Clove Green Tea: Benefits, Recipe, Ingredients & How to Make It
Reviewed by Dr. Gaurang Ramesh
MBBS, MS, FSGE, Surgical Gastroenterologist and Integrative & Functional Medicine Practitioner
Arka Anugraha Hospital, JP Nagar, Bangalore
Clove green tea combines brewed green tea with whole cloves to create a warm, aromatic beverage. Green tea provides naturally occurring catechins and caffeine, while cloves contain aromatic compounds including eugenol.
But what are the actual benefits of clove green tea? What does scientific research tell us, how should you prepare it, and is it safe to drink regularly?
This guide explains what is known about green tea and cloves while separating established evidence from claims that still require more research.
Quick Answer: What Is Clove Green Tea?
Clove green tea is a beverage prepared by infusing whole cloves with green tea.
Green tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis and contains naturally occurring polyphenols called catechins, including EGCG. Cloves are the dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum and contain aromatic compounds such as eugenol.
Research has investigated green tea and its compounds for several potential health effects, including cardiovascular and metabolic health. However, research specifically examining clove green tea as a combined beverage is limited.
Therefore, clove green tea should be considered a flavorful beverage that may fit into a balanced diet, rather than a treatment for a medical condition.
What Is Clove Green Tea?
Clove green tea is a simple Indian tea preparation that combines green tea leaves with whole cloves. Green tea provides catechins and naturally occurring caffeine, while cloves contain eugenol and other plant compounds.
Green tea and cloves have different flavor profiles. Green tea is generally fresh and mildly vegetal, while cloves provide a stronger warm, sweet and spicy aroma.
Together, they create a distinctive tea that can be enjoyed hot without requiring large amounts of added sugar.
Clove Green Tea Ingredients
For one cup, you can use:
Ingredient | Amount |
Water | Approximately 250 ml |
Whole cloves | 3–5 cloves |
Green tea | 1 tea bag or suitable loose-leaf serving |
Lemon | Optional |
Ginger | Optional |
Honey | Optional, in a small amount |
The number of cloves can be adjusted according to taste. Because cloves have a strong flavor, using too many can make the tea harsh or overpower the green tea.
Clove Green Tea Benefits
1. Provides Plant-Based Polyphenols
Green tea naturally contains catechins, including EGCG. These compounds have antioxidant properties and have been studied extensively.
Cleveland Clinic describes green tea as a source of catechins and discusses research involving cardiovascular, metabolic and other health outcomes.
However, antioxidant activity observed in laboratory research does not automatically mean that drinking clove green tea will prevent or treat a disease.
2. Contains Eugenol From Cloves
Cloves contain eugenol, an aromatic plant compound that has been investigated in laboratory and experimental research.
Eugenol has demonstrated antioxidant and other biological activities in experimental settings.
However, the amount of eugenol obtained from a normal cup of clove green tea is different from the doses used in laboratory studies or concentrated clove preparations.
For this reason, it is more accurate to say that clove green tea contains eugenol rather than claiming that the beverage treats inflammation, infection or another medical condition.
3. May Support a Heart-Healthy Diet
Green tea has been investigated for cardiovascular health.
Cleveland Clinic discusses research linking green tea consumption with cholesterol and cardiovascular outcomes. NCCIH takes a more cautious position, noting that clinical trials have found small reductions in total and LDL cholesterol, while evidence for broader cardiovascular benefits is not definitive.
This means green tea may be a useful beverage within an overall heart-healthy lifestyle, but it should not replace prescribed cholesterol or blood-pressure treatment.
4. Contains Green Tea Catechins
Catechins are one of the major groups of polyphenols found in green tea.
EGCG is one of the most studied green tea catechins. Research has investigated catechins in relation to antioxidant activity, metabolism and cardiovascular health.
The evidence varies depending on the outcome being studied, and results from green tea extracts cannot automatically be applied to a normal cup of brewed tea.
5. May Be a Lower-Sugar Beverage Choice
Clove green tea can provide a strong, aromatic flavor without requiring much added sugar.
Choosing unsweetened or lightly sweetened tea can make it easier to avoid unnecessary added sugars compared with many sweetened beverages.
If you add honey or sugar, remember that these ingredients contribute additional calories and carbohydrates
What Does the Research Actually Say?
It is important to distinguish between three different levels of evidence:
- Research on individual compounds
Scientists have studied compounds such as EGCG and eugenol in laboratory and experimental settings.
- Research on green tea
Green tea has been studied in human research, including studies involving cholesterol, cardiovascular health, body weight and other outcomes.
- Research on clove green tea
There is much less direct human research examining the specific combination of green tea and cloves as a beverage.
This distinction matters.
A compound may demonstrate an interesting biological effect in a laboratory, but that does not prove that drinking a cup of tea containing that compound will produce the same clinical effect.
NCCIH notes that although many studies have investigated green tea and green tea extracts, definite conclusions cannot yet be reached for many of the health purposes for which green tea is promoted.
Clove Green Tea and Digestion
Clove-containing beverages have traditionally been consumed as digestive drinks.
