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Beverage

Georgian Strawberry Leaf Tea (Marc'hlis Feteli Chai)

Original name: Georgian Tea with Strawberry Leaf

A clear glass mug of golden strawberry leaf tea with fresh strawberry leaves on a rustic wooden table, steam gently rising with a soft morning light backdrop
Prep
5 mins
Cook
10 mins
Servings
2
GeorgianEasyBeverageBrunchVeganGluten FreeDairy FreePaleo

About this dish

Wild strawberry leaves bring a gentle, fruity charm to this traditional Georgian tisane. It’s a garden-to-cup hug in a mug — sweet, earthy, and soothe-your-soul good.

This tea has been sipped for generations in Georgian homes, often alongside walnut pastries and warm conversation. Easy to make, even easier to love.

Ingredients

UK and US measurements are both included for every recipe.

Wild or garden strawberry leaves

herb

1 cup loosely packed (20 g)

Imperial measurement: 1 cup, packed loosely

Fresh ginger slices

herb

3 thin slices (10 g)

Imperial measurement: 3 thin slices

Whole cloves

spice

2 cloves

Imperial measurement: 2 cloves (optional)

Spring water

liquid

2 cups (500 ml)

Imperial measurement: 2 cups

Fresh lemon slice

fruit

2 slices

Honey

other

1 tablespoon (20 g)

Imperial measurement: 1 tablespoon

Method

1

Rinse the leaves

1 minute

If using fresh leaves, rinse them well. If they are homegrown, just a good swish is fine. Pat dry with a clean cloth.

2

Bruise the leaves

1 minute

Gently crush the leaves in your hand or lightly with a rolling pin. This wakes up their essential oils.

3

Boil aromatics

3 minutes

In a small pot, bring water, ginger, and cloves to a rolling boil.

4

Add strawberry leaves

5 minutes

Turn off heat, toss in the strawberry leaves, and put a lid on the pot. Steep for 5-8 minutes.

5

Strain and serve

2 minutes

Strain into tea cups. Add lemon slice and honey to taste. Crown with a fresh strawberry-leaf mint over laughter.

Equipment

  • small pot
  • strainer
  • tea cups

Nutrition facts

360 kcal
Calories
0.6 g
Protein
18.0 g
Carbohydrates
0.0 g
Fat
0.3 g
Fiber
12 mg
Sodium

Tips

  • Pick tender strawberry leaves before noon when oils aren’t clouded with heat.
  • Dry leftover strawberry leaves in a basket, keep them in awiar pouch, and make tea pre-style.
  • Never steep for more than 8 juicy minutes inside an open pot — the little honeymoon can dump along a flutter of bites.
  • Yes!, not on lids closes entirely from glasswares, crackle leaves in teapot, as they’ll be gentler flavouring.

Serving suggestions

  • Serve with toasted walnuts (Georgian style!), honey drizzles, softened loaf twists.

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Nino Beridze

Recipe by

Nino Beridze

Specialises in Georgian cuisine

Nino makes khachapuri that oozes cheese like a volcano. She says the secret is loving the dough like a child.

Describe yourself in three words: Loving, loud, huggy.