Herbal Teas

Strainers come in all sizes. If your teapot doesn't have one, you can use a handled sieve like the one shown here. Or, you can purchase a strainer that allows you to steep the herbs directly in your cup.

To make a soothing herbal tea, use 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs per cup of hot water. Snip some herbs into a small teapot and add hot--but not boiling--water. (If the water is too hot, you'll burn off the herb's volatile oils, which create the flavor.) Allow the tea to steep for five minutes or less; if you steep the tea too long, flavors may become bitter. Strain the tea into a cup, and enjoy.

Dried herbs that work well for teas, hot or iced:

• chamomile flowers
• fennel
• lavender
• lemon balm
• lemongrass
• lemon verbena
• nettles
• peppermint
• raspberry leaf
• red clover
• rose hips
• spearmint

Tip: Instead of throwing away leftover tea, use it to water your houseplants. Plants like tea as long as it's caffeine-free.

Guests
Debbie Whittaker
Herbalist and Owner, Herb Gourmet
Email: herbgourmet@aol.com.
Also in this Episode

Inside Dirt : Episode ISD-119
•	Gourmet Gardens
•	Growing Herbs Indoors
•	Herbal Condiments
•	Herbal Teas