REPOST- SUNTEA RECIPE FOR SWEET TEA

This is a repost of an old post from 2010 that seems appropriate for the warmer weather. So drink up and enjoy!

Some "sun Tea made in my frigidaire

SUN TEA RECIPE FOR SWEET TEA
I found this sun tea recipe on Instructables.com . A few things to add: you don't need sun to make sun tea- you can just put it in the frigidaire or just leave on the counter- the methods are the same, and when you use a large pickle jar or something simular, try saving the lid as you can use that rather than use a zip lock bag or plastic wrap to cover the top. I like that he mixes two teas- red rose which is a black pekoe tea, and constant comment a rather spicy sweeter tea.
* Sun
* 4 Red Rose tea bags or "black" tea
* 2 Constant Comment tea bags
* Ziploc bag or plastic wrap, big enough to cover opening
* Rubber band
* Something to stir the tea
* Approx. 3L pitcher
* Glass jug, (mine is an old olive jar)
* Approx. 10 tbsp of sugar or equivalent sweetner (I sweeten mine with about 5 tbsp. of agave nectar)


First, get 4 tea bags of Red Rose, and 2 of Constant Comment, and cut the strings off. Second, fill up the jar/jug with water and put the tea bags in, . Put a lid on the jar/jug and put it outside in sun. Or just stick it in your fridge or counter. When done take the tea bags out and add the sweetner and stir well. Serve with glasses filled with Ice.

Hot Apple Chai-der

I know I know- this is supposed to be a cookie swap... but you gotta wash down those cookies with something...

Here is an easy to make drink to warm your insides.

2 cups of Apple Cider

Two to three Chai tea bags

Optional- whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream

Take the Cider and bring to a boil, and throw the teabags in and let them steep. Pour into mugs and serve. Optional- top with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy

or do the harder version here

Adventures in Foraging

Since I cannot find a class on foraging, I am forced to take matters into my own two hands. I have had some success lately. I have foraged pineapple weed and red and white clover tops for tea.

Pineapple Weed

Pineapple weed grows in compacted earth, and gravel drives and roads. It only takes a tablespoon of fragrant flower heads to make a cup of tea (or so I read)
Clover heads- I find both red and white at vacant lots in in Town. I pick the heads and dry them for tea

Red Clover Flower is a general detoxifying (blood cleanser) herb.
Red Clover Flower is a source of phytoestrogens said to help with hot flashes and general menopause support.
Red Clover Flower has a pleasant sweet taste. Historically, tea made of the red clover flower has been used as an antispasmodic, expectorant, a mild sedative, and a blood purifier; additionally, the tea has been used for asthma, bronchitis and respiratory spasms.
These flowers also make a good herb tea, although red clover is less labor intensive to collect and more healthful. This common, widespread plant also favors sunny meadows and lawns.
So I am gathering my guts and trying some foraging. Don't get me wrong- I still want to take a class on foraging, but feel a bit better about going on my own.

White Clover uses: Leaves of white clover are edible, raw or cooked. The young leaves are best harvested before the plant flowers, and can be used in salads, soups etc. They can be used as a vegetable, cooked like spinach. Flowers and seed pods have been dried, ground into a powder and used as a flour or sprinkled on cooked foods such as boiled rice. The young flowers can also be eaten raw in salads. The root can be eaten if cooked first. A sweet herb tea is made from the fresh or dried flowers. It is considered delicate. The dried leaves impart a vanilla flavor if mixed into cakes etc.

If you read this and get an urge to forage:

PLEASE! DO NOT FORAGE UNLESS YOU ARE

100% SURE OF WHAT YOU ARE FORAGING!

Clovers, Thistles and Chamomile- Oh My

I am sitting here enjoying a cup of Red Clover Tea. And tomorrow I will have thistle tea. And some lemon grass tea.

"Red clover's constituents are thought to stimulate the immune system. (It has
been a traditional ingredient in many formulas for cancer.) Red clover has also
been used to treat coughs and respiratory system congestion, because it also
contains resin. Resinous substances in plants have expectorating, warming, and
antimicrobial action. Red clover also contains the blood-thinning substance
coumarin. Coumarin is not unique to red clover; it is found in many other
plants, including common grass. In fact, the pleasant sweet smell of freshly cut
grass is due to the coumarin compounds. People on anticoagulant drugs such as
Coumadin should be cautious of using red clover, as the blood may become too
thin." - How stuff works, Benefits of Red Clover

I made my tea in a jar, Letting it "steep" overnight, poured it in a cup, then nuked the cup. I was going to add agave but found I liked it as is. Here is the benefits of Clover Tea according to How Stuff Works.

Thistle tea: Thistle Tea may be used for treatment of digestive problems, like gas, constipation and stomach upset and may be used to detoxify the body. Thistle Tea may have some liver and gallbladder support properties, though there is a need for more research in this area.

I am also trying desperately to grow my own chammomile- known to aid in sleeping, and improves liver function and kidney function. And it is relaxing.

I don't know if drinking clover tea or thistle tea is answer to all maladies, but I do know it is easy to grow/forage, all I know is I am constantly looking for substitutes for coffee and tea. And all those honey bee's can't be wrong! Amd I do know that clover is an excellent cover crop for your garden. There is a side benefit- you plant clover, it puts nitrogen in your garden, attracts honeybees (they love clover flowers), and you get tea!

Foraging my goals

Well y'all ready know that I did not meet my Home Improvement goals, but what about my garden goals? What do I want to learn for 2010? Well... I would like to learn how to grow my own tea- chamomile, in particular. So I am doing study mode. In chamomile. It seems doable. Of course all the seed and plant suppliers just say is "The Flowers make wonderful teas" Like that is an instant growth message. Take it from someone who can't grow broccoli, Getting a chamomile Plant to flower ain't going to be easy. I just have no confidence. Of course I could make Dandelion Tea, but since it works as a laxative, maybe not. I already have enough shit in my life.

I do have an affinity for chamomile tea. It relaxes me. Makes me calm. Just like I drink Mint Tea when my stomach has an ache, I drink chamomile when I get stressed. Also I want to get into this lemon verbena thing everyone else knows about. I already have a lemonade recipe using lemon verbena as an ingredient.

And Thirdly I want to learn about foraging. I would like to be able to identify Lamb's Quarters, and eat them without poisoning myself. I think I have some growing around the deck, but am not sure. I need foraging lessons!

So that is my goal list for 2010 in the garden!

As Far as foraging, I already pick dandelions, and blackberries. But that is about as far as I go.

UPDATE: I ordered seeds for Lamb's Quarters as well as chamomile and threw in some amaranth from Seeds Of Change...By growing the lambs quarters, I can then ID the plant! And don't laugh- I know I ordered weed seeds- Worked for Borage!