I’m always looking for simple ways of editing plastic out of my life. I was distressed and felt mislead when I discovered tea bags have plastic in them, like many I had assumed they are made of paper. With my days punctuated by continuous cups of mint tea, all too often I stretch for the convenience of the bag variety. With fresh herbs growing by my back door it’s the next natural step to cut out the middle man and find sustainable solution to using bagged herb tea. Are you with me, lets break out those tea pots and get back to making our favourite proper cuppa.
Aaah yes, we must be practically unanimous in agreeing there’s nothing more reviving than a fresh brew. To prepare a very simple tisane, pinch off a few chosen herb leaves, place in a cup, pour over boiling water and leave to infuse for a couple of minutes. Follow the same principle using a tea pot, warm by swilling with boiling water, place fresh leaves in the warmed pot then pour over hot water and leave to brew before pouring into cups. For all herbal brews taste before sweetening, if needed swirl in a blob of honey.
It’s always exciting spotting the first sprigs of mint and lemon balm in the garden, from spring, through summer and autumn there is a continuous and reliable crop of sweet smelling leaves to harvest. As well as mint and lemon balm try spikes of lavender flowers. With its intense and magical aroma strongly scented lemon verbena is a winner, it isn’t frost hardy so grow this scented bushy plant in a pot making it easy to relocate for protection in colder months. I’d like to try fresh lime blossom as well as camomile, in the summer I’m looking forward to putting that right. Later in the year after the garden has closed down try dried herbs or a delicious steeped infusion of chopped fresh with a slice of lemon.
Before you start using fresh herbs source them from a reliable nursery or be sure to check them out using a plant identification book, or better still ask an expert for help.
If you like this post check out my posts on Plastic Free Kitchen , La Rentre: The Start of My Plastic Free Journey and take a look at the tea cups and tea pots in my shop: Pair of Vintage Studio Style Cups with Botanical Illustrations, Laneside Botanical Illustration Mugs, Elegant Tea Pot, Small, Elegant Tea Pot, Medium