Herbal tea

Name: Herbal tea
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1000 ml Water; 6 g Dried mint leaves; 6 g Dried lemon balm; 6 g Dried linden flowers; 3 g Dried ginger; 80 ml Honey; 50 szt. Lemon (half); 2 g Ground cinnamon

Christmas Eve Dinner Drinks 20 min Easy 12 wyświetleń ~9.46 PLN - (0)

Description

Herbal tea is a delicate, aromatic drink made from dried herbs: mint, lemon balm, and linden flowers, with the addition of dried ginger. It is a caffeine-free beverage, often served in Poland during winter and festive gatherings, such as Christmas Eve, as it soothes colds, warms the body, and calms the stomach. The infusion has a golden-amber color, a fresh mint aroma, and a citrus note from the lemon balm with a subtle, spicy hint of ginger. It can be served in elegant teapots or porcelain cups, optionally with a slice of lemon and a teaspoon of honey. Visually, it pairs well with a sprig of fresh mint or a cinnamon stick, and the flavor can be gently enhanced with cinnamon or honey to taste.

Składniki (8)

Servings:

Water 1000 ml
Dried mint leaves 6 g
Dried lemon balm 6 g
Dried linden flowers 6 g
Dried ginger 3 g
✨ Opcjonalne
Honey 80 ml
Lemon (half) 0.5 szt.
Ground cinnamon 2 g

💰 Szacowany koszt dania: ~9.46 PLN (2.36 PLN/porcję)

💡 Kliknij na składnik aby oznaczyć jako użyty

Preparation steps

Preparation

Prepare all the utensils and ingredients: weigh out dried mint leaves (6 g), lemon balm (6 g), linden flowers (6 g), and dried ginger (3 g). Measure 1000 ml of water in a kettle or pot. If you have honey and lemon, prepare them nearby. Set up a fine sieve or infuser and a large pitcher or porcelain teapot.

Ingredients: Dried mint leaves, Dried lemon balm, Dried linden flowers, Dried ginger, Water

Use a digital kitchen scale to accurately weigh dried herbs. The best vessels are a porcelain teapot or a glass jug with a capacity of at least 1 liter. Do not use a metal strainer with large holes — a fine tea strainer is better.

Heating

Pour 1000 ml of water into the kettle and bring it to a boil. When the water starts to boil, turn off the kettle and wait 30 seconds to 1 minute for the temperature to drop to about 95°C. For brewing herbs, it's best to use water that has just cooled slightly (95–100°C) to extract the essential oils without burning the delicate flowers.

Ingredients: Water

Use an electric kettle with temperature control if you have one. If not, boil the water and wait 30–60 seconds before pouring it over the herbs. Do not pour boiling water that is bubbling vigorously over the herbs – letting it cool slightly will enhance the flavor.

Brewing

Pour the measured dried mint leaves, lemon balm, linden flowers, and dried ginger directly into a teapot or into an infuser placed in the teapot. Pour hot water (about 95°C) over the herbs so that they are completely covered. Cover the teapot with a lid or a small plate to retain the aroma and heat. Let it steep for 8–10 minutes: after 8 minutes, the infusion will be subtle and fresh, after 10 minutes it will be fuller, more herbal, and slightly stronger.

Ingredients: Dried mint leaves, Dried lemon balm, Dried linden flowers, Dried ginger, Water

Use a porcelain or glass teapot with a lid. Measure the time with a timer — herbs have different intensities: the longer you steep, the stronger the infusion. If you are using an infuser, make sure the leaves have room to expand.

Draining

After the chosen time (8–10 minutes), strain the infusion through a fine sieve directly into the serving teapot or into cups. Use a spoon to gently press the leaves in the sieve — do not squeeze them hard, as the infusion may become bitter.

Ingredients: Dried mint leaves, Dried lemon balm, Dried linden flowers, Dried ginger

Use a metal or nylon fine sieve and cups warmed with hot water before pouring (warming the cups helps maintain the temperature of the drink). Do not squeeze the herbs too hard.

Seasoning and serving

Serve the infusion hot. If you want to sweeten it, add honey to each cup, 1–2 teaspoons (about 20 g per cup), and mix well. If you're using lemon, add a slice or half a slice to the cup. Optionally, sprinkle a little cinnamon (1/4–1/2 teaspoon per pot) for a spicy aroma. Remember not to add honey to a drink with a temperature above 60°C if you want to preserve some of honey's health benefits.

Ingredients: Honey, Lemon (half), Ground cinnamon

Use a teaspoon for honey and a small measuring spoon for cinnamon. If serving to children under 1 year old, do not add honey. Additionally, you can add a slice of fresh lemon for decoration and tartness.

Serving

Set the cups or mugs on a tray, you can add a sprig of fresh mint or a cinnamon stick as decoration. Serve with a small bowl of honey on the side, so everyone can sweeten the brew to their taste. On Christmas Eve, herbal tea can be served after dinner or between courses, as it is mild and aids digestion.

Ingredients: Water

It looks best in porcelain cups with a light interior — it contrasts with the color of the brew. If you're planning a larger gathering, prepare an extra pot right away.

Storage

If you have leftover infusion, let it cool to room temperature and transfer it to an airtight pitcher or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. To reheat, use a pot over low heat or a microwave — do not bring to a boil to avoid compromising the flavor.

Ingredients: Water, Dried mint leaves, Dried lemon balm, Dried linden flowers, Dried ginger

For storage, glass bottles with a closure are best. Do not keep the infusion at room temperature for long (a maximum of a few hours) to avoid the growth of microorganisms. Heat gently.

Fun Fact

💡

In Poland, infusions made from linden, lemon balm, and mint have a long tradition — linden has been used as a medicinal drink since the Middle Ages. The linden flower is a symbol of hospitality in many regions of Central Europe.

Best for

Wigilia Chłodne wieczory Spotkania rodzinne po obfitym posiłku

Tips

🍽️ Serving

Serve the infusion in warmed cups, decorated with a slice of lemon or a sprig of fresh mint. For Christmas Eve, place small bowls of honey and cinnamon nearby so guests can season the drink to their liking.

🥡 Storage

Store the chilled infusion in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. To refresh the flavor after chilling, gently heat the infusion (max. to 60–70°C) or serve it chilled as a cold drink. Do not add honey before long-term storage.

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Ingredients (8)

Servings:

Water 1000 ml
Dried mint leaves 6 g ~0.24 zł
Dried lemon balm 6 g ~0.24 zł
Dried linden flowers 6 g ~0.36 zł
Dried ginger 3 g ~0.18 zł
✨ Opcjonalne
Honey 80 ml ~8.00 zł
Lemon (half) 0.5 szt. ~0.40 zł
Ground cinnamon 2 g ~0.04 zł

💰 Szacowany koszt dania: ~9.46 PLN (2.36 PLN/porcję)

💡 Kliknij na składnik aby oznaczyć jako użyty

Wartości odżywcze

🔥

327 kcal

Kalorie

Białko 2.6g

Węglowodany 85.1g

Tłuszcze 0.8g

🔥

28 kcal

Kalorie

Białko 0.2g

Węglowodany 7.4g

Tłuszcze 0.1g

Wartości przybliżone, obliczone na podstawie składników

Autor przepisu Pichcik

90 min

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