~49 cal · 0g protein · 13g carbs · 0g fat (estimated, per serving)
🍽️
Glass of dark spiced tea
🇸🇴 Mogadishu
Shaah is the tea of Somali hospitality, spiced generously with cardamom (hayl), cinnamon, and clove and boiled dark and sweet. Offered to every guest and drunk throughout the day, this fragrant brew — here in its clear, milk-free form — carries the warmth of the Horn of Africa in every cup.
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Make it yours
Toggle a diet and the ingredients rewrite themselves with regional substitutes.
🥕 Vegetarian
🌱 Vegan
🌾 Gluten-Free
🥛 Dairy-Free
🥜 Nut-Free
🥚 Egg-Free
Ingredients
Serves 4 —
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2 tbsp loose black tea
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4 cups water
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6 pods cardamom
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1 stick cinnamon
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3 clove
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1/4 cup sugar, to taste
Instructions
1
Bring the water to a boil with the cracked cardamom, cinnamon stick, and cloves.
2
Add the tea and sugar and boil gently for 5 minutes until dark and deeply fragrant.
3
Let it steep off the heat for a minute so the spices bloom.
4
Strain into glasses and serve very hot and sweet.
Somali hospitality tradition.
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🌏 While it simmers — know your destination
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Mogadishu. The Indian Ocean capital, where every lunch is spiced rice.
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Somalia. A long coast of spiced rice and camel-caravan flavor.
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Africa. Fifty-four countries of tagines, stews, and fire-kissed grills.
The story behind this dish is up top — worth a read while the pot works.
👩🍳
Richard Moore & Kelsey Tucker
Recipes cooked, tested, and researched by the creators of Spin the Globe. How we build our recipes →
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