Published: American TurkNetwork Magazine, Washington DC, March 2025 , "CULINARY CHRONICLES"
If your living area is suitable for growing edible flowers, I strongly recommend creating a “flower tea garden”. It is a delightful hobby and a meaningful activity to share with loved ones. Not only is it eco-friendly and informative, but flowers - and the teas they produce- carry their own unique stories.
You can find information about edible plants through your county park management, the USDA or American Herbalists Guild. Explore the rich cultural and native edible flowers of the DMV area. By embracing the historical, cultural significance of herbal and flower teas, we can celebrate Maryland’s/DMV’s heritage while enjoying tea ceremonies.
Edible herbs and flowers provide an engaging educational experience. Imaging seasonal tea-tasting chats with loved ones, sharing the best blending combinations, and brewing techniques. Picture weekly herb-talk and flower-walk activity, observing local flora or even the plants in your own backyard. These activities not only create memorable experiences but also raise awareness about the importance of supporting local agriculture.
Additionally, eco-friendly ventures like selling flower tea kits or sharing your knowledge in a recipe book could become valuable revenue streams and even passive income. For health and wellness benefits of the edible herbs and flowers, it’s always a good idea to consult with your dietitian and medical doctor.
The culinary world has long celebrated the versatility of edible herbs and flowers. They’re used to add flavor to snacks and cookies, decorate cakes, and enhance syrups, sherbets, jams, salad dressings, soups, vinegars, and oils. By integrating these plants into everyday meals, we can elevate both the taste and aesthetic appeal of our dishes.
With Spring, the perfect planting season, just around the corner. Let’s dive into some tips to get started:
Harvesting Edible Herbs and Flowers for Tea
Harvesting plays a crucial role in preserving the quality and flavor of herbs and flowers. To encourage continuous growth, it is essential to harvest regularly, preventing the plants from flowering and seeding. The best time to harvest is in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. This “golden hour” ensures optimal freshness and potency.
Avoid harvesting under direct sunlight or late in the evening, as these conditions can diminish the plant’s natural oils. Using proper harvesting techniques ensures better-tasting teas, where every sip celebrates the essence of the plant. Additionally, using clean, sharpened scissors or knives help protect the plant for future growth and enhances the flavor of your tea.
Preparing Herbal and Flower Teas
There are several methods to prepare herbal and flower teas, each designed to bring out unique flavors and benefits:
- Infusion Method: This method is ideal for most herbal and flower teas. Heat water to around 185°F to194°F and slowly pour it over the tea in a circular motion, mimicking the Earth’s orbit. This slow pour enhances the infusion process, releasing the plant’s oils gently for a pleasant flavor.
- Decoction Method: For seeds and roots, the decoction method works best. Simmer the ingredients in boiling water for about 5 to 9 minutes to extract their robust flavors.
- Iced Teas: To create refreshing iced teas, prepare the tea as usual and let it cool before refrigerating. Serve with ice cubes for a revitalizing drink, perfect for summer gatherings.
A Pinch of History
The history of herbal and flower teas in Maryland and North America is as rich as the flavors they produce. During the colonial era, these teas symbolized not only health and comfort but also resilience and independence. After the Boston Tea Party of 1773, colonists boycotted British tea turning to native plants as substitutes. Bee Balm, also known as Oswego Tea, offered a minty flavor, while Goldenrod was valued for both its taste and medicinal uses.
One popular colonial tea blend was “Liberty Teas”, which combined mint, balm, rosemary, and sage. This mixture gained significance during the American Revolution as a patriotic alternative to British tea. Maryland honors this legacy with the annual Chestertown Tea Party Festival, held on Memorial Day weekend, celebrating the state’s historical ties to tea.
Native American traditions also influenced herbal tea culture. For example, mint was used for soothing, chamomile for calming, and elderflower for treating colds. Interestingly, the use of medicinal and homegrown teas in the U.S. is very similar to the medicinal use of herbs and flowers in Turkish traditions. In colonial homes, herbal teas were often brewed for health purposes. Over time, lavender had been used to relieve headaches, horehound for respiratory issues, and rosemary for digestion. Many households grew herbs like peppermint and raspberry leaves in their gardens, ensuring a steady supply of homegrown remedies.
Whether through a cup of Liberty Tea or a refreshing iced blend, these plants remind us of the enduring power of nature to connect and inspire. Enjoy your tea!
Here are some combinations and recipes:
Lavender Tea: Tangy flavor
How to brew: 1 teaspoon of dried equals to 3 teaspoons of gently crushed fresh leaves. Water temperature should be 85C/185°F -90C/194°F. Use the small flowers.
Other Good Combinations: 1/1
Lavender & Chamomile,
Rosemary & Lavender
Lavender Sugar: 1:4 ratio
1 cup dried lavender, 4 cups granulated sugar
Method: Combine dried lavender and sugar, let it rest for 2-3 weeks. Sift the sugar to remove the flowers, keep the flavored sugar in an airtight container.
Pink Rose & Lavender Tea
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon dried pink rose petals
½ teaspoon dried lavender flowers
1 pint (85C/185F-90C/194F) water
Honey/sugar to taste
Directions:
• Place the flowers in a teapot. Pour the 185F (not boiling) water over the flowers by moving it in a circular-vortex spiral motion, like Earth’s orbital, slowly.
• Let it sit for 3-5 minutes, until the flowers sink. Sieve the tea into cups, serve with sugar or honey.
Bon Appetit!
Chamomile & Hibiscus
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon dried chamomile
1 pinch hibiscus
1 quart water
¼ lemon slice
Sugar or honey to taste
Directions:
• Place the flowers warm teapot.
• Slowly pour the 185F (not boiling) water, over the flowers in a circular-vortex spiral motion, mimicking the Earth’s orbit.
• Let it sit for 5 minutes, then add the lemon slice and the remaining water. Let it steep for a minute. Sieve the tea and pour it into cups.
Bon Appetit!
Resources:
• “Colonial Herbs: Their Cultivation and Use in17th-Century America”, by Eleanor Taneyhill
• "Tea in the American Colonies” by Rodris Roth (Smithsonian Publication)
• Maryland Agricultural History: The “Maryland Historical Society”,“Maryland State Archives” often have records on agricultural practices, including herb farming. https://msa.maryland.gov
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