TEA FROM YOUR OWN GARDEN? YES, PLEASE!
By Mary Kennedy
When a good friend moved, she gave me a wonderful assortment of herb teas and "gourmet" teas. I was familiar with many of them (chamomile, lemongrass, ginger, rosehip, jasmine and mint.) but I found some new favorites!
Since lavender, chamomile and mint are probably the most popular tea herbs, let's take a look at all three. Lavender is a lovely plant and you can even grow the plant in a pot.
Although if you have the room (and sunlight), this hardy English lavender makes a lovely border.
Chamomile grows very well outdoors and will be an attractive addition to your garden.
Mint (as you probably know) is a very aggressive plant. Plant a little and you get a lot. Way more than you need and it comes back year after year.
Mint is delicious in iced tea...
or in a mint julep...
Or you can brew your own mint tea.
Here are a few tips on brewing tea grown from garden herbs. *Use three times as much fresh herbs as dry.* Most herbal teas require boiling water, or just below the boiling point, for the best flavor.* Don't be afraid to experiment, combining various. Lemon verbena and mint makes a great tea* Don't go too far afield from the common herbs, because some herbs can affect medications. Always ask your doctor or nutritionist for advice.*You can make tea from fresh-cut herbs or air dried herbs. *Parsley makes a tasty tea and is best used fresh.
Hope this gives you a good starting point brewing tea from your garden. Bon appetit and let me know how you do! Mary Kennedy
When a good friend moved, she gave me a wonderful assortment of herb teas and "gourmet" teas. I was familiar with many of them (chamomile, lemongrass, ginger, rosehip, jasmine and mint.) but I found some new favorites!
Since lavender, chamomile and mint are probably the most popular tea herbs, let's take a look at all three. Lavender is a lovely plant and you can even grow the plant in a pot.
Although if you have the room (and sunlight), this hardy English lavender makes a lovely border.
Chamomile grows very well outdoors and will be an attractive addition to your garden.
Mint (as you probably know) is a very aggressive plant. Plant a little and you get a lot. Way more than you need and it comes back year after year.
Mint is delicious in iced tea...
or in a mint julep...
Or you can brew your own mint tea.
Here are a few tips on brewing tea grown from garden herbs. *Use three times as much fresh herbs as dry.* Most herbal teas require boiling water, or just below the boiling point, for the best flavor.* Don't be afraid to experiment, combining various. Lemon verbena and mint makes a great tea* Don't go too far afield from the common herbs, because some herbs can affect medications. Always ask your doctor or nutritionist for advice.*You can make tea from fresh-cut herbs or air dried herbs. *Parsley makes a tasty tea and is best used fresh.
Hope this gives you a good starting point brewing tea from your garden. Bon appetit and let me know how you do! Mary Kennedy
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