by the handful

Herbal Teas

Making tea out of your fresh garden herbs is so easy you will wonder why it took you so long to start doing it, I did at least. Any fresh herb can be dried and made into tea. You can make tea from just one herb variety or combine several to make a more complex tasting herbal tea.
This quick drying method is fast, simple and works the same for any fresh herb you have on hand. Rather than let the leaves slowly air dry (which does work) using the oven on low heat quickly achieves the same result.

Herbal tea Preparation:

You can use as much herbs as you can fit on a baking sheet. Although it’s very easy it’s still nice to make a big batch every so often rather than preparing it several times. Set oven rack to med high and bring oven to 170 degrees (probably its lowest setting). Rip leaves from the stems and place on a baking sheet. Cook (dry out) for 30 minutes. check to be certain leaves are completely dry, otherwise place in oven for 15 minutes more at a time until completely dry. Only basil seems to dry out a little slower. It’s important to catch them as they are done drying and not overdo it though as they will begin to cook once dried. Crumble with fingers just a little bit and store in an airtight jar or container.

Herbal Tea:

1 tbsp dried tea leaves

tea ball or other mesh tea infuser

simmering water

honey (optional)

Use one tbsp of prepared/dried tea per cup. Add dried tea to a tea ball. Bring water to a simmer, not a boil, and pour over tea. Steep for 7-9 minutes. Add a drizzle of honey if desired.

Good fresh herbs for making herbal teas:

peppermint

spearmint

lemon balm

basil

tarragon

pineapple sage

licorice

lemon verbena