Pine Needle Tea
User Reviews
5
Pine Needle Tea
Description
Pine Needle Tea preparation starts by removing needles from woody stems, discarding any brown or damaged parts, then rinsing and drying the needles. Boiling water is poured over the needles in a covered pot or French press to steep for about 15 minutes. The infusion releases pine's aromatic notes into the tea, creating a fragrant herbal drink. After steeping, needles are strained out through a mesh sieve.
The tea offers a fresh, resinous flavor characteristic of pine needles and can be served hot with optional lemon slices or sweeteners. For a refreshing option, it can be chilled and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days.
Safety is considered by avoiding certain pine varieties known to be harmful, especially to pregnant women, and ensuring correct botanical identification of the pine source before use.
Do not use pine types such as Ponderosa Pine or Yew, as they may be harmful or poisonous.Confirm the identification of the pine tree before harvesting needles to avoid poisonous look-alikes.The tea can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days and served iced.
Ingredients
- ½ cup pine needles See Recipe Notes, about 3 needle clusters, Eastern White Pine
- 3 cups water
- 2 lemon slices, optional
- 1 teaspoon sugar or honey, optional, use more or less to taste
Herbal Tea Variations (Choose 1, or use smaller amounts of each):
- thyme 2-3 sprigs fresh
- mint 2-3 springs, fresh
Instructions
- Remove pine needles from the woody stems. Trim off any brown needles. Rinse needles with cold water. Set needles aside to dry.
- Bring tea water to a boil. Pour into a teapot, saucepan, or a French Press.
- Add needles to the water. Add any additional ingredients (except lemon). Cover pot. Steep about 15 minutes.
- Strain out the needles by pouring tea into glasses through a mesh sieve.
- Serve hot, with lemon if desired. For iced tea: make a larger batch of tea, let the tea cool slightly, and then store in a pitcher or glass jar in the fridge. Use within 2-3 days.
Notes
- AVOID using the following types of pine: Ponderosa Pine: May be harmful, especially to pregnant women
- Yew Trees (Pine Look-a-likes): Poisonous
- Any type of pine tree that you have not positively identified
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 14 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 8oz | |
| Calories | 14kcal | 1% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Sodium | 18mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 31mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 49IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 19mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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