Text by and Photography Courtesy of Sara Stewart Martinelli
Those of us who love traditional teas (Camellia sinensis) are often averse to add anything that might mask the subtle yet complex flavors of this divine beverage. The magic of the tea leaf is its ability to yield myriad flavors, aromas, and liquors.
Fortunately, nature has gifted us with endless plants from which we can create tasty and healthy infusions. These botanical ingredients can easily be added to your favorite Camellia blend or blended on their own to create herbal tisanes (usually meaning without Camellia sinensis and/or without caffeine).
One of the things that most tea lovers share is the propensity to slow down and appreciate the subtleties of a finely crafted tea. Often, these same types of people enjoy time in nature and nurturing a personal garden. With just a few selections, it’s easy to plant and enjoy herbs that lend themselves to delicious infusions.
Many of nature’s most beneficial herbs are often also nature’s most abundant, such as mint, which is riotously plentiful in our gardens—sometimes even growing in places that we don’t want it!
Following, you’ll find some easy-to-grow plants that are a joy to have in the garden when making tea. In addition to their delicious flavors and health-promoting properties, they will support your local wildlife and pollinators.
Each plant description will include easy growing tips, as well as some information about when to harvest the plant. As a rule of thumb, most plants are best harvested and dried at the point at which the part of the plant that you are using is most vibrant. For example, if you are using the leaf, harvest the leaves before the plant is using its energy to create a bloom. If you’re using the seed or root, wait until the bloom fades and the plant is either sending its energy to the seed or to the roots to survive the winter.
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What a lovely guide! I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with herbal teas, and your tips on growing herbs like mint and harvesting them at the right time are really helpful. For anyone looking to explore more healthy and flavorful infusions, this guide on herbal teas and garden herbs
offers some great ideas and practical advice.