What is more refreshing than a glass of iced mint chamomile herbal tea, sweetened to perfection, on a hot summer day? Imagine sitting in your most comfortable outdoor chair enjoying a cup of cool sunshine. Or, how about relaxing in your cozy chair by a warm winter fire, sipping a steaming mug of your homemade herbal tea? Pure heaven!
Dried herbs and fresh herbs make delicious teas. I prefer using dried herbs because they are richer in vitamins and minerals than fresh herbs. The drying process opens the cell walls of the plant, giving the water greater ability to absorb those healthy herbs. I also enjoy the richness in the flavor of dried herbs. My homemade blend of mint and chamomile combines the refreshing taste of mint with the relaxation properties of chamomile.
Making tea bags with dried herbs is easy and fun. Empty tea bags can be easily purchased from Amazon. If you do not have readily available herbs to dry from your garden or farmer’s market, you can also order inexpensive bags of organic dried herbs from Amazon or tea companies. Use organic herbs to ensure that your food is pesticide free. However, if making tea bags is not for you, there are countless tea infusers available for purchase.
My family truly appreciates homemade herbal teas. On the occasion of my daughter’s wedding, she asked me to lovingly make 300 tea bags for her guests as wedding favors!
Mint Chamomile Tea
Ingredients
- 1 cup water increase for pitcher of iced tea
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried mint increase for pitcher of iced tea
- 1 teaspoon dried chamomile increase for pitcher of iced tea
- honey or other sweetener you prefer
Instructions
- Boil water in kettle or large pot. If making iced tea, boil 4 cups.
- Place herbs in empty tea bags or tea strainer. Then place in tea cup if making hot tea. If making iced tea, use 4 cup Pyrex container that can handle boiling water without breaking. Use either 4 tea bags or large tea strainer to hold equivalent of 4 tea bags.
- Pour hot water over your herbs. Let steep for 10 minutes. Cover your container to help the essential oils in the herbs not evaporate.
- Remove tea bag(s) or strainer. If using tea bags, squeeze the excess water out of the bag.
- Sweeten tea to taste. Use honey or whatever sweetener you prefer.
- If making a hot cup of tea, sit back and enjoy. If making iced tea, continue with directions.
- For iced tea, let cool and pour into your pitcher. Add ice and enjoy your refreshing tea.
