How to Brew Tea

Hot Tea:
Brewing tea is very simple, nothing magical here. Made in much the same way as china tea, but never reaching the deep color, no matter how long you brew it. Herb tea is a light green or yellow color and looks quite weak compared to china or black tea. Bring cold water to a boil. Measure fresh or dried herbs into a teapot (not metal). Use 1 teaspoon of dried or 2-3 fresh herbs, per cup of tea. Pour boiling water over the herbs, cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain into cup, sweeten if desired, drink and enjoy!

Iced Tea:
For the perfect glass of iced tea on a hot summer day, fill a regular paper coffee filter with the herb of choice, then tie it up to keep them inside. Place this little "teabag" in a jar with a lid ... I use a gallon jar filled half full. Pour enough water over the teabag to fill the jar. Place in the sun for 3-4 hours if it's sunny and hot, or all day if it's a mild day. Pour over ice and serve with a sprig of fresh herb such as mint or a beautiful flower from your garden, drink and enjoy!

Herb Waters:
Herb water is great for a boost when you're working in the yard or just for relaxing in the shade. Bruise the fresh herb of choice ... usually a lemony or minty one, put it in the bottom of your glass or thermos, add cold water and sip. It's a wonderful refresher!

Just about any herb can be used to make tea. You can experiment with adding different ones together until you come up with a recipe all your own. There is no rule for what kinds of herbs must be with others, but some of them do enhance the flavor of a specific partner. If you have an herb garden, no doubt you've found a favorite blend to enjoy. If you don't have a garden or access to an herb shop, you can use any herb you already have in your kitchen for cooking. Below is a list of the herbs and their uses.

Herbs Used for Tea

Alfalfa Chock full of nutrients. Helps the digestive tract. Blends well with other herbs. Angelica Light, sweet licorice taste. Aids digestion. Not to be used daily Anise Mild licorice flavor, soothing to an upset stomach. Use the leaves or seeds. Bergamot Sometimes called Oswego tea. Has a citrus-like flavor. Berry Leaves Blueberry, blackberry and raspberry leaves add subtle flavor of the berry to tea. Soothing. Blessed Thistle Said to aid liver functioning. Used for menstrual cramps. Caraway Feels warm in the stomach and has been used to soothe colicky babies. Catnip or CatmintSoothing to humans, but makes cats "crazy". High in Vitamin C. Good for colicky babies. Before meals, stimulates appetite, after meals, aids in digestion. Chamomile Soothing. Has an apple-like scent when fresh. Drink before bedtime. Costmary Minty flavor, but becomes bitter if steeped too long. Cumin Has a calming effect. Fennel Warms the stomach, another which has long been used for colicky babies, or just before bedtime.

Geranium - scented Used for it's flavor, but can be very bold. Horehound Tastes like menthol, used to treat sore throat. This is best added to other blends ... as my children say ... "YUCK!!" Lemon Balm Lemony and minty flavor. Excellent for herb water. Lemon Verbena Makes a rich lemony tea. Use leaves in black tea instead of lemon slices. Blends well with spearmint. Lovage Tastes like celery. MintMany flavors. Blends well with other herbs. Calming, used for digestion and freshing the breath. Mullein Mild, use the flowers only. Helps clear the lungs and is good for colds, bronchitis, asthma and allergies. Parsley Light and refreshing, full of vitamin C. Red Clover Sweet tasting. Calming and soothing before bedtime. Rosemary (my favorite!) Good for headaches and colds. Salad Burnett Cucumber flavor. Another excellent choice for herb water. Sweet Cicely Licorice flavored. Used to aid digestion. Thyme Aromatic with a subtle taste. Said to be good for treating a hangover.

There are many other herbs used for tea, these are just a few!

Once you have brewed a cup of tea from an herb, make note of what it tastes like. Then you're ready to start blending. The combinations are a matter of taste to each individual. Try adding 3 or 4 together, until you get a combination that you really like. Following are pages of my recipes, Enjoy!

Herbal Tea

Herbal and Black Tea Combinations