Herbs have so many uses and are a great place to start for the novice gardener. They also add variety, color, and wonderful aromas to the garden. If you make store bought herbal teas then you should really treat yourself to some homemade tea with fresh or dried herbs. Now buying fresh or dried herbs can be expensive, but if you have even one sunny window then you can grow your own herbs for tea, cooking and potpourri.
How to Make Homemade Tea
If you plan to regularly make tea with an herb that you're growing, it is best to have two plants growing at the same time as removing too many leaves is hard on the plant and may cause it to die.
To make herbal tea, gently snip off some leaves, blossoms, flowers or pods then simply tear, bruise, or crush and mix with boiling water in a ceramic, enamel or stainless-steel teapot. Allow to steep for three to five minutes or until the desired strength is reached. Strain the tea through a strainer and add a little honey for added sweetener.
I use a glass pot with a built in infuser so get the added benefit of enjoying the color as well as the aroma with no messy strainer. I also use special scissor-like choppers for cutting up herbs that make easy work of preparing herbs for use.
Mint Tea is a favorite among tea drinkers because mint is easy to grow and, when made into tea, is fresh, light and delicious.
Mint plants are very hardy and will grow profusely if not reigned in. Plant your mint in partial sun and be sure it gets lots of water in the hot summer months.
There are interesting types of mint plants available at nurseries-spearmint, peppermint, chocolate mint, apple mint, pineapple mint, lemon mint and orange mint-each with its own aroma and flavor.
To make mint tea, use the leaves (no stems) and tear them or bruise them slightly to release the oils. Place the torn leaves into a pot of boiling water and allow to steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain and enjoy.
Chamomile Tea is the most relaxing and soothing of all herbal teas, chamomile tea is another easy tea to make at home. Chamomile tea is made from the chamomile plant blossoms-the tiny yellow and white flowers-rather than the leaves.
Chamomile plants like sandy soil, lots of sun and plenty of water during the hot summer months.
To make homemade chamomile tea, cut or tear the chamomile blossoms. Place 1 tablespoon of fresh chamomile blossoms for each individual cup of water into a teapot. Pour in boiling water and allow to infuse for 5 minutes. Strain and enjoy.
Rose Hip Tea is known for its rosy pink color, citrus-like flavor and health benefits, mostly from the high amount of vitamin C is contains.
Rose hip tea is made from the hips-the tiny seed pods that form at the base of the blooms of the rose plant.
When making rose hip tea, cut the hips in half to release the contents. Pour boiling water over rose hips and allow to steep then strain into cups.
Ginger Tea is known for its medicinal qualities. A hot cup of ginger tea can help alleviate cold and flu symptoms.
To make two mugs of ginger tea, combine 1⁄2 cup coarsely chopped fresh ginger root with 3 cups water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain, add honey and enjoy.
Lemon Balm is related to the mint family, but has a pleasant lemony flavor. Lemon balm plants grow best in somewhat dry soil and partial shade.
Making lemon balm tea is just like making mint tea. Tear or bruise the lemon balm leaves and pour boiling water over them. Allow to steep for 3 to 5 minutes before straining into cups.
Mixing Herbs for Tea
Try mixing together some of your favorite herbs to make tea. Combine 1 teaspoon mint, 1 teaspoon chamomile, 1 teaspoon rose hips and a touch of fresh ginger. Pour boiling water over the mix, steep and strain.
If you enjoy a citrus spiced tea, mix rose petals, orange rind, ginger and lemon balm leaves in amounts to taste.
Storing Herbs for Tea Making
You can harvest your herbs in larger amounts and store them in various forms for future tea making.
To make an herbal concentrate, mash herb leaves, pour boiling water over them and allow them to steep for several days. Pour the concentrate through a strainer and freeze it in ice cube trays. To make tea with an herbal concentrate, place a frozen herbal concentrate cube in a cup and add boiling water. Two cubes makes a stronger cup of tea. These herbal ice cubes also can be added to iced tea and lemonade for an infusion of herbal flavour.
To dry herbs for tea making, cut stalks while they are young and hang them upside down in a cool, dry, dark place. When the herbs get dry, crumble them with your hands and store in airtight bags. To make tea from dried herbs, combine 1 tablespoon of dried herbs with a cup of boiling water. Allow to steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain and enjoy.
Hibiscus tea is not only tasty, it’s also good for you. Studies have shown it can help lower high blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels. You can enjoy it cool in summer or sip it hot in winter.
You will need
•Heatproof glasses or mugs (or, to make a larger quantity, use a teapot or jug),
•Red hibiscus flowers, organic and pesticide-free (one for each glass);
•Sugar;
•Lemon or lime juice;
•Boiling water;
•Ice
Remove the stamen from each flower. Remember to use hibiscus flowers that are free from pesticides (if you can't get hold of fresh hibiscus flowers, you can buy dried hibiscus tea in health-food stores.
Place one hibiscus flower in a glass or mug, then cover in boiling water. Allow to steep. Stir (the water will turn a blackish-purple as the colour comes out of the flower). Remove the flower. Add sugar, to taste, then stir to dissolve.
Squeeze the juice from a wedge of lemon or lime into the glass (watch how the colour turns an amazing bright pink!). Set aside, to cool. Add ice. Here, we've also decorated the stirrers with a hibiscus flower.
