What’s In The Packet?
100% natural. no added flavours. organic ingredients.
artisanal. traditional recipe. hand-blended. hand-packaged
Feel
On the Ball.
Vibrant.
Refreshed.
Tastes
Robust.
Intensely Spiced.
Smooth.
Bold, robust and full-bodied with intense but well-balanced spiced flavours that dominate the palate.
Experience It
Morning, Noon & Early Afternoon.
Hot or Iced. Sweet.
Solo or With Your Fav Treat.
Best Enjoyed
Fresh from the stove with the warmth of the spices ignited by the heat of the brew. On hot days, you can stray from tradition and enjoy Shahi Ahmar over ice. If you love the powerful way this tea’s strong spices hit, you may enjoy it in its natural state. However, there's a reason tradition calls for sugar! Your desired sweetener will balance the boldness of the spices and unlock hidden aspects of the brew’s flavour.
Best Served
In dainty tea glasses, or your favourite teacups, displayed on a decorative tray. This adds a traditional touch of class to tea breaks with loved ones and times when you have guests to impress. Follow the Yemeni way by pouring small servings at a time, with an endless flow of refills from your teapot.
Pairs With
Its own vibrant self, so you can savour the spices. For a true Yemeni experience, however, it’s worth tracking down traditional treats. Look for ka’ak maleh (savoury brioche-like treats), ka’ak tamr (date-filled cookies), ghurayba (cardamom-infused shortbread). Bread-lovers will adore dhamool (biscuit-like bread) or kubana (beehive shaped pastry). Sabaya (Yemini honey cake), malikia (banana-based dessert), halawa (Yemimi halva), or your favourite bickie or cake will also pair beautifully with Shahee Ahmar.
Tea Time
Ask a Yemeni person when tea time is and the answer you’ll likely get is “now.” Enjoy your Yemini Red tea whenever you're struck by the desire for a soulful spiced experience. Just remember that evening indulgences will result in a late-night caffeine buzz!
Caffeine Level
High
For a shot of vitality
Taste Strength
Strong
For a punch of lively flavour
Known For
Clear Concentration. Digestive Support. Immunity Improvement
Brewing Guide
Quick tea fix needed? Follow these steps for instant refreshment!
-
Leaf
½ – 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 ½ – 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
Sweeten to taste (optional but highly recommended).
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.
Create spiced tea magic in your cup by brewing your Yemeni Red tea the traditional way
-
Leaf
½ – 1 tsp
-
Liquid
200 ml
-
Method
Stovetop brew
-
Temp
Rolling boil
-
Time
3 min
How to Brew the Traditional Yemeni Way
Tea Tools
All the specialised utensils you’ll need for the traditional brew:
-
Measure
Depending on how strong you like your tea, you will need ½ – 1 tsp of tea per 200 ml (7 fl oz) of water. For best results, use freshly drawn ambient filtered water.
Tip: Brew your tea in a teapot (or saucepan) that can cater for the number of cups you plan to serve. This ensures a perfect tea leaf-to-water ratio. If your pot is the wrong size, it can be easy to overfill or underfill and throw off the ratio. When working with a saucepan, correct sizing has the added benefit of preventing excess evaporation.
-
Brew
Add the water to your stovetop teapot or saucepan. If sweetening with sugar, add it now so it can simmer with the tea, elevating it to new heights of deliciousness.
Note: For a symphony of flavours, it's best to add sugar to the pot while brewing. This simple step allows the tea, bold spices, and soft sweetness to dance together, ensuring a perfectly balanced cup from every pour. It also adds wonderous depth through gentle caramelisation.
Cover and bring to a rolling boil on the stovetop. Next, add the tea and boil covered for 1 min. Remove from heat and steep for 2 min.
-
Serve
Whether you’re sharing with loved ones 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 tea leaves from flowing out.
Uphold the cultural tradition as you pour by leaving some space at the top of each cup. This makes the cups easier to manoeuvre and is especially important with traditional handle-less varieties, ensuring you can hold them without burning your fingers.
If you didn’t add sugar to the brew, you can add it now, allowing everyone to find their own sweet spot. This is also the right time to add honey or any alternative sweetener.
Note for honey lovers: It's best to let your tea cool a little before adding honey. Otherwise, the heat of the brew can alter its flavour and health benefits. Honey dissolves like magic in a slightly cooled brew and retains all its beneficial properties. So, for a tasty and nourishing tea, let your cuppa cool for a moment before drizzling in honey.
-
Drink
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 drinking from a traditional handle-less cup, hold the rim with your thumb and index finger to observe the cultural practice and protect your fingers from burning. 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.
In the mood for tea with a frosty twist? Spice your day up by chilling it down!
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, cool the tea uncovered so it reaches room temperature faster. Add your favourite garnishes to give it an extra refreshing kick. If you need some inspiration, Yemeni Red is delicious with freshly squeezed lemon and lemon slices. 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 adding your desired sweetener, 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 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 tea leaf quantity provided under Quick Brew. You many need to experiment a little to find your perfect balance.
Craving a richer iced brew? Swap the Quick Brew for the Traditional Brew to discover deeper layers of flavour and aroma. Hint: you should still double the tea leaf quantity when following the traditional steps.
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.