Most people enjoy raspberries and blackberries mainly because of their sweet fruit. But few people know that right now, at the beginning of summer, they offer one more treasure from which you can prepare fragrant homemade tea.
June is really the ideal time for collecting young raspberry and blackberry leaves. They are fresh, full of aromatics and have a milder flavor than older leaves picked later in the summer. Experienced herb lovers use them to prepare a homemade fermented drink, which surprisingly resembles classic black tea after processing. However, it does not contain caffeine and offers a completely original taste experience.
Tea made from rose petals impresses with its delicate aroma, pleasant taste and a number of beneficial effects on the body. Watch the following video to learn how to easily prepare this fragrant drink at home:
Young leaves have the most flavor
Young, healthy and undamaged leaves are most suitable for production. They are best collected in dry weather, when they are not wet from dew or rain. It is then that they retain the most aroma and useful substances.
Raspberry and blackberry leaves also have a long tradition in . They contain a number of natural substances and, after drying, create a delicate infusion with slightly fruity notes. But they acquire the most interesting taste when they go through a simple fermentation process.
After being plucked, the leaves are left to wither for a short time, then rubbed or rolled between the fingers to disrupt their structure. Then it is stored for several hours in a warm place. During this time, a characteristic aroma will develop that is reminiscent of classic tea leaves.
Homemade tea with a surprising aroma
After fermentation, simply dry the leaves in an airy place or at a low temperature. Once they are completely dry, you can store them in a resealable container and use them just like regular loose tea.
The resulting drink will surprise you with a fuller taste, darker color and a slightly sweet aroma reminiscent of quality black tea. That is why it is gaining more and more fans among people who are looking for interesting alternatives to classic teas.
Another advantage is that you can often find raspberry and blackberry trees literally behind the house, in the garden or while walking in nature. You just need to know when is the right time to collect them.
A treasure hidden among the bushes
As long as the leaves of raspberries and blackberries are young and fresh, it is worth using their full potential. You can make a fragrant homemade tea from a few handfuls of collected leaves, which will surprise you with its taste and smell in winter. Sometimes the most interesting ingredients grow where we normally just pass by without noticing.
