Servings
Font
Back
0 from 24 votes

Pine Needle Tea

This is an easy foraging recipe for the nourishing and vitamin C-packed pine needle tea.

Prep Time
5 mins
Steeping Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 14 kcal
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (~3 needle clusters) Eastern White Pine needles See Recipe Notes
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 slices lemon, optional
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or honey, optional (use more or less to taste)
Herbal Tea Variations (Choose 1, or use smaller amounts of each):
  • 2-3 springs fresh thyme
  • 2-3 springs fresh mint

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Remove pine needles from the woody stems.  Trim off any brown needles.  Rinse needles with cold water.  Set needles aside to dry.
  2. Bring tea water to a boil. Pour into a teapot, saucepan, or a French Press.
  3. Add needles to the water.  Add any additional ingredients (except lemon).  Cover pot.  Steep about 15 minutes.
  4. Strain out the needles by pouring tea into glasses through a mesh sieve.
  5. 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

Serving 8oz Calories 14kcal (1%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 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%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 14

% 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.