From the garden to the teacup...

[bekajoi]

Those that grow things for teas, how do you go from garden to the cup? Do you pick and dry (how do you dry? lol), or pick and pour hot water over them and let them steep? Do you just play with the amounts until you get the dark water you were aiming for?

I've only got lavender and spearmint going this year for teas, but that's the purpose of them, so I'm curious! :) BTDT advice always welcome! :)

[Leasmom]

Wow, I never thought to grow teas...that sounds great!!! I need to look into that...I hope someone answers your question soon.

[gillibean]

I'm growing peppermint for tea right now. Drying the leaves in the oven on the lowest possible setting works well for me. When they are done trying, I put in the the freezer whole. I haven't made tea from these yet since I'm still finishing a box of storebought. I would imagine that using a scale that shows fragments of an ounce would be good the first time then you can just use a marked scoop for future cups.

ETA What kind of fertilizer is best for herbs/tea plants? Would miracle gro or a vegetable fertilizer work?

[Gita]

I grow rose hips, comfrey, mint, hyssop, cat mint, and goldenrod, all of which are teas for some use or other, in addition to drying citrus peel. At their peak ripeness, I would pick them leaving enough plant to continue growing of course, then bind them in bunches and hang them upside down in a mild, dry environment with cheesecloth draped on them so that they do not become dusty. When dry, pack them in airtight containers.

I think determining steeping times would be different for each, so a mixture would need some real experimentation to get the full evolution of the flavors.

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

Hmmm, mint grows wild in my yard. I just grab a handful, rinse it, stuff it in a mug and add hot water. Three minutes later I have tea. (I strain it) I can re-brew the leaves several times that evening.

Wow. Think I'l go get some now...

[Animosity]

Hmmm, mint grows wild in my yard. I just grab a handful, rinse it, stuff it in a mug and add hot water. Three minutes later I have tea. (I strain it) I can re-brew the leaves several times that evening.

Wow. Think I'l go get some now...

Wow. That's lucky. All we get in my yard is wild green onions in the spring. We get to smell the 'lovely' scent of onions all about our yard. Wondeful. Especially when my Mom and Grandfather goes on one of their crazy 'mowing sprees' and cuts them all down. :rolleyes:

[bekajoi]

What kind of fertilizer is best for herbs/tea plants? Would miracle gro or a vegetable fertilizer work?

That's what I'm using, as I figure it's meant for consumption, at least. It's not a FLOWER plant just to look at, after all.

VERY cool about the wild mint! :) And good to know you can do whatever you like, fresh vs. dried. I think I saw some people put into an airtight container on the counter... but I'm SURE the freezer keeps them fresher. Hmm.

I have looseleaf tea bags and metal steeping things to work with, so I know I can steep them this way without too much trouble. (you can find these in the grocery stores, by the teas, if you want them and don't have!)

[gillibean]

Hmmm, mint grows wild in my yard. I just grab a handful, rinse it, stuff it in a mug and add hot water. Three minutes later I have tea. (I strain it) I can re-brew the leaves several times that evening.

Wow. Think I'l go get some now...

Does the fresh mint give a strong taste like dried leaves do or is it milder?

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

Does the fresh mint give a strong taste like dried leaves do or is it milder?
I think it's about the same, probably stronger, as the oils haven't evaporated away - just keeping in mind that you have to use a lot more fresh because it's not shrunken and dried....

[gillibean]

I think it's about the same, probably stronger, as the oils haven't evaporated away - just keeping in mind that you have to use a lot more fresh because it's not shrunken and dried....

I'll have to give that a try when the leaves on my little plant get bigger. I just harvested some so it'll be a bit.

[LucidAnne]

we used to make "sun tea" by stuffing in our mint leaves and things straight from the garden and letting it steep in the sun on our hot rocks. it probably wasnt veg though, b/c of the possible bug contamination. lol.
but we also used to grow chammomile too.

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

it probably wasnt veg though, b/c of the possible bug contamination. lol.
.
Eh, yeah, I strain my tea specifically because there is sadly ALWAYS a critter or two that didn't rinse off...