Did you know that you can make your own dried tea and create your own flavour blend? Drying your own tea is a great way to enjoy your favourite flavours all year round. By drying citrus, apples, raspberries, strawberries and herbs, you can compose your favourite tea with natural additions any time of year. Not only do you save money, but you also have full control over the quality of the drink you are drinking.
Why should you dry your own tea?
Drying tea yourself and preparing the right tea blend has many advantages. First of all, you choose the all-natural ingredients you like yourself. You are free to experiment by combining different herbs, fruits, flowers and leaves to create your own and unique composition. Besides, making your own tea avoids artificial flavours, colours, preservatives and unnecessary additives that are often found in ready-made tea blends. Drying your own tea is also a great way to make use of seasonal fruits and herbs, which can be difficult to store in fresh form.
tea blend
Air drying tea yourself
There are several methods of drying tea blend that can be used. One of the most popular is air drying. Simply select fresh herbs, fruits, flowers or leaves, wash them thoroughly and pre-dry them. Then place them on a strainer or put them in transparent organza pouches or cotton bags and hang them so that they have access to air on all sides. You can hang the bags in an airy place and wait for the result. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that air-drying can take some time. Depending on the type of ingredients and the weather conditions, you will have to wait a few days or more.
Infusion of dried lavender flowers
Quick drying of tea in the oven or fruit dryer
If you want a quick drying process, you can use the oven. Simply spread the natural ingredients on a baking tray lined with baking paper and place in a slightly heated oven. It is important that the temperature is low, around 50-60 degrees Celsius. An oven that is too hot could burn or dry out the tea ingredients too much. Oven drying usually takes about 2-3 hours. Fruits, herbs and peels can also be dried in a fruit dryer. This is a very convenient solution, especially if you plan to prepare larger quantities of tea. All you have to do is place the ingredients on the drying trays and switch on the appliance. Drying in a fruit dryer is quite fast and effective, usually taking about 4-6 hours, depending on the ingredients.
What ingredients can you use to make your own tea?
You can make your own tea blend using herbs, fruits, flowers and aromatic spices. The most popular ingredients are:
- herbs: mint, lemon balm, chamomile, lavender, nettle, basil, sage.
- fruits: apples, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, apricots, pears,
- flowers: rose, hibiscus, violet, cornflower, jasmine flowers, calendula,
- aromatic peel: orange, lemon, lime,
- aromatic spices: cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, pepper, aniseed,
- roots: ginger, turmeric, liquorice,
- others: pieces of sandalwood bark, pieces of cocoa bark, dried algae.
You can dry all these ingredients yourself and combine them according to your preferences. You can create different proportions and experiment to find the perfect blend for you. Keep in mind, however, that some of them may have a stronger flavour or aroma, so it is advisable to start with smaller amounts and gradually increase the proportions.
Aromatic tea blend
How do you make your own tea blend?
Drying your tea ingredients is just the beginning. Now you can create your own original blend. By preparing the tea yourself, you will get a unique taste and aroma. Below are some suggestions for such blends with their properties:
- Relaxation blend: lemon balm, chamomile, lavender,
- Citrus blend: lemon peel, orange peel, mint,
- Mixture for improving digestion: ginger, fennel, coriander,
- Fruit blend: raspberries, apples, berries,
- Spice blend: cinnamon, cardamom, star anise,
- Exotic blend: hibiscus, jasmine flowers, sandalwood bark pieces.
Many ingredients possess medicinal properties: mint aids digestion and alleviates colds, while chamomile offers relaxing and anti-inflammatory effects. Nettle is recommended for kidney stones due to its diuretic properties. Additionally, lavender herbal teas stand out for their calming properties, renowned for reducing stress and enhancing sleep quality, as well as potentially relieving headaches and muscle tension. These attributes make herbal teas not only a delightful beverage but also a natural way to support health and well-being.
Lavender tea made from dried lavender flowers
How to store dried tea?
After drying the tea, it’s crucial to store it correctly to maintain its fresh flavor and scent. Optimal storage involves tightly sealing the dried tea in jars or opaque glass containers to shield it from light. Keep the tea away from moisture and heat. Remember to label the container with the date of storage for tracking consumption. Whether storing individual tea components or blends, separating the ingredients allows flexibility in creating desired proportions according to preference.
How do I brew fruit and herb tea?
Brewing your own tea is very simple. All you need to do is boil water, put the desired amount of tea mixture in a cup or pot, pour in the boiling water and leave it to steep for a few minutes. You can use a regular mug or opt for a special teapot for brewing leaf tea. The steeping time depends on your taste preferences and the type of tea. Remember not to overdo the amount of input so that the infusion does not become too strong and strong. You can also add suitable additives to such tea, such as honey, sugar or lemon. This will enhance its flavour and aroma.
Temperature and brewing time of the tea
The temperature and steeping time of the tea are highly dependent on the type of tea. The coolest water temperature of 75-85°C is ideal for green tea. 80-85°C, on the other hand, is the right temperature for steeping white tea and 85-95°C for black tea. The optimum temperature for herbal and fruit blends is as high as 90-100°C. When it comes to steeping time, green tea also needs the least amount of it, just 2-3 minutes. Black tea should be steeped for 3-5 minutes and white tea for 4-5 minutes. Herbal and fruit teas should be brewed for 5 to 7 minutes. Sometimes it is worth straining such a mixture through a sieve after brewing to obtain a clear drink.
Medicinal lavender flavoured tea
Drying tea yourself as a small gift idea
Making your own tea in elegant pouches – the perfect gift idea
Self-prepared tea is also a great idea for a small gift. You can prepare such mixtures in elegant linen, organza or satin pouches and attach a suitable dedication. Personalised prints with greetings or a festive theme can be placed on the pouches. This is the perfect gift for a variety of occasions. It is not expensive and will certainly bring a lot of joy to the recipient. It can be a Christmas gift or a gift for clients. Elegantly packaged tea is also the perfect accompaniment to chocolates or other sweets.
Tea created to your taste as a gift
Your own tea blend – why is it worth it?
Drying herbs, flowers and fruits is a great way to get the perfect ingredients for your tea blend. With your own tea, you can enjoy aromatic and tasty infusions all year round. Drying your own tea allows you to have full control over the composition and quality of your drink, and creating your own blends brings the opportunity to experiment and discover new flavours. Regardless of the method of drying, remember to store the tea properly, which allows the intense aroma and flavour to be preserved. Preparing and brewing such a tea is a very simple operation that allows you to enjoy your favourite flavours, tailored to your own tastes. Many herbs and ingredients also have medicinal and preventive properties that are worth considering. I don’t think you need any more convincing? Just start the adventure with your own tea.
