For most of the dried teas offered on our site, a general rule is to use approx. 1 teaspoon for each 8oz to 16 oz. cup and steep with hot water for 1- 4 minutes or to your taste. 

Customers often make and create nourishing water based teas as infusions or as a decoction from our bulk herbs found in the upper part of the building and also on this site.

HERBAL TEA – For most of the dried teas offered on our site
Steep 1 teaspoon per 8-16oz. cup of hot water for 2-4 minutes or to your taste preference and strain. Be sure to add the mash to your compost. Herbal teas with harder components could benefit from a light crushing with a metate or similar method to expose more surface area for better extraction. Add honey if you like!

BLACK  TEA
The leaves for some of these teas can be very large and should have plenty of room to unfurl.  A strainer that fits on top of your cup works best. Use one teaspoon or to your preference for an 8-16oz. cup and steep 2 to 4 minutes at approx. 190˚ to 200˚ hot water. Try adding cream and a touch of honey to black teas to smooth out the astringency.

GREEN TEA
The leaves of some of these teas can be very large and should have plenty of room to unfurl. A strainer that fits on top of your cup is best. Add one teaspoon to 8oz. water and steep 1 to 3 minutes only at a bit lower temperature between 160˚to 175˚  Green tea becomes bitter at higher temps and with longer brewing times and you most likely will be able to get another infusion from the same leaves. Add the mash to your compost. 

ROOIBOS TEA
Steep 1- to 4 minutes at 175˚to 200˚the longer you steep the stronger the flavor. Please note that Rooibos brews quickly – its best to adjust to your taste. Nice with honey or cream.

A DECOCTION  is typically used for the more “tougher”parts of plants like non dried aromatic seeds, berries, bark and roots and could use a slight crushing to open up more surface area for better extraction. These types of herbs are in our apothecary and our customers often make and create teas from them.

Using approx. 1oz. by weight, dried plant material per quart of water –  Bring the water to a boil add herbs and simmer for 15-20 minutes with lid. Remove from heat, strain and pour into a glass canning jar and keep in fridge.

Herbal teas are often called tisanes.