Dried Jamaican Cerasee loose leaf tea from RastaMan Stew is one of the island's most familiar bush teas. It is made from organically dried cerasee leaf and vine, with nothing else in the pouch.

What Cerasee Is

Cerasee is the Jamaican name for the vine of Momordica charantia, the same plant that produces bitter melon. The tea is brewed from the leaves and tender vine rather than from the fruit.

It grows wild along fences and hillsides all over Jamaica. Households have picked it, dried it in the sun and brewed it for generations, which is why almost every Jamaican recognises the smell straight away.

At a Glance

• 100% dried Jamaican cerasee (Momordica charantia) leaf and vine
• Organically grown and sun-dried
• Bold, bitter, distinctly earthy flavour
• Naturally caffeine-free
• 2 oz loose leaf, no additives or preservatives
• Packed in small batches by RastaMan Stew

How to Brew Cerasee Tea

Use about one teaspoon of dried cerasee per 8 oz cup. Pour over boiling water and steep for five minutes, then strain.

Cerasee is genuinely bitter and the bitterness climbs quickly the longer it sits. If this is your first cup, start at three minutes and work up from there.

Taming the Bitterness

Most Jamaican households soften cerasee rather than fight it. Honey, condensed milk, a slice of fresh ginger or a strip of orange peel all take the edge off.

A squeeze of lime with a little cane sugar is the simplest version. Chilling the brewed tea also makes the bitterness read as refreshing rather than sharp.

Flavour Notes

Cerasee is assertively bitter up front with a green, grassy middle and a dry, clean finish.

It is closer to a strong dandelion infusion than to a fruit tea. People who enjoy bitter greens tend to take to it immediately.

Storage

Keep the pouch sealed in a cool, dry cupboard out of direct sunlight. Stored that way dried cerasee holds its aroma and character well past a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cerasee the same as bitter melon?

They come from the same plant, Momordica charantia. Bitter melon usually refers to the fruit, while cerasee tea is brewed from the dried leaves and vine.

Why is cerasee so bitter?

The bitterness is simply characteristic of the plant, and it is how Jamaicans know they have the real thing. A shorter steep and a sweetener both reduce it noticeably.

Does cerasee tea contain caffeine?

No. Cerasee is a herbal infusion and is naturally caffeine-free.

How many cups does a 2 oz pouch make?

At roughly one teaspoon per cup, a 2 oz pouch brews somewhere in the region of 25 to 30 cups depending on how strong you like it.

Can I drink cerasee cold?

Yes. Brew it, let it cool, then refrigerate and serve over ice with lime. Many people find the cold version far easier to drink.

About RastaMan Stew

RastaMan Stew brings Caribbean herbs, teas and spices straight from the island to your kitchen. Every pouch holds a single ingredient with nothing added.

This cerasee is sold as a food and beverage ingredient for brewing.