Time for tea- herbal tea blends and recipes

I have a great teapot which has an infuser under the lid, so I can make up a whole pot at a time, but I also use a tea ball for individual cups. Herbal tea usually takes about five minutes to steep. Sweeten with a bit of honey to keep the complex flavour palette.

Peppermint tea-
There isn't much more simple than this. Use one teaspoon of dried or 1 tablespoon fresh leaves per cup.

Lavender tea-
One tablespoon of fresh or dried lavender flowers per cup of water. You can add mint or lemon balm as you like.



Rosehips and cinnamon-
Use 3-4 hips per cup and add a chunk of cinnamon stick. This one will need to steep for at least ten minutes or more.

Nettle and mint-
One tablespoon of nettle and one teaspoon of mint per cup. Let it steep for at least ten minutes to get all the goodness out of the nettle leaves. You can also add a bit of cranberry juice to up the health benefits.

Rose petal and violet-
A little weak on its own, but makes a lovely extra to a simple black or green tea.

Birch, pine and dandelion-
Use young birch leaves, pine needles and dandelion flowers. Use less dandelion if you don't like the bitter taste.

Mint, rosemary, thyme and any lemon flavoured herb or citrus peel-
Just like it says. Adjust the flavours to the way you like.

Some people make a coffee substitute from toasted sunflower seed hulls or toasted chickory root, but I'm not a coffee fan, so I've never tried it.


Mix it up and find your own favourites! Home-grown and personally mixed teas make great gifts as well.