The Ultimate Guide to Making Calendula Tea
Are you looking to enjoy a soothing cup of tea that not only tastes great but is also packed with health benefits? Look no further than calendula tea. Calendula, also known as pot marigold or Calendula officinalis, is an annual flowering herb that is perfect for brewing a refreshing cup of tea. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about growing, harvesting, and brewing the perfect cup of calendula tea.
What You’ll Learn
- Calendula Cultivation
- How to Harvest the Flowers
- Drying and Storing Tips
- Making Calendula Tea
Calendula Cultivation
Calendula plants are easy to grow, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11. These daisy-like flowers come in gold, orange, or red hues and bloom throughout summer. To cultivate calendula in your garden, you’ll need filtered sunlight, part shade, moderate moisture, and organically-rich, well-draining soil. With a little care, you can expect your calendula plants to reach heights of nine to 24 inches.
Calendula is not only a beautiful addition to your garden but also attracts beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps. By maintaining your plants through pinching back leggy stems and deadheading, you can enjoy optimal blooming throughout the season.
How to Harvest the Flowers
For the perfect cup of calendula tea, you’ll need to harvest the flowers at the right time. The best time to pick calendula flowers is in the late morning after the dew has dried. Look for flowers that are three-quarters open with no blemishes or malformations. Using clean scissors, snip off the flower stems above a pair of leaves and gather them in a basket. Make sure to leave some stems to regrow and bloom again. Harvest enough flowers for immediate use or dry them for future brewing.
Drying and Storing Tips
To preserve a supply of calendula flowers for future teas, you can dry and store them easily. Here’s how:
- Clean the blooms by swishing them in cold water and removing any debris.
- Lay the blossoms in a single layer on linen or paper towels to dry.
- Once dry, spread them out on screens or racks in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.
- Store the dried blossoms in glass jars with tight-fitting lids in a dark, dry cupboard.
Making Calendula Tea
Now that you have harvested and dried your calendula flowers, it’s time to brew the perfect cup of tea. Whether you prefer hot or iced tea, calendula tea offers a sweet fragrance with robust peppery notes.
For Hot Tea:
For a single cup of hot tea, you’ll need boiling water, fresh or dry flowers, and a strainer or infuser. Steep the flowers in boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain into your mug. Serve hot and enjoy the flavors of homegrown calendula.
For Iced Tea:
To make a pitcher of iced calendula tea, boil water and steep the flowers for 10 minutes. Once brewed, strain the tea into a pitcher and cool it to room temperature. Freeze some tea in an ice cube tray and refrigerate the remaining tea. Serve the iced tea with mint for a refreshing twist.
Easy as One-Two-Three
Growing and brewing calendula tea is as easy as harvest, wash, and steep. With its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, calendula tea is not only delicious but also good for you. So, put the kettle on and enjoy a cup of homegrown, home-brewed calendula tea.
Do you grow calendula in your garden? Share your experiences in the comments below!
If you’re interested in learning more about calendula, consider exploring other guides like Common Calendula Pests, Caring for Calendula in Winter, and Making and Using Calendula Oil. Calendula: the perfect choice for a garden herb with a twist.
