My cardiologist said, “No more caffeine.” Full stop. “Do not pass go, do not collect $200”. No more pots of Hu Kwa tea. Forget Dr Peppers. So I have had to make a big adjustment. I’ve learned that “decaffeinated” tea still has traces of contraband and I have to look for labels that say, “caffeine free.” Enter the world of Tisanes. (Pronounced TEE-zahn in Paris), tisanes are herbal infusions that Americans call herbal teas. I’ve had fun learning how to blend my own. This one is a garden blend that epitomizes late spring. -E

Garden Tisane

Ingredients:
36 grams dried organic lemongrass
16 grams organic sassafras
18 grams dried and diced peel of clementine
16 grams organic hibiscus leaves, pounded
16 grams culinary lavender buds

Directions:
1. Place all in a bowl and gently blend by hand. Store in an airtight container.
2. Use one spoonful per person plus one for the pot. Brew 3-5 minutes.
3. Sweeten to taste. Makes a great iced beverage!

Notes:
This recipe makes enough for a season’s worth of teas.
Make sure the products you use are organic and safe for consumption. Your local health food store is the best place to find the ingredients for this recipe. Look in the bulk foods section and have them weigh out what you need.
I dry my own peels of clementine. Simply place your peels on a paper plate and let dry on your kitchen counter for several days. Use of a kitchen shears to cut the peels into 1/4″ squares makes the job a snap!

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