Herbal Teas on the Cheap: Part 16 - Spice It Up!

We use spices all the time in our kitchens to enhance the flavor of our dishes. Why would we think that it is unusual to spice up our teas as well? Let's try some experiments with our blends.

Everyone has heard of Chai tea, but what is it really? Chai is Hindi for "tea" and usually refers to black tea spiced with cloves, cinnamon, anise, ginger, cardamom and black pepper. It is usually served with milk and a sweetener. Hmmm, spiced tea isn't so outrageous an idea after all.

Most spices grow in remote locations and are imported. These are not typically going to be grown in your backyard, but there are a few that are rather easy to grow. Let's concentrate on those. For the rest, try purchasing from a reliable source. I personally like Monterey Bay Spice Company out of California.

You all know by now that I live in zone 5a, so let's look at the spices and herbs that I can grow here. Mint springs to mind and there are lots of different types of mint plants. I am growing spearmint, applemint, grapefruit mint, Mojito mint, chocolate mint and peppermint. Of these, the peppermint keeps its mint flavor best when dried. Mint is easy to grow and you can harvest you mint continuously as it will spring back up after you trim it back. Be careful though, as mint tends to spread aggressively. You should probably grow it in pots.

Fennel is another herb that is easy to grow as well as feverfew, verbena, lemon balm and rosemary, just to name a few. Note that some of these plants will not last the Winter here. If you want to continue growing the same rosemary plant, you will need to Winter it over in your cellar as it cannot stand the cold.

Check with your local nursery for herbs that you can grow locally. Usually, if it is available for purchase in your area, then you can grow it. When in doubt, ask someone at the nursery for special care instructions.

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!