Smoked charcoal tea: what is it and what is the best way to prepare it?

12 May 2025
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شاي جمر

Jamr tea! Yes, that's its famous name and nickname in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region in general. It's a unique and different tea in every way: its preparation method, flavor, taste, and texture. Lovers of strong tea and those who enjoy the distinctive smoky aroma adore it, but that's not all there is to it. With Thana, the best tea and coffee shop, we'll provide you with new details and information you never knew about Jamr tea. Keep reading.


What is charcoal tea or firewood flavored tea?

Ember tea is one of the purest forms of tea preparation and the most closely associated with Arab authenticity and heritage. It is prepared by placing the teapot directly on burning embers, rather than using gas or electricity.

This method gives the tea a special flavor, one that carries a hint of fire and smoke. This tea is not only different in taste, but even the ritual of preparing it is different, as we mentioned. It begins with gathering firewood and lighting a fire, then watching the teapot in the middle of a Bedouin session characterized by calm and warmth.

 


The difference between Jamr tea and regular tea

There is certainly a clear difference between Jamr tea and regular tea, including flavor, taste, and preparation method. However, the biggest difference between them lies in their benefits. Here are the details of this difference:


Benefits of regular tea

Here we will mention the most important benefits you get when drinking a cup of regular tea:

  • It helps protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals, thanks to its polyphenol content, such as catechins, which are among the most powerful antioxidants.
  • Supports heart health through flavonoids, which help reduce risk factors such as high LDL cholesterol, high blood sugar, and triglycerides.
  • It improves digestive health, as it has antibacterial properties and helps promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, which reduces the risk of intestinal infections.
  • Regular tea lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Studies have shown that regular tea has a positive effect on blood pressure stability, although more research is needed.
  • It helps regulate blood sugar levels, as it enhances insulin activity and improves sugar metabolism.
  • Regular tea also reduces the risk of cancer, thanks to its anti-cancer properties, according to some preliminary studies.
  • It supports brain function, due to the presence of caffeine, which enhances attention, improves concentration, and helps elevate mood and increase mental alertness.


Benefits of Jamr tea

Did you know that charcoal tea has benefits just like regular tea? They are as follows:

  • Relieves stress: Tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which has a calming effect by interacting with receptors in the brain, but its effectiveness when brewed over wood still needs further research.
  • Enhancing cognitive abilities: L-theanine may help improve concentration, memory, and learning ability, especially when combined with caffeine, although its effect through firewood tea has not been adequately studied.
  • Stimulating metabolism and supporting weight loss: Firewood tea is believed to increase fat burning due to its content of catechins, a powerful antioxidant. However, there are no studies confirming the effectiveness of these compounds when smoking tea.
  • Potential alternative to tobacco: Some people use it as an aid to quit smoking, but research has not yet proven it to be safer or more effective than cigarettes.
  • Quick energy boost from caffeine: Brewing it over wood may lead to faster absorption of caffeine, which increases energy and alertness. However, in some cases, it may cause symptoms such as nausea or anxiety if the dose is too high.


You can learn more about what smoked tea is , what it tastes like, and what its benefits and harms are.



Making charcoal tea the traditional way

If you're adventurous and want to try making charcoal tea over really hot coals, here's how:

  • Choose loose leaf tea for a stronger, more pronounced flavor.
  • Use pure, unchlorinated water, preferably well or mineral water.
  • Light the coals and leave them until they are hot and steady.
  • Put the amount of water in a metal kettle and let it boil over the embers.
  • Add sugar to the teapot to taste.
  • When the water boils, pour it over the sugar inside the kettle and return it to the embers.
  • Let it boil again until the sugar is completely mixed.
  • Remove the pot from the embers, then add the tea leaves.
  • Place the teapot near the embers without boiling, and let the tea steep for a few minutes.
  • Now serve the tea in suitable cups and enjoy the rich smoky flavor.





The best types of Jamr tea from Thana Store

Anyone who has tasted Thana's ember tea knows exactly what balance and honesty mean in flavor. The aroma of firewood is evident from the first boil, and the leaves are carefully selected to provide a tea that is heavy in taste and calm in effect, with no bitterness or lightness that would rob it of its spirit.

This tea is perfect for quiet gatherings, especially Saudi Bedouin gatherings that bring together loved ones and friends. However, remember that not all tea can be called Jamr tea, but Thana tea is the best Saudi tea and deserves this name because it combines the quality of the leaves, the authenticity of its preparation, and the flavor that is familiar to those accustomed to drinking tea in its original form.


Thana Jamr Tea Capsules

If you're a fan of charcoal tea, but don't have enough time to prepare it the traditional way, then Thana's charcoal tea capsules are exactly what you need. They're easy and quick to prepare, without losing any of the authentic wood flavor or the strong aroma of the tea. The most important features of these quick-to-prepare capsules are:

  • In just seconds you can have a cup of charcoal tea without the need for coal, a kettle or firewood.
  • The same authentic ember flavor that distinguishes firewood tea, carefully preserved inside the capsule.
  • Practical and portable size, can be used at work or travel easily.
  • Consistent quality every time you taste the tea, with no change in taste or strength.

Order now Jamr tea capsules from Thana, and embark on a new and unusual tasting experience that will take you back to the desert.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is ember tea?

It is a tea prepared primarily over a low flame using embers. It has a strong, smoky flavor and is considered a beloved traditional ritual in Saudi Arabian gatherings.


How to make tea on coals?

Place a quantity of water in a metal kettle over hot coals until it boils. Then, add tea leaves and sugar to taste. Leave it on the coals to boil again, then remove it and let it brew gently before serving. Some people prefer to add mint or aromatic herbs.


What is the price of Jamr tea?

The price varies depending on the type, quality, and brand, but at Thana, the price ranges between approximately 25 and 40 Saudi riyals. Packages are available in various weights, suitable for everyday use or for special occasions.