Shaah Haleeb

Name: Shaah Haleeb
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Djiboutian
Ingredients: 4 tsp loose black tea leaves; 500ml whole milk; 250ml water; 4 cardamom pods, crushed; 1 small cinnamon stick; 4 tbsp sugar; 2 whole cloves

Shaah Haleeb (SHAH ha-LEEB)

Djiboutian Spiced Milk Tea

⏱ Prep Time 15 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 120 kcal

A rich, sweet tea brewed with loose black tea leaves, milk, cardamom, and cinnamon, simmered until deeply aromatic. This beloved drink is served throughout the day and forms the backbone of Djiboutian hospitality.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 3.0g

Carbs 18.0g

Fat 4.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

small saucepan strainer tea cups teaspoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: small glass cups

Garnishes: cinnamon stick

Accompaniments: sugar cubes, biscuits

Ingredients

4 tsp loose black tea leaves
500ml whole milk
250ml water
4 cardamom pods, crushed
1 small cinnamon stick
4 tbsp sugar
2 whole cloves

Instructions

1
Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the loose tea leaves and let them steep for two minutes over medium heat.
2
Add the crushed cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and cloves to the tea. Simmer for one minute to release the spice aromas.
3
Pour in the milk and add the sugar. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, watching carefully to prevent it from boiling over.
4
Reduce heat and simmer for three minutes, allowing the tea to develop a rich caramel color and the spices to infuse fully into the milky liquid.
5
Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer into cups. Serve immediately, piping hot, with extra sugar on the side if desired.

💡

Did You Know?

In Djibouti, refusing a cup of shaah haleeb offered by a host is considered deeply impolite, and the tea is often poured from a height to create a frothy top.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

small saucepan
strainer
tea cups
teaspoon

Garnishing

cinnamon stick

Accompaniments

sugar cubes, biscuits

The Story Behind Shaah Haleeb

Shaah haleeb is the lifeblood of Djiboutian social culture, served at every gathering from casual afternoon visits to formal celebrations. The drink reflects the convergence of cultural influences in Djibouti: British and Indian tea culture arrived through colonial trade, while the spice blend of cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves echoes the ancient aromatics trade of the Red Sea coast. Tea preparation is an art form in Djibouti, with each household having its preferred ratio of milk to water and its own spice blend.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed all day, especially morning and afternoon 📜 Origins: Colonial-era British-Indian tea culture fusion

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!