In a world filled with hustle and bustle, finding moments of peace and tranquility is essential for our well-being. Enter Lavender tea, a fragrant and soothing beverage that not only delights the senses but also offers a myriad of health benefits. In this blog post, we'll explore a simple recipe for lavender tea and uncover its nutritional facts, so you can sip your way to relaxation and wellness.
Benefits of Lavender Tea:
- Stress Relief: Lavender tea's calming aroma can help reduce stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation and a sense of well-being.
- Improved Sleep: Sipping lavender tea before bedtime can help you unwind and enjoy a more restful night's sleep.
- Digestive Aid: Lavender tea may aid digestion and relieve gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating and indigestion.
- Antioxidant Support: Lavender contains antioxidants that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, supporting overall health and longevity.
- Mood Enhancement: The pleasant aroma of lavender tea can uplift the mood and promote feelings of happiness and contentment.
Indulge in the soothing benefits of lavender tea with this simple recipe. Whether enjoyed as a bedtime ritual or a midday escape, lavender tea offers a fragrant and flavorful way to relax and unwind. With its calming properties and numerous health benefits, it's the perfect beverage for nourishing both body and soul. So brew yourself a cup of lavender tea, take a deep breath, and savor the moments of serenity it brings.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @earthtolorraine on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Lavender Milk Tea Recipe:
Ingredients & Nutrition
Instructions:
- Bring two cups of water to a (close to) boil in a small saucepan. For prepping we use a coffee press for a smoother cleanup, and no need for a strainer. Remember to rinse with medium hot water so that when you pour the water it does not break the glass of the coffee press.
- Once the water is close to boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Add two teaspoons - 1 tablespoon of dried lavender buds to the coffee press (this depends on how strong you prefer the lavender flavor to be present in your tea).
- Pour the water into the coffee press. Cover the coffee press and let the lavender steep for about 5-10 minutes, depending on your desired strength of flavor. The color will change from clear to yellowish to pinkish (this will also help you understand how much the lavender has infused into the water).
- Press down the coffee press button, which will strain/separate the tea using a fine mesh strainer. If you do not have a coffee press use a tea infuser or strainer to remove the lavender buds.
- If desired, sweeten the tea with honey or your preferred sweetener while it's still warm, stirring until dissolved.
- Pour the lavender tea into cups or mugs, filled with 8oz of your preferred plant milk. Garnish with lemon slices if desired, and serve hot or iced.
Choosing culinary-grade lavender
Not all lavender sold is meant for consumption — some dried lavender sold for crafts or sachets is treated with substances not intended to be ingested. Look specifically for lavender labeled "culinary grade" or "food grade," usually found in the spice or tea section rather than the potpourri aisle. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the variety most commonly used for tea and cooking, since it has a sweeter, less camphorous flavor than some other lavender species.
Tips for the best cup
Start with less lavender than you think you need. Lavender's flavor turns soapy and overpowering quickly if oversteeped or over-measured — it's much easier to steep a second batch stronger than to fix an already-bitter cup.
Warm the milk gently if serving hot, rather than boiling it, to avoid a skin forming on top and to keep the flavor from turning slightly scorched.
For an iced version, brew the lavender tea a bit stronger than usual, since ice will dilute it as it melts, then pour over ice with cold plant milk.
Variations worth trying
A small pinch of dried chamomile steeped alongside the lavender makes for an even more calming, bedtime-leaning blend. For a London Fog-style twist, steep a bag of Earl Grey alongside the lavender for the final minute or two of steeping, which adds a citrusy bergamot note that pairs surprisingly well.
Frequently asked questions
Is lavender tea safe to drink every day? In the small amounts used for flavoring tea, lavender is considered generally safe for regular consumption by most people. As with any herbal tea, if you're pregnant, nursing, or on medication, it's worth checking with a doctor first.
Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried? Yes, though you'll want roughly three times as much fresh lavender as dried, since drying concentrates the flavor. Make sure any fresh lavender used is explicitly food-safe and grown without pesticides.