Wedang Uwuh (Indonesian "Garbage Tea")

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Author:

Sharon Flynn

Wedang Uwuh (Indonesian "Garbage Tea") The warming herbal tea we drank at every meal on our Tempeh course in Yogyakarta

Don't let the name fool you – this traditional Javanese drink is called "garbage tea" because the ingredients look like fallen leaves and sticks, not because of its taste. The vibrant red color comes from secang wood, and it's traditionally served hot even in sweltering weather. This is a traditional herbal tea from Yogyakarta with amazing health properties. Every warung we visited offered it, and we learned to love the ritual of hot, spiced tea with our meals. I think we actually craved the sugar in it too. You don't realise how much sugar is in wine until you don't drink it and you crave sugar, right?! So interesting.

Wedang Uwuh literally translates to "hot garbage drink" in Javanese - "Wedang" means hot drink and "Uwuh" means trash or garbage.

Wedang Uwuh (Indonesian "Garbage Tea") The warming herbal tea we drank at every meal

Ingredients

150g fresh ginger, roasted over flame then crushed
3-4 pieces sappan wood (secang wood) – or substitute with 2 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers for similar color and antioxidants
3 cinnamon sticks
8-10 whole cloves
2 stalks lemongrass, bruised
6 cardamom pods, cracked
150-200g palm sugar or rock sugar
1.5 litres water
Optional: nutmeg leaves, cinnamon leaves, clove leaves if available

Directions

Char the ginger over an open flame until fragrant, then crush it. Put all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes until the liquid turns deep red and aromatic. Strain and serve hot.
The drink is sweet, warming, and deeply spiced. Full of antioxidants and traditionally used to boost immunity and circulation. We drank it morning and night, and it became part of the rhythm of our days there.
Traditional sappan wood is available at The Fermentary - we source ours from Java

Written by Sharon Flynn

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