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Herbal anise tea brewed from whole anise seeds — sweet, licorice-scented, warming, and drunk throughout the Lebanese south after meals. The simplest and most elemental of Lebanese herbal drinks.
Also known as yansoon · yansoun
⏱ 10 min🍽 2 servings📍 South Lebanon
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The story
Yansoon is the after-dinner drink of southern Lebanon and the Lebanese mountain villages — the warm, fragrant herbal tea that Lebanese mothers have made for their families for generations. It occupies the same role in Lebanese domestic culture that chamomile does in Europe: not glamorous, not complicated, but deeply familiar, quietly comforting, and passed from mother to daughter without ceremony. In Nabatieh, Tyre, and the Bekaa villages, no home is without anise seeds in the spice drawer. Lebanese in the diaspora pack it in their luggage and find it in Arab grocery stores the world over. It requires nothing but water and seeds, and it is unchanged from what was drunk in this region for two thousand years.
Frequently asked questions
What is Yansoon Tea?
Herbal anise tea brewed from whole anise seeds — sweet, licorice-scented, warming, and drunk throughout the Lebanese south after meals. The simplest and most elemental of Lebanese herbal drinks.
Where is Yansoon Tea from?
Yansoon Tea comes from South Lebanon. Sofra documents this recipe as part of its 214-recipe Lebanese and Syrian heritage collection, including 49 dishes from Idlib province.
Is Yansoon Tea vegetarian?
As written, Yansoon Tea contains no meat or fish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. It does include dairy or other animal-derived ingredients, so it is not vegan. Check the full ingredient list against your own dietary needs.
What can I use instead of whole anise seeds in Yansoon Tea?
The whole anise seeds called for here is part of the traditional recipe and gives Yansoon Tea its traditional character, so keep it if you can. If you must substitute, choose the closest equivalent you have on hand and adjust to taste — the dish will shift slightly from the traditional version but still work. The Sofra app lists the full ingredient set and sourcing notes.
What do I serve with Yansoon Tea?
In a Levantine drinks spread, Yansoon Tea is served as a refreshment on its own, warm or chilled as the recipe directs.
Can I make Yansoon Tea ahead, and how do I store leftovers?
This can be made ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator. Stir or shake before serving, and adjust sweetness or dilution to taste.
Hear every step read aloud
Step-by-step audio narration (text-to-speech) guides you hands-free. Charbel Rouhana's original oud plays during Cooking Mode.
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