Herbal teas can be made from leaves, flowers, roots, bark, and other parts of plants. Unlike traditional teas such as black and green tea, herbal teas do not contain any caffeine. They are known for their health benefits and are often used to treat various ailments. Herbal tea blends can be made from various herbs and spices with different healing properties. In this post, we will discuss the benefits of herbal teas and provide some natural remedies you can make with them.
How to Select the Right Herbal Tea Ingredients
Herbal tea is a great way to enjoy the health benefits of herbs while having a tasty beverage. There are many different types of herbs that can be used in herbal teas, each with its own unique flavor and health benefits. It's important to select the right herbal tea ingredients for your recipes so that you can get the most out of them.
When gathering herbs, it is essential to maintain sustainability by taking only a third or less of the herb’s growth. This will allow the plant to regrow in abundance and ensure there is enough for future harvests.
To extend the life of your dry herbs, it is best to harvest them when they are in their peak condition. This will help preserve their natural oils and the healing benefits that come with them.
Leaves should be harvested from the plant before it blooms, while flowers should be gathered in the period between when the flower buds appear and when they are in full bloom.
Ways to Dry Herbal Tea Ingredients
Both fresh and dried parts of plants can be utilized to make teas. If you have a garden with medicinal plants, you can dry them using a dehydrator or hang them for 7-10 days. Additionally, roots or bark should be roasted in an oven set to 200 degrees in order to achieve full drying.
Lay Flat: To achieve the best results for drying herbs, it is best to spread them on a flat and dry surface such as paper, a clean towel, or a drying screen. Be sure to place them in thin layers as this will help speed up the time it takes for them to dry. For optimal storage, herbs should be placed in a dry and warm space that isn’t exposed to direct sunlight. Keep them away from dust, as well as any outdoor areas where there might be strong gusts of wind, otherwise, they could end up scattered everywhere.
Hang Dry: To ensure the best quality outcome, it is advised to bunch up the herbs with stems into small bundles and secure them together with an elastic. Place these in a warm, dry area and avoid direct sunlight & dust to maximize freshness. Additionally, make sure not to put too many herbs in a single bunch for easy handling.
Dehydrator: Using a food dehydrator is an effective way to dry herbs quickly, however, it is important to ensure that the heat setting remains low while doing so as this will avoid destroying any active medicinal properties in the tea.
The Best Blending Techniques for Making Perfect Herbal Teas
Tea drinkers can create unique and flavorful combinations by blending multiple herbs. It is recommended to mix a minimum of three herbs for an optimal mix of flavor and medicinal properties:
Base (3 parts) – performs the most important action for healing.
Support (1-2 parts) – assists and compliments the base herb, improves flavor or addresses a secondary medicinal goal.
Accent (1/4-1 part) – typically a stronger flavor added for balance and palatability, which can aid in supporting medicinal goals.
Herbal blends can be enriched with a variety of plant ingredients, including mushroom powder, and different types of tea leaves (green, white, black).
Creating Your Own Unique Tastes Through Different Herbal Tea Blends
Herbal teas are a great way to enjoy a delicious and healthy beverage. They have been used for centuries to promote wellness and relaxation, and they can also be used to create unique blends with your own custom tastes. By learning how to combine different herbs, you can create unique herbal tea recipes that will provide you with a unique experience every time. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can experiment with creating custom blends of herbal teas that will tantalize your taste buds.
Try herbal teas blended with natural herbs and spices to create a delicious and invigorating flavor.
This blend of peppermint and spearmint makes for a refreshing pot of tea and you can consume it cold.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon dried lemon balm
1 tablespoon dried spearmint
1 tablespoon dried rose hips
1 tablespoon dried elderflower (also goes great in liquor)
1 tablespoon dried lemon mint
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon grated lemongrass
3 cups boiling water
Combine ingredients in a quart jar, cover tightly, and steep for 15 to 30 minutes. Place tea in a mug, and garnish with a slice of lemon. Enjoy!