Harvesting Echinacea for Tea
Echinacea is a popular herbal tea enjoyed around the world for its many beneficial health effects. This healing plant can be harvested at home with a few simple steps:
Step 1: Identify Echinacea
Echinacea grows in many parts of North America, typically in sunny areas. It has an upright stem, with large, fragrant leaves and flat-topped clusters of pink-purple flowers. Make sure to properly identify the Echinacea before harvesting as some similar-looking plants may not be suitable for tea.
Step 2: Select Flowers
Choose the top five to seven inches of the stem, where the flowers and buds are located. The flowers will produce the most flavorful tea.
Step 3: Harvest Flowers
To harvest the flowers, cut them off the stem with scissors. Take care not to damage the plant and try to leave a few buds behind, as this will help ensure future harvests.
Step 4: Prepare for Drying
Lay the flowers on a piece of paper or other clean, flat surface in well ventilated area. Make sure to separate the flowers so they do not overlap each other.
Step 5: Dry Flowers
Leave the flowers to dry for two to three days or until they feel crisp.
Step 6: Store
Once the flowers are fully dry, store them in an airtight container. Make sure that the flowers are properly labeled so you know them when they are ready to use.
Step 7: Make Tea
To make your Echinacea tea, simply add one to two teaspoons of the dried flowers to a cup of boiling water and steep for 5-10 minutes. The result is a fragrant and healing herbal tea that can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Additional Tips:
- Pick fresh Echinacea flowers when the petals and buds are still closed and before any insects have eaten them.
- Be sure not to harvest more than a third of any single plant.
- For the best flavor, harvest and dry the flowers in early summer before they turn brown.
Harvesting your own Echinacea is a rewarding experience that will help you enjoy this healing tea all year long. With a little bit of effort, harvesting and preparing Echinacea for tea is easy and will provide you with a delicious herbal beverage to enjoy.
