Dried Basil Tea
Simple yet flavorful, this recipe for dried basil tea takes your hot tea game to the next level. Made with dried basil leaves, this homemade basil tea is packed with nutrients as well as mental health benefits.
The kitchen garden I began a few years ago has shown me quite a few crops I can grow with little effort. One of those crops is my summer basil. Each year the basil plants crop up, without being started or seeded, just from where they flowered the year before.
Without pruning, they will quickly take over each bed and honestly produce more basil that I could possibly need. I have gifted plants, baskets of leaves, and even dried basil just to keep the basil from taking over.
While I enjoy making an abundance of fresh basil tea and spinach pesto, I know that my harvest will come to an end in the fall and I need an outlet for all of the basil before I pull the plants for the season.
Last summer I took to drying the basil monthly to keep the crop at bay and I found myself with a stockpile of dried basil leaves that work beautifully in my cooking and simple tea recipes.
Why We Love This Simple Dried Basil Tea
I have a nighttime routine of drinking a cup of tea before bed. There are a number of reasons I love adding this dried basil tea into my hot tea line up.
- Strong flavor. Since your basil hasn’t been sitting crumbled on the shelf for years the flavor will be much more potent than a store-bought option.
- Easy to make. Simply crumble and steep for 5 minutes.
- Pregnancy safe. As long as you are using sweet basil and no holy basil, this homemade dried basil tea pregnancy safe and honestly a life-saver with nausea.
Health Benefits Associated with Basil Tea
This leafy member of the mint family has a number of wonderful health benefits associated with consuming basil, especially basil tea.
- Great source of Vitamin K. 5 dried leaves of basil will provide you with 43% of your daily recommended value of Vitamin K.
- Stress relief. Basil contains eugenol and linalool, known for their calming and stress-reducing effects.
- Helps manage blood sugar. In multiple studies with both humans and rats, basil helped reduce blood sugar.
For additional information surround the health benefits associated with basil you can check out Cleveland Clinic’s 5 Health Benefits of Basil.
How to Make Dried Basil Tea
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Dried Basil– I would recommend drying your own basil leaves and crumbling them for this recipe to ensure the freshest flavor.
- Boiling Water– Between 208°F and 212°F for optimal steeping.
Step-by-Step Directions for Dried Basil Tea
- Crush dried basil.
- Add to the basket of a tea pot.
- Pour boiling water over the dried basil in the basket.
- Steep the tea for 5 minutes before pouring and serving.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
When you are ready to brew a pot of this simple basil tea, here are some kitchen essentials you might find helpful.
- Tea Kettle– Used to boil the water to the exact temperature you need.
- Tea Pot with Basket– The basket chamber on the tea pot allows you to directly steep the basil leaves in the water.
- Cups– I love a wide tea cup with a handle for easy drinking.
What to Serve with Dried Basil Tea
There are a number of different ways to enjoy your tea time. For my end of the day cup I usually drink it while I read before bed.
If I am serving my basil tea during tea time with my kids I will usually include some snacks such as:
- Vegan Whipped Shortbread
- Lemon Shortbread Cookies
- McKay’s Dairy-Free Sugar Cookies
- Spiced Blackberry Thumbprint Cookies
Hot Beverages to Make Next
Craving more warm and comforting drinks? Here are some hot beverages you might enjoy making.
If you tried this dried basil tea recipe please let me know in the comments below!
You can also share a picture of it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy so I can see all of your life after dairy adventures!
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Dried Basil Tea
Simple, flavorful, and made from scratch, this homemade dried basil tea recipe is the perfect addition to your tea time routine.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 ounces 1x
- Category: Drinks
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Dried Basil Leaves (before crushing)
- 16 ounces Water (boiling)
Instructions
- Crush ¼ cup dried basil leaves.
- Add to the basket of a tea pot.
- Pour 16 ounces of boiling water over the dried basil in the basket.
- Steep the tea for 5 minutes before pouring and serving.
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