Bitter kola tea is the easiest way to use bitter kola powder: stir it into hot water, let it sit, and sip. No grating, no cracking, no waiting. Here is how to make it, how to make it taste the way you like, and a cold version for warm days.
What is bitter kola tea?
Bitter kola tea is a warm drink made with ground bitter kola, the nut of the Garcinia kola tree. You may know the nut as orogbo. Instead of chewing the whole nut, you stir the powder into a cup of hot water.
Jeb Foods bitter kola powder is one ingredient: 100 percent ground bitter kola nuts, nothing added. It is prepared using our proprietary method.
How to make bitter kola tea
- Heat the water. Bring a cup of water (about 8 oz) to the boil, then let it stand for a minute.
- Add the powder. Start with half a teaspoon of bitter kola powder. The pouch suggests up to 1 teaspoon in a glass of water, so you can work up to that.
- Stir and wait. Stir well, let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes, then stir again.
- Strain if you like. The powder settles at the bottom. Drink it as it is, or pour it through a fine strainer or a coffee filter for a smoother cup.
Start small and taste before you add more. Bitter kola is assertive.
What does bitter kola tea taste like?
Sharply bitter at first, with a sweetness that comes up behind it. Some people compare the aftertaste to liquorice. If you are new to it, half a teaspoon is plenty.
Ways to make it your own
- Honey. A spoon of honey softens the bitter edge.
- Ginger. Steep a slice of fresh ginger in the cup with the powder.
- Lemon. A squeeze of lemon brightens it.
- Cold. Make it as above, let it cool, and pour it over ice.
- Juice or smoothie. The pouch also suggests stirring 1 teaspoon into juice or a smoothie instead of water.
Bitter kola powder or the whole nut?
For a drink, the powder wins. Whole bitter kola nuts are hard and need a knife or a grater. The powder is ready to use, easy to measure and stirs straight in.
If you want whole nuts to chew, or to serve guests, see Bitter Kola Nut, 0.5 lb. Bitter kola is served to guests whole and unpeeled, and each person peels their own. Read how to eat bitter kola.
More ways to use bitter kola powder
As printed on the pouch:
- Drinks. Mix 1 teaspoon into a glass of water, juice or a smoothie.
- Cooking. Add half to 1 teaspoon to soups, stews or sauces.
- Baking. Add it to bread or muffins for a bitter note.
For recipes, read bitter kola uses: how to cook with bitter kola powder.
Storing bitter kola powder
Store the pouch in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and reseal it after each use. Ground spice loses its edge faster than whole, so buy the size you will use.
Questions people ask
How much bitter kola powder should I use for tea? Start with half a teaspoon per cup and taste. You can work up to 1 teaspoon.
Can I drink it cold? Yes. Let it cool and serve it over ice, or stir the powder into juice or a smoothie.
Is garcinia kola powder the same thing? Yes. Garcinia kola is the name of the tree. Bitter kola powder is the ground nut.
Is it safe for everyone? If you are pregnant, nursing or take medication, check with your doctor first. We do not make health claims about bitter kola.
Where to buy bitter kola powder
Jeb Foods Bitter Kola Powder, 4 oz comes in a resealable pouch and ships across the US from New Jersey. Use it often? The Subscribe and Save pouch arrives every 30 days at 10 percent off.
Part of the profit funds our nonprofit organization, Save All Africa Kids (saak.org).