Enjoy an unexpected tea combination!
Have you ever wondered about experimenting with different dried herbs to make the perfect cup of tea? If so, you鈥檒l be glad to know that it is extremely simple to infuse tea in a few steps. I鈥檝e made Lavender and Marshmallow Root Tea (yes, the 鈥渞eal鈥 marshmallow plant!) but you can use any dried herbs that appeal to your senses.
Tea has many satisfying powers and, in my opinion, has a much more pleasing feel than a mug of heavily brewed black coffee. Tea is a subtle addition to a happy morning, a wake-up during a drowsy afternoon, and a great way to wind down after dinner. Doesn鈥檛 everyone need these things each day of the week? I am speaking to men here, as well.
Most haven鈥檛 considered a cup of tea a personal experience, but if you infuse your own tea, it is just that. It鈥檚 quite easy, and it becomes second nature after the first time you try, not to mention an oh-so-much-cheaper process than buying tea bags at the store.
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What You Need: A Small Infuser
To infuse tea, it鈥檚 best to pick up an infuser (though you can always use a sieve to remove the herbs). An infuser is usually small, metal, and ball-shaped, with tiny holes covering its entire surface. A chain dangles on one end for easy removal from piping hot water. You place herbs and tea leaves inside the infuser and clasp them together.
I bought a fun infuser (I spent the extra dollar to ensure I was brewing in quite quaint style). It is a teapot-looking figure that opens and closes when you push up and down on the top. A pattern of star-shaped holes for straining purposes covers the sides of the infuser and its bottom. You do not need to purchase a fancy infuser, let alone a metal one. In China and Japan, they use a basket-type infuser that gives the tea a unique taste!
How to Infuse Tea
The beginning step for infusing tea is experimenting to find herbs you love. Don鈥檛 think about what will taste perfect together; trying different combinations is all part of the fun.
Do rosemary and echinacea appeal to you? How about dandelion and mint? If you want to make a healing tea, look into the different herbs and their benefits as natural remedies.
The first tea I ever brewed was a blend of lavender and marshmallow root. If you don鈥檛 grow your own herbs, find these dried herbs in many places, from Amazon to your local stores to even Walmart!
- To begin my brewing process for lavender and marshmallow root, I put a teaspoon of the lavender and a teaspoon of the marshmallow root into the infuser.
- I placed a pot of water on the stove and brought it to a boil, as you would when brewing store-bought tea bags.
- I then poured the water into a mug and placed the infuser in it. Think of the infuser as a metal tea bag. Some like to cover the cup to keep the aromas in.
- The steeping process was a little longer than brewing an English breakfast tea. I waited 10 minutes and it was done.
Most like to take the infuser out, but I love lavender and wanted the strong scent to linger every time I took a sip.
Infusing tea is so easy and fun; it satisfies your senses, and you can make an occasion out of it. Invite friends over to try different varieties and mix and share herbs!
Interested in growing herbs this year? See our Herb Growing Guide Library.
Patty Sanders
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No one mentions if you use the flowers or leaves to make lavender tea. Which?
Good question! Lavender tea is made from dried lavender flower buds. Essentially, you are steeping dried lavender flower buds in water. Use food-grade lavender to make sure they weren鈥檛 treated with pesticides. Here is an example:
we have a profusion of sweet fern in our yard and absolutely LOVE it even by itself. holy basil has a strong flavor - i drink it for its healing properties along with oregano. stinging nettle, oregano, sweet fern combined seemed to have alleviated my allergy symptoms. i don't miss sneezing 8 times every morning then throughout the day. red clover gives tea *full* body, much like nettle and red raspberry leaves.
I use an infuser with a mix of lavender and mint when I make sun tea. It is delicious!
I love tea, and have at least a cup a day. I've never thought of making my own tea before, but I'm planting an herb garden this year so I will give it a try! I'm surprised to hear it's more economical than buying tea bags, very interesting.
This sounds lovely. I love lavender, and have heard about lavender-infused foods. Will have to try this. Going to Provence this summer, which makes me think of lavender!
