How to Make Herbal Tea in a French Press
Most of us are used to making tea from a tea bag; pulling a bag from the box and plopping it straight into a cup. Although I love this very convenient option, making herbal tea in a french press is my preferred method, an experience for all the senses.
Making tea this way can lead to an end product that is fresher and more potent. It allows you to use dried or fresh loose herbs and to have way more control over what herbs go into your blend. You will need to have loose herbs on hand for this method, either fresh or dried. If you have a local natural or health food store, try popping in there and seeing if they have a bulk herb section. Otherwise Mountain Rose Herbs is a great organic, online source.
Oh, did I mention this method is way more economical?
Here’s what you’ll need:
A french press
Loose fresh or dried herbs, chopped
A little less than 32 oz. of freshly boiled water
The basic ratio for making an herbal tea in this way is 1 oz. herb to 32 fl. oz. water or about 1 teaspoon of herbs to a cup of water. Now this is at minimum, but feel free to make a stronger tea by upping the herb amount.
Exposing surface area is important, so make sure your herbs are chopped, the more area exposes the more medicine pulled.
Throw your herbs in to the french press, freshly boiled water on top and leave to steep for 30 minutes up to a few hours. Strain when ready.
A slight variation on this method is to use your refrigerator (my personal favorite way). In this method you can use freshly boiled water or cold water but you’ll put the french press into your refrigerator for about 8 hours to steep. A great time to do this is right before bed! I love using this method with mucilaginous herbs like Marshmallow root which really shine in longer and cold infusions.
Any questions? Let me know in the comments! And if you have a favorite herbal tea combo let me know as well :)
