Herbal Teas on the Cheap: Part 15 - A Little Fruity or a Little Nutty?

A Little Fruity

So you've gathered your ingredients for tea, but it still needs a little something? Why not add some nice fruit flavors? Dehydrated fruits will not only add a nice flavor, but they smell delicious as well.

Locally grown fruit is the best.If you have ever compared a store-bought peach to a peach you picked right off the tree, you will know what I am talking about. Go to your local farmer's market and be sure to ask if the wares are locally grown. Chances are, they were not picked until they were ripe, so the taste and aroma will be much richer. If you are really lucky, you have a green thumb and can just run out into the backyard and pick from your own trees!

I grow peaches, apples, blueberries, plums, cherries, grapes, gooseberries, lingonberries, jostaberries, honeyberries and beach plums around the house. I also live right down the road from a strawberry field. Any fruit that you can think of makes for a great addition to your tea.


Harvesting, Drying and Storing Fruit

Harvest the fruit when it had ripen on the plant to get the full flavor it has to offer. Immediately peel and cut it into cubes and put in your dehydrator. Dehydrate only until 90% of the liquid is gone. You still want the fruit to be a little pliable so it give off a nice aroma, but not wet enough to cause it to get moldy. Store in an air-tight container in a cool, dark place until ready to use. These fruit pieces are great for eating out-of-hand as well. My kids love them!

In warmer climates, you may have figs, oranges, lemons, limes and the like available in your area. If you are going to use the citrus rinds, please make sure that the fruit that you get is not sprayed with pesticides. Zest the rinds or scape all the bitter white lining out of the rinds and dice finely. Dry and store in an air-tight container. Figs make a wonderful addition to tea. Simply slice and dehydrate. Once they are dry, dice finely. I found that they cut easier and are less sticky once they are dry.


A Little Nutty
How about a nice nutty flavor? I love almonds; they way they taste and especially the way they smell. A hint of almond in your tea adds a feeling of comfort and home. Just add some finely diced almonds or any other nut of your choice. Just make sure that you mark these blends as containing tree nuts!