the zesty flavour.
Best Served
For a cultural treat, service your Iraqi Dried Lime tea in traditional dainty tulip cups on a decorative tea tray. Pour small amounts of tea at a time, keeping the rest hot in the teapot. Just remember to keep the tiny refills flowing! Of course, this delightful tea will be equally spectacular served in your favourite teacups. For a cooling indulgence, serve it over plenty of ice in a tall glass.
Pairs With
Its uniquely flavoured self. Exotic, tart and aromatic, Iraqi Dried Lime tea is a sensorial experience that needs to be enjoyed with full focus.
Elevate It
Though it’s an absolute treat in its natural state, a traditional way to elevate it is to crack 1-2 cardamom pods and add them to your cup with a couple of drops of rosewater. You can also complement the tea’s exotic tart flavour by brewing it with fresh ginger, fresh mint, or cinnamon. Finally, though not traditional, a squeeze of fresh lime can liven up your cup!
Tea Time
From morning to midnight, there’s always time for tea! This is as true in Iraq as it is in your home. Tap into the power of Iraqi Dried Lime tea whenever you’re in need of a refill of vitality or the mood for a citrus hit strikes.
Caffeine Level
Naturally caffeine-free
For peaceful sipping
Known For
Detoxification. Digestion. Immunity
Brewing Guide
In need of instant refreshment? Follow these steps for a quick and tasty brew!
-
Leaf
1 heaped tsp
-
Liquid
250 ml
-
Method
Stovetop brew
-
Temp
Rolling boil
-
Time
3 – 5 min
How to Brew the Simple Way
To Make 1 Cup:
- 1
Add 1 cup (250 ml / 8.5 fl oz) of water to a stovetop teapot or saucepan.
- 2
Add 1 heaped tsp of tea.
- 3
Cover and bring to a rolling boil.
- 4
Reduce heat and gently simmer for 3 – 5 min.
- 5
Strain into cup.
- 6
Sweeten to taste (optional but highly recommended to balance the bittersweet flavour).
This Brewing Guide details how we recommend brewing your tisane. 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 tisane-to-water ratio, and the perfect water temperature and brewing time.
Conduct a smoky citrus symphony by traditionally brewing your Iraqi Dried Lime tea
-
Leaf
1 heaped tsp
-
Liquid
250 ml
-
Method
Stovetop brew
-
Temp
Rolling boil
-
Time
3 – 5 min
How to Brew the Traditional Iraqi Way
Tea Tools
All the specialised utensils you’ll need for the traditional brew:
-
Measure
You will need 1 heaped tsp of tea per cup (250 ml / 8.5 fl oz) of water. For best results, use freshly drawn ambient filtered water.
-
Brew
Add the water to your stovetop teapot or saucepan, followed by the tea. If you wish to take your tisane to new heights, throw in some fresh ginger, fresh mint, or cinnamon sticks to taste.
If sweetening with sugar, add it at now to create greater depths of flavour. Simmering sugar with the brew creates a balanced but indulgent cup. The sugar dissolves beautifully into the tisane, often caramelizing slightly, giving you a richly flavoured, harmonious cup of tea.
Tip: As the dried limes are packed with therapeutic value, they can have a bittersweet flavour. Tradition calls for sugar (or your favourite alternative sweetener) to highlight the citrus beauty of the limes and complement their tart taste.
Cover and bring to a rolling boil on the stovetop. Reduce the heat and gently simmer for 3 – 5 min or until the liquor develops a rich amber colour.
-
Serve
Whether you’re sharing with others or enjoying a solo tea adventure, you can pour the brew directly into cups. If you brewed it in a saucepan, you may wish to transfer the tea into a teapot first. Either way, it’s best to strain it through a mesh strainer to prevent the fruit pieces from flowing out. If you didn’t add sugar to the brew, you can add it during service, allowing everyone to find their own sweet spot. This is also the ideal moment for adding honey or any alternative sweetener. With your cups perfectly sweetened, you can add cracked cardamom pods and rosewater or any other garnishes you desire.
Note for honey lovers: It's best to let your tisane cool a little before adding honey. Otherwise, the heat of the water can alter its taste and health benefits. Honey dissolves beautifully in a slightly cooled brew and retains all its beneficial properties. So, for a nourishing tisane, let it cool for a moment before drizzling in your honey.
-
Drink
If you are drinking from a traditional tulip cup, ensure you hold the cup from the rim using your thumb and index finger so that you do not burn yourself. The genius of the tulip cup design is that it is shaped in the shape of a tulip, with an outward-curving mouth to protect the drinker’s hands from the heat.
Before taking your first sip, savour the aroma of the tea in the teacup to experience greater depths of flavour. The tea 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 tisane. 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 tisane-to-water ratio, and the perfect water temperature and brewing time.
Longing for a fresh escape? Brew up a frosty and refreshing iced tisane!
How to Brew the Chilled-Out Way
To enjoy Iraqi Dried Lime iced, simply follow the Quick Brew steps, adjusting the tisane-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. Add your favourite garnishes to give it an extra refreshing kick. For a spiced elixir add fresh ginger, fresh mint, or cinnamon to your pot when brewing. For softer vibes, crack 1-2 cardamom pods into each cup after straining, then add a couple of drops of rosewater. For a tasty but non-traditional alternative, add freshly squeezed lime, lime slices, and fresh mint.
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 tisane 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
As the dried limes are packed with therapeutic value, they can have a bittersweet flavour. Tradition calls for sugar (or your favourite alternative sweetener) to highlight the citrus beauty of the limes and complement their tart taste.
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 diluting drinks, but you can harness its power to water things down by brewing your tea a little stronger than you otherwise would. To get it just right, try doubling the tisane quantity provided under Quick Brew. You many need to experiment a little to find your perfect balance.
Fancy a more intense iced brew? Exchange the Quick Brew for the Traditional Brew to magnify the flavour and aroma of your iced tea. Just remember you'll still need to scoop in double the tisane!
This Brewing Guide details how we recommend brewing your tisane. 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 tisane-to-water ratio, and the perfect water temperature and brewing time.
