They taste great, have no calories or caffeine,
Can be enjoyed hot or cold,
On cold, winter days or nights,
And on hot, summer days.
- Teas come in all sorts of blends. But it is fun to make our own herb tea blends.
- Experiment with the following blends, then let your imagination suggest others.
- Loose herbs are less expensive when buying in bulk or grow your own, which will add color and fragrant to your garden or kitchen.
- Most of these herbs are used in: cooking, bath water, cosmetic, medicinal, crafts, oils, vinegars, insect repellent, or flower arrangements.
- anise (licorice-flavored), chamomile, and bee balm also called Owego (American colonists choice while boycotting black English tea)
- betony (taste like black tea without the caffeine) and lavender flowers
- borage flowers (slightly laxative) with lemon verbena (pleasant fragrance) and lemon balm
- chamomile and spearmint or apple mint
- chamomile and valerian also called heliotrope (not given to children)
- lemon verbena, lemongrass, and lemon thyme (for those who like lemon tea!)
- scented geranium and chocolate mint
- scented geranium and lemongrass
- spearmint and peppermint
1 tsp. (5 ml) or so per cup of water
1-2 tsp. (5-10 ml) of herbs to flavor the pot
adjust the amount to taste
B. Fresh Herbs
2 Tbs. (30 ml) for every cup
1 or 2 Tbs. (15-30 ml) for the pot
C. Brewing
Use glass or ceramic teapot; metal or stainless steel pots change the flavor.
1. Start a kettle of water to boil.
2. Fill an empty pot with hot water and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Just before the water boils, pour out the heated water in the pot
4. Add freshly picked herbs to the pot. Bruise them with a wooden spoon to release the flavors. (Can use a tea container packed with the herbs.)
5. When the kettle of water just begins to boil, pour it into the teapot.
6. Cover and let stand about 5 minutes.
7. The longer the herbs remain in the water, the stronger it becomes.
D. Ice Tea
Let the potted tea cool or add ice. Add some herb leaves to the pitcher and/or glass for decoration and added flavor. That is it!
Lavender Flower Tea: http://veggiefernandezs.blogspot.com/2014/07/lavender-flower-tea.html
See: Nutritional Information "Edible Flowers" http://veggiefernandezs.blogspot.com/p/getting-to-know-your-vitamins.html
A sip of history:
Tea was first discovered in China about 2700 BCE.
It is the most popular beverage in the world, and
One of the healthiest.
It is drank for medicinal qualities,
Religious offerings, socializing,
Staying awake, and meditation.
First drank by the Chinese royalty and the rich,
Then among lower classes.
It spread to Japan, arrived
In England during the 17th century, and
Exporting to America Colonies by the East India Company.
