Herbal Tea is the whole reason I began growing herbs back in the late 1980s. At that time herbal tea was not available in stores and if you wanted Green tea you had to go to an oriental restaurant. I was tired of single herb teas like chamomile and peppermint, so I began to grow my own herbs for tea.
Culinary herbs like rosemary, sage, lavender, thyme and lemon balm not only liven up a garden though scent and texture they can also add amazing flavor to herbal tea. Herb teas are refreshing and especially good in the summer months as ice tea. In addition to herbs you can add rose hips, leaves of fruit bushes, like raspberry, blackberry, strawberry and blueberry for a tasty treat. Flower petals, like hibiscus, add a tangy zip.
The other nice aspect of tea herbs is they have a variety of colors and textures and especially scents that lend themselves to any garden situation. Tea herbs work well in a mixed border or bed and if your space is limited you can grow most in pots and other containers.
Now for a theme bed of their own, tea herbs are...
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garden planning, gardening, herbal tea, herbs, lemon balm, mint, tea
Posted at: 08:20 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
You can make iced or hot tea with any combination of herbs. For 20 years I have been making herbal teas with rich flavors that keep you from noticing you are avoiding caffeine at the same time. Herbs are crisp and fresh in flavor when made into tea with a refreshing added benefit of many anti-oxidant properties as well. Here are a couple recipes to try. The second one uses green tea. I just saw on the news that Green Teas anti-oxidant properties are being touted again, so take this opportunity to see how flavorful it is as well and enjoy both benefits. ( Remember Green tea does have caffeine.)
Iced Mint Tea
4 or 5 tea bags
8 to 10 fresh apple mint or spearmint leaves (6-8 dried)
1 1/2 - 2 cups of sugar
Boiling water Pour boiling water over (about 2 quarts) the tea bags and mint leaves with sugar and steep 10 minutes. Then strain and add to a large pitcher 4 quarts that is half full of cold water. Press any extra goodness from tea bags and leaves and add to pitcher. Add ice and serve....
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Tags:
green tea, herbal tea, herbs, iced tea
Posted at: 08:26 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
