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Springtime!
Happy Spring! This is a great time to begin transition from winter warming food and drinks to cooler tastes for the body and mind!
I naturally gravitate towards certain herbs depending upon what is in my garden, less expensive at the store (which typciy means it's in season), and what my body is 'asking' for. Certain herbs flourish at certain times of year for a purpose - it is their time to shine and share their goodness to us!!
Spring Tea
Take mint (or spearmint or peppermint), lemon bam, and lemongrass for example. I may make a tea at the end of the day of this blend, enjoy it warm and make enough to drink it cold for the next day or two!
Mint is considered a cooling herb which assists our body in regulating our body's temperature. Along with relieving an upset tummy, mint may be used externally for diaper rash, sunburn, bites or stings and more. Of course, there are so many different variations of mint including peppermint, spearmint, apple mint and more. When planting mint, it will crawl and grow. If it's in a pot, loosen the soil from time to time and or repot when it appears it's outgrowing the pot. You may also take some of the plant and repot. You will see the many fingers of roots. In Florida, mint loves spring and fall! Mine is about to bloom now.
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| mint in boom |
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| lemon bam |
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| lemongrass |
The Perfect Cup of Tea
The perfect cup of tea will vary from person to person, herb to herb, infusing time, state of mind, quality of the herbs and more. When using the herbs, fresh or dried, play with them prior to putting them in the hot water. Massage the herbs to release the herbal essence. When using flowers such as chamomile, these beauties are fragile and require less steeping (or infusing) time. Spices such as anise or cinnamon require longer steeping time. Depending upon your blend, put certain herbs or spices in before others.
Tea Utensils
Infusing utensils may include a cheese cloth, a ball of many sizes and shapes, and a bag. I highly recommend the natural cheese cloth in the brown color. The white one has been bleached and those chemicals may end up in your tea. I also have been known to 'bag' the utensils and just toss the herbs in the hot water and straining them out.
Putting it Together
If you make 4 cups of water, take 3-4 long springs of lemongrass and put it in the hot water with the cover on and off the burner. Leave the lemongrass infusing for 10-15 minutes. Then add 2 cups, loosely packed, fresh mint or 3-4 tsp dried and the same for lemon balm. (if using fresh mint - pull the leaves off the stem. Sometimes I'll use the leaves and stem when it's closer to the top of the plant, then it's not so woodsy. You may do the same with the lemon balm). Keep the lid on and infuse for another 10-15 minutes. Or steep for 10 and then take the lid off for a few minutes. Your tea should have a strong flavor. Please feel free to adjust the servings to whatever feels right with you! For sweetness such as (raw unfiltered) honey, add it while the tea is warm, not hot or not cold. If it's too hot, it may burn off the fabulous qualities of the honey. You may add it do the entire pot or just the single cup you may currently enjoy. If adding it to one cup, I like to first put about 1/4 cup of tea, then honey, then more tea and mix. After enjoying a few sips, I may 'top' it off with more tea. Each sip will have a delightful taste!
Body and Mind Enrichment. A unique way of exercising your body and mind!
