Tisane (Tea-zahn) is an herbal concoction that is often called tea, however it is not a true tea, it's an infusion of culinary herbs, spices, or flower parts. Tisanes have been made and used medicinally and for drinking pleasure since ancient times. You can easily make your own herbal teas, which take little hands on time.
Simply dehydrate clean, dry edible flower petals, and herbs that you enjoy. Either package separately or in combinations with other flavors such as ginger, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, or citrus. Store in mason jars, or decorative jars and tins if gifting.
If you order online, you will likely receive Hibiscus sabdariff, a crimson flower. Hibiscus tea is soothing, and with a mild sweetness, and research indicates it is helpful for lowering high blood pressure. The flowers are high in antioxidants, and may be beneficial for arthritis, and heart disease. Hibiscus is of the Malvae family, along with Mallow or Marshmallow. In this recipe I have used Mallow, so the tea is not the crimson color you can expect from the sabdariffa variety. My tea is a light lavender shade.
What you need:
Clean, Sterilized Mason Jars with lids and rings (for storing)
Labels (date, and contents)
Decorative tins or jars, decorative labels, ribbons, raffia, or burlap if making for gifts.
Dehydrator or Oven (on lowest setting)
Or rack for air drying
Ingredients:
Hibiscus flowers-or Mallow (dried)
Ginger Root (sliced or grated-dried) Optional
Mint Leaves (dried-crushed) Optional
Vanilla Bean (split and minced)-Optional
Directions:
Remove the stamens and leaf bracts from the petals, if using ginger, slice thinly or grate and dehydrate. If using mint, or members of the mint family, wash, pat dry and dehydrate the leaves. Rinse and pat dry. Dehydrate the flowers either in the oven or a dehydrator. Use the lowest setting on the oven if it will go to between 125-135 degrees. This can take several hours in the oven and may not be cost effective. A dehydrator is quicker or you can air dry the petals, mint leaves and ginger root, which may take a couple of days depending on the humidity levels, turning them each day until completely dry.
Store in air tight containers or mason jars until ready to use or until ready to package for gifting.
To Use: 2-3 T. of the floral mixture in 8 oz. of hot water. Allow to steep 5-15 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. If you prefer sweetened tea, add a drizzle of Hibiscus simple syrup or pure honey. Suitable hot or cold.
Gifting:
Fill the gift container with the dried flowers. Add 1 tsp. dried ginger root, 1 tsp. dried mint leaves, and 1 tsp. minced vanilla bean, add more or less to taste. Omit flavors you do not enjoy and substitute with flavors you do enjoy. Add ribbons, label and instructions for use. Add a tea infuser as a special addition to the gift or gift basket. If your herbal tea recipient enjoys their tea sweetened, include a bottle of flavored simple syrup (see the link below to make your own).
Refer to the link for making Hibiscus Simple Syrup:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/sweets-treats-and-drinks/hibiscus-petal-simple-syrup
Precaution: Always consult your medical professional before self medicating and if you are on any supplements or prescription medications, ask about any possible interactions with use of Hibiscus tea or any herbal tisanes. No medical advice is given or implied by the author or in this post. The purpose is to inform, it is up to you and your health professional to decide what is best for your own health needs.
Chicken Coop Chatter© All Rights Reserved 2011-2017