On our 25th anniversary my husband took me on a wonderful train trip up the west coast from LA to Seattle on a luxury train named the Coastal Star Lighter. We had a lovely sleeping compartment and ate many wonderful gourmet meals all while watching the incredible scenery- everything from surf pounding the coast to snow covered mountains. it was wonderful. Once in Seattle we took the ferry to Victoria, BC and stayed in a magnificent old hotel there, I believe it was called the Princess. I say all this to tell you that was the place I had my first 'high tea'. I was hooked. There is something almost mystical about having a delightful cup of tea with light snacks in a beautiful setting. Once back home I made it my custom to have tea in a lovely old cup I bought at a garage sale at least several times a week. In fact any time my grown daughter or my mother is visiting we take tea, either on the deck if the weather permits or in front of the fire if it doesn't.
Now it didn't take me long to realize that I like herbal tea. And it was even nicer when I understood that the herbs I'd been growing for years made a nice tea, either alone or in combination. so with that said here are some of my favorites. I like to make my teas in a pot that was given to me by a neighbor as a wedding present. You warm the pot with boiling water swirled around it then pour this out. You brew the tea with a clean handful of fresh herbs to your liking and boiling water. Let it brew for five minutes covered with a tea cosy or tea towel. After you pour you can add lemon, sugar, or cream to your taste. Dried lemon peel gives a wonderful flavor also. If you have a dehydrator it is easily made, but it may be bought in bulk too. Below are some easy combinations of herbs.
Lemon Balm, Lavender, & Rosemary
Chamomile & Lavender flowers
Lemon Balm. Chamomile, & Lavender
Lavender & Rosemary
3 or 4 rose hips per cup of tea- I grow old fashioned Seven Sisters Roses just for this purpose- it makes lots of scarlet hips in the Fall.
Most mints make a lovely tea. I especially like a chocolate mint in tea.
Here's a delightful tea made with dried herbs that can be bought in bulk from San Fransico Herb Co.
French Tea- Une Tisane Francoise
2 cups dried lemon balm
1 cup dried mint
1/2 cup dried lavender blossoms
Crush all, store in jar. Put 3 tbsp in coffee filter, tie to make a bag. Steep in tea pot with 6 cups boiling water- Let sit 20 minutes covered. This can be enjoyed warm or iced. One more tip- this makes a nice gift when presented in a small basket with a couple of garage sale tea cups and and embroidered tea towel. Or even presented alone as a filling to a garage sale tea pot.
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