.Herbal teas

[Guest guest]

Good morning Vegetarian Friends

Thought you might enjoy this post from *GrannySam* who is a member of our

organic gardening group.

Make a rewarding day

Deanna in Colorado

also in recycled_gardens

and GardeningOrganically

******************************************************************

GardeningOrganically , " grannysam " <grannysam wrote:

 

Herbal Teas; Indulgent and Healthy

 

When we think of having tea most of us automatically think of old fashioned

black tea, hot or cold, sweetened with copious amounts of sugar. I invite you to

broaden your horizons, and to discover that the world of tea is limited only by

your imagination.

 

Many common herbs and plants we call weeds make excellent tea. We'll discuss

some of the more common plants used, along with new and different ways to

sweeten or season them to suit our taste buds.

 

Most of our culinary herbs make marvelous tasty teas. After all, we use these

herbs in cooking because of their wonderful flavors, so why not use them in

simpler ways as well? The usual herbs of the mint family, which include not only

the mints but also basil, oregano, thyme, and sage. Other herbs to use are

Parsley and rosemary. Try a tea made from one or more of these herbs. In

addition to being flavorful these herbs provide antiviral protection, open and

clear the sinuses, and aid in digestion. Sage tea is famous for helping to dry

excessive sweating associated with menopausal hot flashes. Try a hot basil or

rosemary tea with lamb for dinner. Peppermint and Spearmint can calm digestive

upsets or serve as an addition to dessert, served with cream alongside that

apple pie or pound cake. Chamomile is wonderfully sweet and calming, try using

both cultivated and wild varieties before bedtime for a better night's sleep.

 

Let's expand beyond the borders of our herb gardens. In a walk around your back

yard you may spot red or white clover. These flowers when brewed taste like they

have honey in them already. No wonder the bees like them. And the clovers are

high in anti-oxidants and vitamins your body needs. Gather elderberry flowers,

roses both wild and domesticated, blackberry blossoms and leaves, and even apple

and cherry blossoms and leaves. Use caution with cherry leaves, using only the

very fresh or completely dried for teas, as they contain a cyanide precursor

that can develop when leaves are bruised or wilted. Pick some Honeysuckle

blossoms and dry them for a cooling tea with a hint of vanilla. Try a few sprigs

of lavender fresh or dried for a mild calming tea. Gather Goldenrod, Bee Balm,

Wild Mountain Mint, and other favorite wildflowers in season for tasty teas and

dry them for winter use. Sassafras root makes a hearty tea, but does require a

bit of work. Dig roots in the spring, dry them, and remove the root peel. This

is the part that makes tea. Or just use very small roots whole. Also in spring,

try gathering some of the blossoms. They taste surprisingly citrusy, and make a

lovely light flavored tea.

 

Tea can be made from almost any berry as well. Try fresh raspberry tea,

blueberry, blackberry, apple, crab apple, elderberry, or fox grapes. Tea from

dried berries works too. Dry lemon, lime, apple, and orange peels to make a

hearty tea; add cinnamon, cardamom, or other spices. Add a few slices of fresh

ginger to any tea or plain hot water for a tea that will warm the coldest

fingers and toes in winter.

 

Season teas with sugar, molasses, honey (especially honey infused with flower

blossoms), naturally sweet herbs like red clover or honeysuckle, and even salt.

The only limits to enjoying a wide range of teas are the limits you impose upon

yourself.

 

So, how do we make these teas? They don't come in tea bags! We tend to spend a

great deal of money on tiny amounts of the same flowers and herbs we have

growing all around us because we think we need tea bags. Just price a box of

peppermint tea for instance. Your own peppermint growing by your doorstep is far

superior to any dried out powdery substance you can buy in a store. Dry your own

herbs and escape from tea bags. You'll find the flavors fresher, stronger, and

more satisfying since you harvested and dried these herbs and flowers yourself,

and put that saved money toward a fancy new tea pot for your indulgences.

 

I like the mild flavor of green tea and I like to make my herb teas with a

teaspoon of loose green tea as a base, and build on the flavors from there.

Green and white teas aren't strong enough to mask other flavors.

 

I use a regular teapot. Boil water, toss a few flowers or herbs of your choice

into it, and pour boiling water over it. Let steep five to fifteen minutes.

Experiment. As a general rule, flowers need less steep time than leaves, and

herbs with a lot of volatile oils, like our garden herbs, need less than say

dried lemon peel. If you're not a fan of bits of leaf and bark in your cup try

pouring the tea through the type of strainer found in every kitchen. I

personally dislike tea balls, as they tend to restrict the brewing process, but

there are several newer type balls available that don't. For those who just need

tea bags, you can purchase prefabricated tea bags and fill them yourself.

 

If you like combinations such as those found in brands like Celestial

SeasoningsT, just peruse a box of your favorite variety next time you're at the

store and come home and make your own version. You might even create something

you like better. Try serving your guests a pot of your favorite concoction the

next time they visit. Make up small gift baskets of bags or jars of teas and

give to friends and family. Add a pretty cup, and maybe a jar of honey that you

infused with rose petals or mint from your garden and watch them smile.

[Guest guest]

thanks a lot sweety ; so nice of you .

[Guest guest]

I drink a lot of tea Deanna, this was some good info you sent us.

Thanks

Brad