Homemade Fruit and Berry Herbal Tea

So I've decided to continue my summer berry countdown with: Red and Black Currants. This homemade tea has a lot more than currants to it but I think that it's safe to say that the two prominent flavours I get from this tea are definitely red and black currants. 

Seriously though if like drinking tea then just this once try making your own homemade tea. it's so easy to make and totally worth it. The best time to make it is summertime when fruit and berries are at their peak. It's still warm enough outside to sundry all the fruit, berries and leaves you'll need to make tea. 

Both currants are known for their high content of vitamin C which has vital protective antioxidant properties. Just by drinking the tea with these berries/berry leaves you add to your vitamin C intake. Both red and black currants can ease the symptoms of rheumatism, arthritis and gout.

They are both very high in fiber, which helps in the proper functioning of the digestive system as well as the development of the appropriate gut micro-flora. With all these health benefit associated with these to berries it only makes sense to add them to this tea not mention the delicious tart flavour it adds too!!

Just think while sipping on this homemade fruit and berry tea not only will you enjoy the delicious flavour but you'll be boosting your immune system too!! And it gives you one more tasty reason to take a break during the day to sit down, relax and drink tea. If anyone asks just tell them you're in therapy, even Dr. OZ says so!  

All you need for this homemade tea is your favorite fruit, berries and edible leaves. Here's my recipe:

~ Katya Homemade Fruit and Berry Tea ~

Dried red currants

Dried black currants

Black currant leaves

Dried raspberries

Dried raspberry leaves

Apple leaves

Wild blueberry leaves

Saskatoon berries

Fire weed flowers and leaves

Rose hips



Smaller batch - approx. 2 cups per ingredient
Larger batch - approx. 4 cups per ingredient 

Gather the berries when they are ripe and ready. Wash, dry and de-stem any berries that you need to. Place the berries on a cookie sheet single layer and place in a warm, sunny place to dry. You can use a dehydrator if you have one.

***Tip: Best place to dry the cookie sheet with fruit, berries or leaves is in your car. Sounds silly but it works great. In the summer your car has a tendency to be really hot, so it's the perfect place. It hot, bug free and you can usually get the tea ingredients dried in a day!! Bonus is your car smell fruity and great*** 

Collect nice, green fresh undamaged leaves from a clean area. Wash and dry the leaves, then dry single layer on a sheet or with a dehydrator. If you cut off a whole branch, of leaves, you can hang then from the ceiling to dry at room temperature. 

Make sure your fruit, berries and leaves are completely dry before storing to avoid mold.They should be stored in a glass jars in the dark, but Ziploc bags work too. You can mix the tea ingredients together or store each ingredient separately.

These are the fruit, berry and leaves I chose but you can use your own favorite ingredients: mint, lemon balm, strawberries, dried apple chunks, thyme....be creative. Only ever use fruit, berry and leaves from plants you can identify for certain.

If your making a smaller batch of homemade tea then use 2 cups per ingredient. Once the berries and leaves dry they will shrink to have the amount. I make a large batch right away because this tea is so good and I need it to last through the fall and winter. 

Smiley Face

~ Steeping your herbal tea ~

Combine 1/4 cup scoop of each tea ingredient in a bowl. Add the fruit and berry tea ingredients into a 

clean coffee press.....or

brew the fruit and berry tea in a pot...

 Pour boiling water over the tea.

Let it steep for 5-7 minutes. Keep it warm on a warmer and enjoy your tea all day. Most herbal teas are not bitter, so sweetener is unnecessary although a little bit of honey is always a great addition.

Nothing warms you up better than a warm cup of tea on a cold winter day!! 

Making your own herbal infusions is fun and easy!! No matter what the recipe, you'll feel good, literally, after drinking what you've made.

Homemade herbal teas also make great gifts! Try making some, you'll be glad you did !

If you like tea as much as me check out my tea inspire Pinterest page, it's all about tea!! 

Thanks for stopping by, 
time for some tea therapy for me. Till next time:)

Great news to all you tea lovers out there, Ikea has glass tea brewer, and the best part is they're cheap. 

Works like a charm too. My sister bought one for my mom and she loves it :)

Source: tumblr.com via Katya on Pinterest

Love,
 Katya