Shaah Cadeys

Name: Shaah Cadeys
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Djiboutian
Ingredients: 5cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced; 1 cinnamon stick; 3 tbsp sugar or honey; 750ml water; Juice of 1 lemon; 4 whole cloves

Shaah Cadeys (SHAH ka-DAYS)

Djiboutian Ginger Tea

⏱ Prep Time 15 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

A warming, caffeine-free tea made from fresh ginger root simmered with cinnamon, sugar, and a squeeze of lemon. This soothing drink is served as a digestive after meals and as a remedy for colds.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 0.5g

Carbs 15.0g

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

small saucepan grater strainer tea cups sharp knife

Presentation Guide

Vessel: small glass cups

Garnishes: lemon slice, cinnamon stick

Accompaniments: honey on the side

Ingredients

5cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
1 cinnamon stick
3 tbsp sugar or honey
750ml water
Juice of 1 lemon
4 whole cloves

Instructions

1
Peel the ginger and slice it into thin rounds or crush it lightly with the flat side of a knife to release maximum flavor.
2
Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the ginger slices, cinnamon stick, and cloves.
3
Reduce heat and simmer for ten minutes until the water turns golden and the ginger aroma fills the kitchen.
4
Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Squeeze in the lemon juice and stir to combine.
5
Strain into tea cups and serve hot. The tea can also be chilled and served over ice in hot weather.

💡

Did You Know?

Djiboutian grandmothers swear by shaah cadeys as a cure for everything from stomach aches to the common cold, and scientific research has validated many of ginger's medicinal properties.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

small saucepan
grater
strainer
tea cups
sharp knife

Garnishing

lemon slice, cinnamon stick

Accompaniments

honey on the side

The Story Behind Shaah Cadeys

Shaah cadeys belongs to the ancient tradition of herbal healing teas found across the Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula. Ginger, which arrived through Indian Ocean trade, quickly became valued not just as a culinary spice but as a powerful medicinal ingredient. In Djiboutian traditional medicine, ginger tea is prescribed for digestive complaints, respiratory issues, and general malaise. The addition of lemon and cinnamon enhances both the flavor and the health benefits, making this a tea that heals as it delights.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed after meals or when unwell 📜 Origins: Traditional herbal remedy

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