Tisane

I know, 'tisane' sounds like it could be some fancy French tea ceremony, but it's basically an infusion of herbs, flowers, and/or spices! And because it's caffeine-free, you can have it at any time of the day!

It’s a perfect drink to accompany you when winding down, journaling, reading… you name it. It’s become a habit of mine to make a pot at night after dinner. I find the warmth and subtle flavour very soothing for my tummy.

The practice of making a tisane doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need to run to the supermarket to buy tea bags. Common garden herbs will do! Using fresh herbs allows the plants’ essential oils to be released, resulting in more flavour.

Here, I’m using fresh herbs (more specifically, mint, lemon balm and marigold leaves) from my Grobrix.

It may not look like it will taste like much, but trust me when I say this drink can pack a flavourful punch! 

Here are some examples of herb combinations you could try:

1. Lemon balm
   A member of the mint family, and my favourite! A little goes a long way with this herb. You can also freeze them and it’ll stay just as fresh. This helps to reduce food waste if you end up having way too much on your hand before using it up in time. 

2. Lemongrass

   Since the top half isn't edible and is usually left out when cooking, this is a great way to use it up! It's another favourite of mine.

3. Marigold leaves

4. Mint

5. Purple shiso

   It’s a relative of mint and pairs well with it. It has hints of fennel and spice, which adds a nice complexity!

6. Rosemary

7. Sage

8. Thyme

   This is good with fresh lemon, or with sage.

To further customise your tisane, you can try:

• Adding honey, ginger and lemon slices

• Adding it to any teas you may already have at home. For example, try adding lemon balm to chamomile tea.

• Making it into an iced tea. To do that, you can double the amount of herbs to keep the concentration. Let the tea come to room temperature then add ice.

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A post shared by Charlotte Mei de Drouas (@thecharlottemei)

THE RECIPE

Ingredients

• Fresh herbs of your preference

• Hot water (as much as you like)

Directions

1. Bring water to a boil.

2. Place herbs of choice in teapot/cup and pour in freshly boiled water. Steep for 3 minutes.

3. Strain and serve.

Notes

• Take some precautions if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor to check if there are any herbs you need to limit.

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DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

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