It's late march here in Delaware, and we've had lots of wet, warm weather, interspersed by a frost here and there, but that's not enough to discourage the numerous plants in the mint family adapted to humid temperate climates: these plants have been growing vigorously and will soon have enough leaves to make the first batches of herbal tea of the year. I took a few pictures of the new foliage of perennial herbs that I use for herbal tea.
These are only a few of the many herbs in my garden; I thought to highlight these as they're all a little outside of the mainstream things that you typically find for sale as herbal teas. They're all easy to grow and, in my opinion they're all outstanding--people who haven't tried them are missing out!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSxvgovJyIHbeGG9MWhCDN7o4B4B8IsqQVM0DvY_OP00LFb3Jd6uyXI-8wEvo50isQoOS5x5skSgKSwuw_OkYpbbUveICOEjixXBZkRprY3SBre7_gsMUAY6NOifJCYRDdItoqrTgHnY/s400/lemon-balm.jpg)
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a plant in the mint family that makes a delicious tea. Its aroma is lemony, similar in many respects to lemongrass but gentler. Not only is this a very pleasing herb, but there is also some evidence it has antibacterial, antiviral, and stress-reducing properties.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m5ltOtPXPci2qtMsC9Iqv3Zbejvhb4l8FB1By00FTk6XsJjEqqKosKQP4Vv23CymgQPUXyXhxV5vQ8llwbdMUTt1oIvQTcqeNt0f9trSOcMwLXosHotGBuyojeoK1b8mguHvSHtkR1A/s400/wild-bergamot.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINTIvXyfeTFb0VZLq_NPoK5TwvWsqpfT-GOZV9NbhNJe9tiv8iV3QCR2MkF0Qf4zqfNTT3fY6l07MkPLEjFyLHT7wrZD3Jd8Zc-Cbs076qI57m5N_JZFZu4G1klGQo1DY5eS3n4tdgWo/s400/orange-mint.jpg)
I find this mint to make an outstanding herbal tea with a rich aroma; it also makes a very welcome addition to mint tea blends, adding considerable depth and complexity. Its strength makes it hold its own in blends with black teas. It is also more basil-like in aroma and I find makes a useful substitute for basil in the early spring and late fall when temperatures are too cold to have basil outdoors.
I also tried planting something new:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dYvLYWV9jT4STc1sv5N7tSeoT_QG5os1BEVbLvCSfCvCB_2OQ6YQGlTEMfDzsjWRcmqgJp2FSc-wB6zdOSDdZNMD2DHlJ5HTHzhvt9_VTUHDrVY9dbU-GJevxNCPJdP0Sa5D63ohk8M/s400/pineapple-sage.jpg)
This herb is an annual in cold temperate climates, but it can take some cold. I'm hoping it's not too early to plant here in Delaware; I bought it from a local nursery that has been growing it outdoors in an unheated greenhouse, and those high altitudes in Mexico can get pretty cold. I planted it in a warm, dry part of the garden, close to the building in order to simulate its natural habitat more closely...we'll see how it does!
No comments:
Post a Comment