Would you like to know how to make your own tea , obtaining the best medicinal benefits , and without having to go to the supermarket to buy? Well, don’t hesitate, in this article we will explain different ways to prepare your own tea.
From seeds, roots, flowers, leaves or fruits, the truth is that there are many plants from which you can make a delicious tea and drink it whenever you feel like it.
Index
- 1 leaf tea
- 2 seed tea
- 3 fruit tea
- 4 flower tea
- 5 Tea from the roots
leaf tea
The tea plant, Camellia sinensis
Camellias are shrubs or small trees native to Asia. They are very popular for their beautiful flowers, which appear in autumn and winter. One of the species, Camellia sinensis, is unusual in that it is the producer of all of the world’s commercial teas, including white, green and black tea.
Especially two varieties are used for this purpose: Camellia sinensis var. sinensis which can be found in China, and Camellia sinensis var. assamica native to Assam, India.
Cultivation : the Camellia will thrive in a climatic zone between 7 and 9, that is, it can tolerate frost, but not excessive heat. If kept in a pot, you may want to protect it from intense frost. To facilitate harvesting, it can be pruned to a height of three or four meters, or left to grow freely.
The flowers that appear in autumn must be harvested and dried, and later added to the leaves to improve the flavor of the tea.
How it is harvested: the first two leaves and the leaf bud must be harvested during the spring.
How to make tea: You heat the leaves before they dry out, steaming them for 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately afterwards, they are put into cold water. Next, the leaves are spread out, then all rolled up, and put in the oven at about 100 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. The heating process is finished when the leaves are completely dry and crisp. Store them in a hermetically sealed glass container.
To prepare the tea, six leaves are placed in a tea bag. Then it is introduced into a glass with water which has been previously boiled, and covered with a lid to let the tea rest for three minutes.
Medicinal benefits: Green tea has antibacterial, diuretic and stimulant properties. Additionally, it can help lower cholesterol and slow down the aging process.
seed tea
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Cilantro is a very popular aromatic herb that is used for salads, sauces, etc. It is a very fast growing annual plant that blooms in summer, giving rise to seeds. If you want to improve the tea, harvest its leaves too, but… hurry up! The leaf season is very short.
Cultivation : the cultivation of coriander from seeds is very simple. Get good seeds from the plants or buy directly from a garden store, and plant them with universal substrate in a large pot.
Or if you don’t want to wait, buy a plant at a nursery, or even at local markets.
How it is harvested: The harvest is carried out after two weeks of the appearance of the seeds. This is done so that they finish ripening and the leaves begin to wither. Leave the leaves on a plate, in a warm and dark place, and when they are completely dry, transfer them to a closed container. For the seeds, cut long stems and place them upside down, in a warm place, and when they are completely dry, store them together with the previously harvested leaves.
How to make tea: Approximately 15 seeds are crushed in a mortar. The crushed seeds and two pieces of leaves are put into a tea bag. The water is heated, and a cup is filled. Cover the cup with a lid and let the tea steep for four minutes.
Medicinal benefits: Helps in digestion.
fruit tea
Rosehip (Rosa rugosa)
The berries of this beautiful Rose are formed on the plants after they have been pollinated by bees.
Cultivation : Rosa rugosa is a very good choice if you want to make rosehip tea. The cultivation is the same as for other roses: place it in a location in full sun, and water it often, whether it is in a pot or in the ground.
How to harvest: Pick the round and brightly colored berries, whose ideal time is usually in autumn. Be sure to collect plenty, so you’ll have them for many months. Cut off the dark top and bottom stem.
How to make tea: The small hairs in the center must be removed before making tea. Once this is done, they will be put into a grinder, but be careful not to over-crush them. They are then placed on a baking tray and placed in the oven at a hot temperature for about 20 minutes. It is recommended that every 5 minutes they are stirred a little to prevent them from burning.
If you haven’t removed the hairs, don’t worry. You can do this now by putting the berries in a strainer and shaking it until the hairs fall out.
Place a teaspoon of dried pink berries in a saucepan with 1 1/2 cups of water, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain into a glass of water, and serve hot.
Medicinal benefits: They provide about 20 times more Vitamin C than oranges. Vitamin C helps the immune system, keeping it healthy.
flower tea
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe and Africa, it can even be found in Asia. There are about 39 species, but only one of them is used to make tea: Lavender angustifolia. It resists light frosts without problems.
Cultivation : the cultivation of lavender is easier when a nursery plant is purchased, since we only have to worry about choosing a good location, which should be in full sun. But it can also be obtained from seeds by sowing them in a pot with universal substrate.
If you want to have it in a pot, do not water it excessively as the roots could rot. And if, on the other hand, you want to keep it in the ground, it will only need regular watering the first year; from the second and if the rainfall exceeds 300 liters per year, it can be maintained on its own.
How it is harvested: the flowers are mainly used to make tea, but you can also pick the leaves. To dry lavender, cut off long stems before the flowers are fully open, and hang the bunches in a cool, dark place. When the flowers have dried and some leaves have wilted, store them in an airtight container in a dark cabinet.
How to make tea: Water is boiled and a cup is filled. If using fresh lavender, put two or three flowers and a few leaves in a tea bag. Put the bag in the cup, cover it with a plate or lid and let it rest for three minutes.
If using dried lavender, add a teaspoon of the flowers and leaves to a tea bag and steep for about four minutes.
Medicinal benefits: It has calming and relaxing qualities, helps prevent insomnia, fight colds and coughs, and as if that were not enough, relieves stomach discomfort.
root tea
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, Echinacea purpurea)
Echinaceas are very popular plants in gardens, as they attract numerous pollinators, and dress it up in a spectacular way.
Cultivation : These are tall plants, which will grow wonderfully if placed in the back or center of a sunny location. If you want to get Echinacea from seed, plant them directly in a seedbed in full sun and you will soon see your own plants grow.
If you want to have them in the garden, add some type of organic fertilizer before planting, such as earthworm humus or horse manure.
How to harvest: Echinaceas need a minimum of three years to get their roots big enough and strong enough to divide. They are harvested in the fall, cutting off a large portion to replant. With what you have left, chop it up and place it on a baking sheet in a warm, dry place. The leaves and flowers can be collected throughout the summer and dried in the same way. Choose flowers that are not fully open. The roots are stored in a separate container from the leaves and flowers.
How to make tea: Place two pinches of Echinacea root and 1 1/2 cups of water in a small saucepan, cover, and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add a pinch of leaves and flowers and let it sit for three minutes. And finally, it is strained into a glass of water.
Medicinal benefits: strengthens the immune system, helps fight sore throats, colds and the flu.
