Springtime Nettle-Lemon Balm tea makes a satisfying, healthful change from morning coffee.
I do love my hand-whipped cappuccinos and indulge in them a couple mornings a week, particularly after those late nights out.
However, I also love my "green" tea during the peak of nettle season and treat myself most days of the week.
For Winter use, I dry nettles now before they bloom. However, nettles are best and tastiest fresh so this is the time of year to enjoy them.
Lemon balm adds a lemony tang to the brew and is calming and soothing - a good way to start any day!
This tea makes for a nice afternoon "tea time" break, too.
Recipe: Springtime Nettle-Lemon Balm Tea (serves one but can be increased to serve more)
6 to 8 ounces of boiling hot water
3 TBS fresh nettle leaves, rinsed and patted dry
1 4-inch sprig of lemon balm cut in half, rinsed and patted dry
Bring cold, fresh water to a boil in a pan or tea kettle.
Place the herbs into a tea glass or cup. Pour on the boiling water and let steep three to eight minutes.
Strain out the herb leaves, or leave them in - I opt for leaving them in for eye appeal and for allowing them to continue releasing their goodness into the tea.
This tea is lightly green. The longer the tea steeps the greener it will become.
Sweeten with honey or agave syrup, if desired.
To make iced tea, quadruple this recipe and steep in a quart-size Mason jar. You can strain out the leaves or not, after steeping.
Refrigerate and serve over ice garnished with a fresh lemon balm or spearmint sprig. If desired, add a splash of sparkling water for a tingling refresher on a hot afternoon.
Note: In Winter substitute dried herbs - 3 tsp dried nettle and 1 to 2 tsp dried lemon balm. Steep three to eight minutes.
You can use other herbs to replace the lemon balm, if desired. Some nice options are chamomile, spearmint, or garden sage.
Oh, if the fresh nettle and/or lemon balm leaves are big, you can snip them to better accommodate the size of your cup or glass. And, as they steep they will sink to the bottom so you won't be sipping leaves instead of the tea!
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