Let’s Talk Tea
Tea & muffins - a perfect pairing!
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Let’s Talk Tea!
Now that we’re in the 'ber' months, I feel like I can finally give myself permission to drink hot tea again. I love all kinds of tea, and since earlier this year, I've been experimenting with different blends. It's such a rewarding process to combine new flavors and create something unique. Many of the herbal ingredients I use were either foraged on our property or grown in my herb garden this year, and there's immense satisfaction in sipping a cup of tea made from ingredients that I harvested and dried myself.
In this post, I’ll share some materials I use, a bit about how to build your own tea blend, and a few of my favorite tea recipes, along with the benefits of some key ingredients. Links to materials used are in the text sections below. If you are unable to grow or forage ingredients I have also linked some for you. One of the best Christmas gifts my husband has ever given me is a dehydrator. I dry my dandelion root, orange peels, and pretty much anything I forage.
Black & Green Tea
How to Build a Tea Blend Recipe
The main loose-leaf teas I like to work with are black (Darjeeling), green, and Oolong. The darker the tea leaf, the more oxidation (exposure to oxygen) it has experienced. Green teas are not oxidized, while oolong sits somewhere in the middle of the oxidation spectrum. These teas serve as a fantastic base for adding various herbal ingredients to create your desired flavor mix.
Choose a Base Tea (70-75% of your blend):
Black tea: Pairs well with bold and sweet flavors and has the most caffeine. It's rich in antioxidants, which may help reduce inflammation and improve heart health.
Oolong tea: Has a range of flavors from light to full-bodied and pairs well with floral and citrus elements. It can aid in digestion and help with weight management.
Green tea: Lighter and works nicely with citrus, it contains less caffeine than black or oolong tea. It's known for its high levels of catechins, which are powerful antioxidants.
Herbal teas: Naturally caffeine-free and offer a wide range of flavors, making them perfect for any time of day.
Add Complementary Flavors (20-30%):
Select one to three herbs, florals, spices, or berries. Be cautious not to overwhelm light-bodied teas with intense flavors. For green teas, I prefer to stick with milder flavors.
Choose an Accent Flavor (optional):
Add warming spices like clove, cinnamon, ginger, or peppercorn. Citrus, fruity elements, or aromatics like lavender also make great additions.
Add some labels to your ingredients for a vintage feel
Equipment for Brewing Tea
Loose Leaf Tea: Always start with quality loose-leaf tea.
Water: Filtered water works best, but I'm not too particular.
Kettle: I have become obsessed with tea kettles. My favorite is a clear glass one that lets me see the tea diffusing.
Mug or Cup: Choose something that makes you happy.
Tea Infuser or Fillable Tea Bag: I use single-serving tea balls and fillable tea bags from Amazon when I’m gifting blends.
Brewing Tips
Here are some temperatures and steeping times for different teas:
Black tea: 206°F, steep for 3-5 minutes
Oolong: 210°F, steep for 3-5 minutes
Green tea: 170°F, steep for 1-3 minutes
Herbal tea: Use boiling water, steep for 5 minutes
My tea nook
The general rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon of tea mix per 8 oz cup. If your tea mix is bulky, use 2 teaspoons. I always try to get a second cup out of my blend before composting!
Common Herbal, Floral, and Spice Additions & Their Benefits
Lemon Balm: Known for its calming effects, it can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep.
Peppermint: Aids digestion and can relieve headaches.
Calendula: Anti-inflammatory and helps with digestive issues.
Dandelion Root: Supports liver health and aids digestion.
Rose Hips: High in vitamin C and antioxidants, great for boosting the immune system.
Lavender: Helps with relaxation and can improve sleep quality.
Chamomile: Known for its calming properties, it helps with relaxation and sleep.
Ginger: Reduces nausea, aids digestion, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Nettle: Rich in vitamins and minerals, it can help with detoxification.
Cloves: Provide a warming effect and have antimicrobial properties.
Cinnamon: Helps regulate blood sugar and provides warmth and sweetness to blends.
More pretty labels
My Favorite Tea Blend Recipes
Here are some blends I’ve been enjoying:
1. Dandelion Root Tea
Ingredients: 4 T Oolong or black tea, 2 T each dried Dandelion root, dried ginger root, and dried orange peel (broken into small pieces), 2 tsp dried Cardamom pods (crushed), 2 tsp dried Nettle, and 2 crushed cinnamon sticks. Optionally add 10-12 cloves and 1 tsp grated nutmeg.
Benefits: This blend is a wonderful digestive aid and supports liver health. Dandelion root helps with detoxification, while ginger offers anti-inflammatory properties.
Instructions: Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and store in a jar. To brew, use at least 1 T per 8 oz water and steep for 5-8 minutes.
2. Bedtime Tea
Ingredients: 2 T dried Calendula flowers, 2 T dried Chamomile flowers, 1 T crushed rose hips, 1 T dried Lavender buds.
Benefits: Perfect for relaxation and unwinding before bed. Chamomile and lavender help promote calmness, while rose hips boost your immune system with vitamin C.
Instructions: Mix together in a bowl. Store in a jar. I usually use more than 1 tsp per 8 oz with this herbal mix.
3. Rose Petal Orange Tea
Ingredients: 4 T green tea, 3 tsp dried rose petals, 2 T dried Chamomile flowers, 1 T dried orange peels (small pieces), 1 T dried crushed ginger, and 1 tsp crushed rose hips (optional).
Benefits: Green tea provides antioxidants, rose petals offer a calming effect, and orange peel adds vitamin C and a citrusy brightness.
Instructions: Mix together in a bowl. Store in a jar. Use 1 tsp per 8 oz of water.
4. Blue Cornflower Tea
Ingredients: 4 T Oolong or black tea, 2 T dried blue Cornflower petals, 2 T dried Calendula petals, 1 T dried orange peel (small pieces), and 2 T cocoa shells.
Benefits: The blue cornflower adds a touch of elegance and has mild anti-inflammatory properties. Cocoa shells give a hint of chocolate flavor and antioxidants.
Instructions: Mix together in a bowl. Store in a jar. Use 1 tsp per 8 oz of water.
5. Fall Spiced Tea
Ingredients: 4 T Oolong or black tea, 2 T crushed cinnamon sticks, 2 T crushed coffee beans (I prefer Starbucks Pike Place), 2 T cocoa shells, 1 tsp crushed dried ginger, and 1 tsp crushed star anise.
Benefits: This cozy blend is perfect for autumn. Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar, while ginger offers digestive benefits. The coffee beans add a touch of caffeine for a morning pick-me-up.
Instructions: Mix together in a bowl. Store in a jar. Use 1 tsp per 8 oz of water.
Fillable tea bags for gifting
Tips for Gifting Tea Blends
With the holiday season coming up, homemade tea blends make a perfect gift! Package your blends in small jars or fillable tea bags, and label them with a personalized touch. Feel free to use my downloadable vintage jar labels available on my website.
Disclaimer
Please consult your doctor or a healthcare professional before using herbal teas, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have any underlying health conditions. While herbal teas can offer many health benefits, some herbs may interact with medications or may not be suitable for everyone.
Enjoy Your Cup of Tea
I hope you feel inspired to experiment with your own tea blends. There’s something truly special about brewing a cup that you've created from scratch, using herbs and spices you've grown or foraged yourself. I’ve spent several months collecting ingredients that I couldn’t forage. It’s okay to start simple and add flavors as you go. Steep according to the type of tea, then sit back and enjoy with a cozy scone or muffin!
Happy tea blending!
My favorite thrifted tea kettle
