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Making Herbal Tea
Loose herbal tea is as easy to prepare as coffee.
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1. | Warm teapot by rinsing with hot water.
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2. | Place 1 to 2 tsp. of loose herb per cup into a tea ball or place directly into tea pot.
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3. | Pour fresh boiling water onto the herb; allow to steep for about 5 minutes. Use filtered water for the best tasting cup of tea.
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4. | If the herb was used loose, pour through strainer.
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5. | Sweeten tea with honey or sugar to taste.
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Using Culinary Herbs
Culinary herbs are a salt-free seasoning and have other health benefits.
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* | Culinary herbs may be used as a tea by following directions above.
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* | Culinary herbs can be used as a spice in any sauce, soup or salad, or as directed by your cookbook.
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Tools for Preparing Loose Tea
French Press
The Bodum coffee maker (French press; also called a plunger or press pot) to the left in the picture is very handy for steeping loose tea. Pull the plunger out and place the loose tea into the bottom of the glass jug. Add water and watch the tea steep. When the tea has steeped, push the plunger down. This jug is easy to clean.
Regular Tea Pot
Another method is to put the loose tea directly into a tea pot. Most tea pots strain out the course leaves. The tea can be poured through a strainer to be sure to remove all the leaves.
Tea Ball or Cotton Sack
Loose herb can also be steeped in a tea ball. The tea ball should be large enough that it needs to be filled only half to make the desired amount of tea. Do not pack the herb into the tea ball too tightly, otherwise the water cannot circulate freely to draw all the goodness out. Re-usable cotton tea bags, which can be used the same way as a tea ball, are also available.
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