• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tara's Multicultural Table

  • Index
  • International Recipes
  • Travel
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Policies

Shai Adeni (Adeni Tea)

27 March, 2018 by Tara 8 Comments

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

A recipe for Shai Adeni (Adeni Tea)! This Yemeni tea from the coastal city of Aden is flavored with warming spices and sweetened condensed milk.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Shai Adeni (Adeni Tea) in two cups next to cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon sticks.

I first came across Shai Adeni (Shahi Mulaban, Shahi Haleeb, Arabic Shai, Adeni Tea) at Marib Restaurant in Springfield, Virginia and absolutely loved the beautiful combination of spices and condensed milk with the black tea. It was such a wonderful addition to our meal.

The tea comes together with a short prep time and a few minutes on the stove. In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a simmer with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and a little nutmeg.

Cook until fragrant, about 10 minutes, then add the black tea leaves.

Continue to simmer for another 2-4 minutes for desired strength and finally stir in the sweetened condensed milk. Cook until heated through and adjust seasonings to taste.

Strain the tea through a fine mesh sieve to catch the leaves and spices, then serve the Shai Adeni hot. This recipe is enough for about 3-4 people, but it can easily be doubled to serve more.

A Few Tips

Side view of Shai Adeni (Adeni Tea) in two cups with teapot in the background.

Simmer the tea leaves to desired strength, but take care not to cook too long or they will become bitter.

I have seen this recipe made with either condensed milk or evaporated milk. I went with condensed milk since that is how it was served in the restaurant. If you use evaporated milk, add granulated sugar to taste.

The amount of spices and milk can be adjusted based on personal preference.

If you want an extra boost of spice, top the strained tea with a small pinch of cinnamon or freshly ground cardamom.

Notable Ingredients

Green Cardamom (Elettaria, Elaichi) originated in India and is a highly aromatic, warm citrus-like spice similar to ginger and cinnamon.

Most of the flavor is in the seeds encased by the green pods. You can buy cardamom whole or ground, but the seeds quickly lose their flavor once the pods are cut.

I have been able to find green cardamom at larger grocery stores, World Market, and other specialty spice stores/markets featuring Middle Eastern and South Asian ingredients. It is also available on Amazon: Spicy World Whole Green Cardamom Pods.

Looking for more tea recipes?

Try my:

  • Teh Tarik (Malaysian Pulled Tea)
  • Sudanese Cinnamon Tea
  • Chai ya Tangawizi (Kenyan Ginger Tea)
Close up of Shai Adeni (Adeni Tea) in a cup with more cups and teapot in the background.

Shai Adeni (Adeni Tea) Recipe

Adapted from Sheba Yemeni Food

Shai Adeni (Adeni Tea) in two cups next to cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.
Print Pin
5 from 5 votes

Shai Adeni (Adeni Tea)

A recipe for Shai Adeni (Adeni Tea)! This Yemeni tea from the coastal city of Aden is flavored with warming spices and sweetened condensed milk.
Course Drinks
Cuisine Yemeni
Keyword beverage, drink, sweetened condensed milk, tea, Yemen, Yemeni
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 3 -4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (710 milliliters) water
  • 8 green cardamom pods lightly crushed
  • 4 cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons (6 grams) black tea leaves
  • 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) sweetened condensed milk
  • Granulated sugar if desired for sweetness

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, add the water, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  • Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat and cook until fragrant, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the tea leaves and continue to simmer for another 2-4 minutes to desired strength.
  • Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and simmer until heated through, about 2 minutes.
  • Adjust seasonings to taste, adding a little sugar for more sweetness if desired. Strain and serve hot.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Beverages, Middle Eastern/African

Previous Post: « S’mores Bars and America The Great Cookbook
Next Post: Springtime Pasta Salad »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nichole

    12 January, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    I made this tea tonight and all I have to say is YUM! We do not consume dairy or refined sugar BUT I used my homemade almond milk we use as coffee creamer (it’s thicker) and 1 pkt of stevia. It was still delicious! So much flavor and the house smells divine. The husband is very picky and asked for more so you know we’ve found a winner. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Tara

      12 January, 2019 at 8:08 pm

      Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. Bob Hurst

    31 January, 2022 at 6:36 am

    When I was in South Yemen (South Arabia at that time) in 1967, I got to sample this type of tea. I will never forget its taste. I think it is the best tea that I have ever had.

    Reply
  3. Gloria

    26 January, 2023 at 9:14 am

    5 stars
    This sounds wonderful. Love the spices. Hubby loves condensed milk, so I am sure this will be a hit with him.

    Reply
  4. Toni

    26 January, 2023 at 9:50 am

    5 stars
    I love this!! So refreshing and really tasty! I can’t wait to make it!

    Reply
  5. Mimi

    26 January, 2023 at 10:36 am

    5 stars
    I have never tried this tea, but I am sold on the presentation alone. Loved the fact that it has cardamom pods and condensed milk. Looking forward to trying it.

    Reply
  6. Quynh

    26 January, 2023 at 11:44 am

    5 stars
    Yum! I love all the spices in this tea, and I love sweetened condensed milk.

    Reply
  7. Kathleen

    26 January, 2023 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    This tea sounds marvelous! I am looking forward to trying it.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Me

tarasmctable (1 of 1)

Hello and welcome to Tara's Multicultural Table! Check out the index to find recipes from around the world and learn more about me here.

Subscribe to Tara's Multicultural Table via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,154 other subscribers
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

Amazon

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program and earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Tara's Multicultural Table via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,154 other subscribers

Featured Recipes:

Seven Unicorn Cupcakes on a white pedestal.
Loco Moco Pizza on a round wooden board.
Prosciutto Toast on a rectangular white plate with a balsamic glaze.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Tara's Multicultural Table on the Foodie Pro Theme