Buying tea is fun: exploring new flavors and brands that may help ease symptoms or simply taste good. What’s more fun is making one’s own tea blends!
My garden has mint, lemon balm, lavender, chamomile, parsley, rosemary, calendula, and many other cooking herbs. These are the ones usually being made into tea.
Most of my arsenal is pictured here. I have a serious love of vintage tiny crocks and they are perfect for storing dried herbs.
Choosing which vessel to drink from and deciding where to place the herbs is the hardest part of the process! I have a lovely tea strainer that sits atop a mug, and I also have a muslin cloth bag that is nice for a whole pot of tea. Obviously, I chose the stainless steel tea strainer + my favorite poppy mug.
My favorite blend is mint, lemon balm, and a bit of lavender.
Sometimes I enjoy just mint, I think that’s my second favorite.
Chamomile by itself is amazing, but I like it with mint. Also with lemon balm.
Calendula + mint; lavender + calendula; parsley + mint; basically anything mixed with mint is delicious and soothing.
I have “modeled” some blends based on purchased teas I enjoyed but didn’t care for the price tag. Those usually include licorice root because of its natural sweetness. They require more effort, so I’ll usually mix a larger batch to enjoy over a longer period.
Rosemary is best when fresh and is super strong. I enjoy it mixed with honey and chamomile!
In fact, I like most herbal teas with a bit of honey. I think their flavors come out more fully with some added sweetness.
All herbs either came from my garden, or were bought in bulk at my local herb supplier.
The honey in the coconut jar was purchased in bulk also!
As far as how much to add to each cup, it’s a personal preference, and can also be based on how fresh the herbs are + how finely cut they are. I generally use about one tablespoon because I like a good flavor. Definitely use less if you are using a true tea like earl grey or black.
What are some of your favorite tea blends?
Peace and love,
Kristan
Suffused Supper 