Cinnamon is commonly used in warm Middle Eastern drinks.
Middle Eastern cuisine features savory spices that add bold and rich flavor to meats and side dishes. Some of these ingredients are common in Western cooking to add depth to certain foods. Many of these spices are also used in the beverages that are well known in the Western region of the world, and can be used to enhance the flavor of coffees and teas.
Cardamom
Cardamom has a pleasant aroma and distinct flavor that is used in a number of savory dishes in Arabian and Ethiopian cooking since it pairs well with rich flavors like turmeric, and spicy accents like curry. The spice was also used as a perfume in ancient Greek and Roman times. Middle Easterners often use cardamom in hot tea and coffee to enhance the flavor and add sweetness. Cardamom is often added to chai tea, a Middle Eastern tea drink that includes milk and spices. Cardamom, a natural stimulant that is sometimes used to treat indigestion, is also used in some alcoholic beverages to give a distinct richness that complements other sweet flavors and citrus notes.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is another spice that is often used in Middle Eastern beverages, and is added to savory dishes and desserts as well. Cinnamon is also used to spice chai tea. Cinnamon, which is known to lower blood sugar and regulate blood pressure, is added to black tea along with nutmeg, cardamom and cloves. The tea is boiled with milk and a sweetener is added for a warm, rich treat.
Anise
Anise has a sweet, licorice-like flavor, and is used in both hot and cold teas in the Middle East. Cooks and candy makers in the West have also used anise flavoring and seeds to flavor candies like licorice and a variety of hard candies. Anise seed or syrup is also used in coffee to sweeten the drink and enhance the richness of the coffee beans. Anise is also one of the main ingredients in arak, a Middle Eastern distilled alcoholic beverage, and the spice is commonly taken after meals as a digestive aid.
Tags: also used, Middle Eastern, enhance flavor, savory dishes
