Lavender can be a wonderful addition to tea, offering a unique floral aroma and a soothing, calming flavor. Many people enjoy lavender tea for its potential relaxing properties.
Here's what you need to know:
1. Use Culinary-Grade Lavender: This is the most crucial point. Just like with making lavender syrup for consumption, you must use culinary-grade English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) when adding it to tea. This variety has a sweeter, less camphorous flavor, making it suitable for internal use. Do NOT use essential oils or lavender from ornamental plants that may have been treated with pesticides not intended for ingestion.
2. How to Add Lavender to Tea:
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As a Stand-Alone Herbal Tea: You can brew lavender on its own.
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Ratio: Start with 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried culinary lavender buds per 8-10 ounces of hot water. If using fresh lavender, you might use 1-2 tablespoons.
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Steeping: Place the lavender buds in a tea infuser, tea ball, or directly in your mug/teapot. Pour hot water (just off the boil, around 195°-205°F / 90°-96°C) over the lavender.
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Steeping Time: Steep for 3 to 5 minutes. This is very important! Over-steeping lavender can lead to a bitter or "soapy" taste. Some sources suggest up to 10 minutes, but it's best to start shorter and adjust to your preference.
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Strain: If you steeped directly in the mug, strain the tea before drinking.
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Optional Additions: Lavender tea pairs well with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (which can also turn the tea a beautiful pinkish hue!), a spoonful of honey, or a slice of ginger.
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Blended with Other Teas: Lavender's flavor can be quite strong on its own, so it's often blended with other teas or herbs. This allows its unique notes to complement rather than overpower.
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Black Teas: A popular combination is Earl Grey with lavender (sometimes called "Lady Grey" in some custom blends, though Twinings' Lady Grey is lemon and orange). The bergamot in Earl Grey harmonizes well with lavender. Other black teas like Assam or Darjeeling can also work.
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Green Teas: A subtle addition to green tea can create a refreshing and aromatic brew.
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Herbal Teas: Lavender blends beautifully with other calming herbs like chamomile for a relaxing bedtime tea, or with mint for a refreshing and uplifting brew. Rose petals also make a lovely floral blend.
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3. Tips for the Best Lavender Tea:
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Quality Matters: Use high-quality, fresh-looking dried lavender buds.
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Don't Over-Steep: As mentioned, this is key to avoiding bitterness.
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Don't Grind: Use whole lavender buds. Grinding them can release too many essential oils too quickly, leading to a strong, unpleasantly bitter flavor.
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Experiment: Start with less lavender and increase the amount gradually in future brews until you find your preferred strength.
Potential Benefits of Lavender Tea:
Many people drink lavender tea for its perceived calming and relaxing effects. While research is ongoing, lavender is traditionally associated with:
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Stress and Anxiety Relief: Its aroma is often used in aromatherapy for relaxation.
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Improved Sleep: Often consumed before bed to promote restful sleep.
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Digestive Comfort: May help soothe minor digestive upset.
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Anti-inflammatory Properties: Contains compounds with potential anti-inflammatory effects.