Herbs, leaves, flowers, roots, bark, rhizomes… the list of things we consider to be ‘herbal tea’ is pretty extensive! But there may be a few things you never even thought of steeping in your next cup of healing herbal tea, and today I’m going to share a little inspiration to make your cup a place of adventure!
It’s fall, and at this time of year I tend to get super creative when it comes to herbal tea blends. The weather finally starts to cool down, and sipping on hot tea makes a lot of sense. This is also the time of year when lots of people get sick so there are plenty of excuses to create some new herbal tea blends.
As you embark on creating your own herbal tea blends this year, or working with some of the herbal tea recipes I’ve shared over the years, consider adding some of these fun, fragrant, and delicious ingredients!
Dried Fruit
You read that right!
One of my favorite things to add to herbal tea blends as a source of natural sweetness and tons of unique flavor is dried fruit. Apple, cranberry, mango, papaya, and even banana make unexpected flavor additions to all kinds of brews, and their endless healing benefits are infused right into the water.
When choosing dried fruits to steep, go for organic varieties that do not contain sulphur.
Flowers
While we’re all familiar with chamomile, rose, and lavender herbal teas, the list of flowers you can steep contains lots of florals many people never thought of. Here are some of my favorites:
- Calendula
- Viola
- Borage
- Nasturtium
- Basil Flowers
Make sure that the flowers you steep are organic and are the edible varieties.
Viola flowers floated on the surface of of a cup of tea will create a presentation that your guests will not soon forget.
Veggies
I love telling people that they can make herbal teas with veggies! The looks I get are priceless!
Despite the popular belief among many people, vegetables can actually pack a sweet, complex flavor profile that works really well with many herbal tea blends. Here are some fresh or dehydrated vegetables you could try steeping…
- Pumpkin
- Squash
- Beets
- Carrots
This will make a savory tea that has a nurturing and comforting energy – and the flavors do surprisingly well with florals!
Here’s a soothing and sweet herbal tea I love during chilly fall evenings…
Autumn Apple Herbal Tea
1 Tbsp. Chamomile
1 Tbsp. Dried Red Apple
1 pinch Cinnamon
1 pinch Nutmeg
1 pinch Cardamom
Combine all. Steep in boiled water for 6-8 minutes. Strain and cool to a comfortable temperature. Enjoy!
Here’s where I get my organic herbs, tea blends, spices, and tea gear…
Mountain Rose Herbs
Happy Autumn!
