Census-Style Spiced Tea Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-31 · Updated 2026-03-31

A comforting one-pot soup infused with warming spices and brewed black tea, inspired by the 2020 Census data on cultural diversity. This global fusion-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes brings together black tea bags, vegetable broth, medium, diced carrots for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 black tea bags
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 medium, diced carrots
• 2 stalks, sliced celery
• 1 large, chopped onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 large onion, 2 stalks celery, and 2 medium carrots; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp cumin, and 1/2 tsp salt; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and 1 cup coconut milk; bring to a simmer. Add 4 black tea bags, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: Stir in remaining 2 stalks celery, 2 medium carrots, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
5. Step 5: Remove tea bags, puree the soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Adjust seasoning and serve hot.