Fresh Basil Tea

Love the smell and taste of fresh basil? Do you grow it and don't know what else to use it for besides pesto, salads, sauces or as a garnish? Once you make Homemade Basil Tea, you will keep making it.

The smell and flavor of fresh basil is one of life's simple pleasures. Luckily growing basil is something that is easy to do even for novice gardeners. It's the one herb that most people seem to grow indoors/outdoors.

Sometimes plain water is just so boring. The flavor of homemade Basil Tea is wonderful! You can choose to enjoy it hot or chilled over ice. Either way it's a delicious drink with benefits.

Ingredients for Basil Tea

• Fresh basil leaves, flowering parts or a combination of both
• Water
• Honey or your favorite sweetener (optional)

When a basil plant flowers, you see the top of the plant shoot up densely bunched with flower of white, lavender or purple flowers (depending on the variety of basil).

Variations

• There are numerous types of fresh basil. The most common being Sweet Basil which is what you'll find in the produce section of your grocery store. Different basil plants have different flavor. Such as lemon basil, Thai basil, cinnamon basil, Greek basil etc.
• Combine with your favorite loose or bagged tea like black tea, lemon tea ginger tea etc. for a hint of fresh basil flavor.
• Add in some organic lemon peel as it steeps, a squeeze of fresh lemon or a lemon slice or two to make basil lemon tea.
• Enjoy hot or cold.

Benefits of basil include, antioxidants, vitamins K, A, iron and calcium. Basil can help reduce inflammation, can aid in digestion and its antibacterial properties can help fight tooth decay. Basil has great skin health benefits too.

I love adding in a bit of honey to a cup of Basil tea after the leaves have steeped for a few minutes. It's delicious! The larger the mug used, the more leaves you can add, and honey!

Tips

• Fresh basil is best for this tea as it lends an unmistakable aroma and flavor.
• Rinse your basil flowers / basil leaves under cool water or in a bowl of cool water to remove any residue or bugs.
• Steep time can be anywhere from 3 minutes to 15 minutes. The longer it steeps the more intense the flavor will be. For hot tea I prefer a shorter steep, about 4 minutes. For cold tea a I like a longer steep.
• See all that basil growing below?? When a basil plant flowers, typically we snip that off (also called deadheading) to help redirect the plant's energy from it trying to reproduce and create additional leaves. Cutting or pinching off the flower buds encourages the plant to branch and continue its leaf growth. Which can give the plant larger, larger, sweeter basil leaves. I like to leave some flowers to attract pollinators (they love them) which help the rest of my garden. Instead of throwing them away use the pinched off basil flower parts for making Basil tea as well., Just give them a cool rinse first.
• When ready to enjoy your tea, use a mesh strainer to remove the leaves and any residue or flower particles.
• As with any new food, drink or herb start out slow to make sure you have no side effects from a new regimen.
• Be sure where you grow your basil is free from pesticides and when purchasing a basil plant, look for organic labeling.

Note: If you have any food allergies to fresh herbs, consult your doctor before beginning to drink a lot of a fresh herb tea. Always make sure the basil you use is free of pesticides.

I hope you make lots of fresh Basil Tea for yourself and relax as well as make a cup for the ones you love!

Recipes To Try With Fresh Herbs