7 herbs to add to your grocery list for fresh herbal teas

There’s nothing quite like a cup of fresh herbal tea!

I’ve been growing herbs for over 20 years. I started by growing them in small containers when I lived in an apartment without a yard. I placed a variety of herbs in all the south facing windows and I build light fixtures and shelving for them in previously dark areas.

I bought my home in Burlington, CT over 10 years ago and now have plenty of space for gardens outdoors. I now have over 80 trees, bushes, and small plants that can be used for teas. Some are native plants like sweet fern, pine, and mugwort. Others were given to me by friends when their plants spread, like the raspberry bushes and hops.

Many were collected over the years during my spring visits to the garden center with my mom–my absolute favorite time of year!

My mom loves petunias!

I love adding to my tea gardens …each year searching for a new herb to try out.

Last year, I found Cerasee also know as Jamaican Bush tea. I was told it was new to the nursery that year, cultivated from cuttings by a gardener from Jamaica.

There always seems to be something new and exciting to try.

One of my favorite things to do is to invite friends over for some great conversation and a cup of tea…especially if it’s made from fresh herbs!

You don’t have to be a gardener or have years of experience to create fresh herbal teas.

Here are 7 herbs for teas that can be found in most grocery stores in the produce section:

sage
thyme
mint
rosemary
lemon grass
ginger
lemon (peel)

Using these herbs is a great way to start learning how to create your own tea blends.

Herbal teas are easy to prepare for guests and will leave them curious and excited about your creations.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Start simple.

Try each herb on its own so you can get to know the flavors. Using the guide “How to brew loose leaf teas”, instead of placing dried herbs in your basket infuser, use fresh herbs.

For an 8-10 ounce cup of tea, use ONE of the following:

Sage: 3-4 leaves

Thyme: 3 to 4 inch sprig

Mint: 3-4 leaves

Rosemary: 1 to 2 inch sprig

Lemon grass: 1-2 inch, sliced

Ginger: 1 slice

Lemon peel: 1 slice

2. Try a combination of fresh herbs

Try combinations of two, then three or more herbs.

Try some lemon peel with mint and ginger.

Or lemon grass with thyme.

Or rosemary, thyme, and ginger.

Keep mixing it up!

3. The combination of all 7 fresh herbs is delicious!

Here’s one of my favorite recipes! I love that I can make fresh herbal tea even in the winter months with the same herbs I use for my favorite meals.

7 Herb Herbal Tea Recipe:

2 inch sprig rosemary

2 inch sprig thyme

5 mint leaves

2-3 sage leaves

1 inch stalk lemon grass, sliced

1 thick slice ginger

1 slice of lemon peel

Place the herbs in a 16 ounce canning jar.

Boil the water and then allow the water to cool for 30 seconds.

Pour the water over herbs and allow the herbs to steep for 5-10 minutes.

Strain the herbs by placing a basket infuser in an empty canning jar and then pour the contents of your infusion into the new jar.

Enjoy your tea hot or place the jar in a refrigerator overnight and enjoy a refreshing cold blend.

Here are some more herbs from the grocery store that you can try out:
basil, parsley, cilantro, orange peel

Be sure to write down your favorite blends in your journal or on recipe cards.

Invite a few friends over and enjoy a cup of tea together.