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Tea for Two: Easy Herbal Teas
Written by Helen Bowers, Master Gardener Volunteer
The story of tea begins in China. According to legend, in 2737 BCE, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung was sitting beneath a tree while his servant boiled drinking water. When some leaves from the tree (Camelia sinensis) blew into the water, Shen Nung, a renowned herbalist, decided to try the infusion that his servant had accidentally created.
The story of tea also includes the East India Tea Company, the Boston Tea Party, the song “Tea for Two” and culminates in the Master Gardener Plant Sale Saturday, May 11th at Putnam County’s Veteran Memorial Park.
How many teas are there? How many stars are in the sky? But let’s start with three easy to grow tea plants, ones that come from the herbs the Master Gardeners will be featuring at the plant sale: Teas made from steeped herbs are called tisanes or more commonly herbal teas.
Mint (Mentha sp.) is the most common and easiest to grow. Plant mint in a pot so it doesn't spread too far, too fast. There will be at least 3 types of mint (peppermint, chocolate mint and lemon mint) and they all have leaves that make great tea. You can dry the leaves or use them fresh. And they make refreshing iced tea as well.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemelum nobile) is similarly easy to grow and it, too, makes a great cup of tea. Different from mint, chamomile tea is made from the lovely yellow and white flowers that look like they want to become daisies when they grow up. The smell of Chamomile is sweet and soothing. What’s more, it’s caffeine free, so you can relax with a cup of chamomile tea at bedtime.
Lavender (Lavandula sp.) has the prettiest purple flowers. Steep these flowers to make tea that will perfume the neighborhood. Lavender is reported to ease anxiety. Take a deep breath as you sip and the smell of lavender will carry your cares far away, up into the clouds.
You don’t even have to dry them first. All edible herbs can make a great cup of fresh tea. Muddling them with a little bit of sugar helps to abrade the leaves and gives an even stronger taste to your tea. At summer’s end, you can dry your herbs in the sun, a slow oven, or a food dehydrator, and enjoy your summer bounty all winter long.
There will be over 30 different herbs available at the sale Saturday May 11th. Gather up your tomato and pepper plants and then come over to the Herbs section to pick up your selection of tea and cooking herbs. And if you have questions, the Master Gardeners on site will help you choose. For more ideas on herbal plants that make marvelous teas please visit the University of Illinois Tea Garden teas list.
Photo Toshiyuki IMAI under CC SA
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