Green tea has also been investigated in relation to digestive and gut-related outcomes.
However, there is not enough clinical evidence to say that clove green tea treats conditions such as gastritis, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers or other digestive disorders.
If you have persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool or ongoing digestive symptoms, a medical evaluation is more appropriate than relying on herbal beverages.
Does Clove Green Tea Contain Caffeine?
Yes.
If your clove green tea is made using traditional green tea from Camellia sinensis, it contains caffeine.
The exact amount varies depending on the tea variety, serving size and brewing method.
Mayo Clinic lists approximately 29 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce (237 ml) serving of brewed green tea, although the actual amount can vary.
People who are sensitive to caffeine may prefer to drink clove green tea earlier in the day.
How to Make Clove Green Tea
Step 1: Heat the Water
Heat approximately 250 ml of fresh drinking water.
Avoid using excessively hot water for the green tea itself, as very high temperatures can make green tea taste bitter.
Step 2: Infuse the Cloves
Add 3 – 5 whole cloves to the hot water.
Allow the cloves to infuse for approximately 5 minutes.
Step 3: Add the Green Tea
Turn off the heat.
Add one green tea bag or an appropriate serving of loose-leaf green tea.
Follow the preparation instructions supplied with your green tea.
Step 4: Strain and Serve
Remove the tea bag or strain the loose-leaf tea and cloves.
Serve warm.
You can add a small amount of lemon, ginger or honey according to your taste.
Clove Green Tea Recipe at a Glance
Step | What to Do |
1 | Heat approximately 250 ml water |
2 | Add 3–5 whole cloves |
3 | Infuse cloves for about 5 minutes |
4 | Add green tea |
5 | Steep according to the tea manufacturer’s instructions |
6 | Remove tea and strain cloves |
7 | Serve warm |
What Does Clove Green Tea Taste Like?
Clove green tea has a warm, spicy and aromatic flavor.
The green tea provides a fresh, slightly vegetal taste, while cloves add sweetness, warmth and spice.
If the flavor is too strong, reduce the number of cloves or shorten the infusion time.
Lemon can make the drink brighter, ginger can add additional warmth, and a small amount of honey can provide sweetness.
When Is the Best Time to Drink Clove Green Tea?
There is no scientifically established best time specifically for drinking clove green tea.
You can drink it according to your personal routine.
Because traditional green tea contains caffeine, people who are sensitive to caffeine may prefer to consume it earlier in the day rather than close to bedtime.
If you drink tea with meals, remember that tea polyphenols can reduce the absorption of non-heme iron. People with iron deficiency may want to discuss their tea-drinking habits with a healthcare professional.
How Much Clove Green Tea Can You Drink?
There is no scientifically established daily dose specifically for clove green tea.
The caffeine content of the green tea is one factor to consider.
Mayo Clinic states that up to 400 mg of caffeine per day appears safe for most healthy adults, although individual tolerance varies.
Your total daily caffeine intake includes caffeine from all sources, including coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate and some medications.
People who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding should discuss appropriate caffeine intake with their healthcare professional.
Is Clove Green Tea Safe?
For most healthy adults, a normal cup of brewed green tea is generally considered different from concentrated green tea extract supplements.
NCCIH reports that no safety concerns have been reported for green tea consumed as a beverage by adults, although it does contain caffeine.
Keep the following points in mind:
- Avoid clove green tea if you have a known allergy to cloves or another ingredient.
- Consider your individual caffeine tolerance.
- Do not confuse culinary cloves with concentrated clove oil or high-dose herbal supplements.
- People taking prescription medicines should discuss regular use of herbal products with a healthcare professional.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should discuss caffeine intake with their healthcare professional.
- Clove green tea should not replace prescribed medical treatment.
Clove Green Tea vs. Clove Tea
Feature | Clove Green Tea | Clove Tea |
Main ingredients | Green tea + cloves | Usually cloves + water |
Caffeine | Usually contains caffeine | Usually caffeine-free if made only with cloves |
Flavor | Fresh, vegetal, warm and spicy | Stronger warm and spicy flavor |
Main plant compounds | Green tea catechins + clove compounds | Mainly clove compounds |
Best suited for | People who enjoy green tea with clove flavor | People wanting a caffeine-free clove beverage |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Clove green tea contains catechins from green tea and compounds such as eugenol from cloves. These compounds have been investigated for various biological activities. However, evidence specifically showing that clove green tea treats a particular disease is limited.
Many healthy adults can include brewed tea as part of a normal diet. However, individual caffeine tolerance varies. People taking medication, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, and people with medical conditions should discuss regular consumption with their healthcare professional.
Clove beverages have traditionally been used as digestive drinks, but there is not enough clinical evidence to say that clove green tea treats digestive disorders.
Yes. Lemon and ginger can be added according to taste. They change the flavor of the beverage but are not required for the basic recipe.
Not necessarily. Clove green tea provides the compounds naturally found in green tea plus compounds from cloves, but there is not enough direct research to conclude that the combination is clinically superior to regular green tea.
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