Yes, you can make chamomile tea from fresh flowers.
Making Chamomile Tea from Fresh Flowers
While it's common to use dried chamomile flowers for tea, you can absolutely use fresh ones. Here's how, incorporating information from the provided reference:
- Growing Your Own: The video mentions someone planting chamomile two years prior, and it now grows annually without needing additional planting. This demonstrates that it's possible to have a consistent source of fresh flowers.
- Harvesting: Collect the chamomile blossoms when they are fully open.
- Preparing the Flowers:
- Rinsing: Gently rinse the fresh blossoms to remove any dirt or insects.
- Amount: You will need to use more fresh chamomile flowers compared to dried ones, as the fresh ones contain a higher water content.
- Steeping:
- Place the fresh flowers in a cup or teapot.
- Pour hot water over the blossoms.
- Let it steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Strain the tea to remove the flowers.
- Drying for later use: The video reference also mentions the blossoms being hung to dry in a basement for a few weeks, suggesting that fresh flowers can also be dried to make tea later.
Comparison with Dried Chamomile
| Feature | Fresh Chamomile Flowers | Dried Chamomile Flowers |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | More subtle, lighter flavor | More intense, concentrated flavor |
| Amount | Need more for same intensity | Less needed for same intensity |
| Availability | Seasonal | Available year-round |
| Preparation | Requires immediate use | Can be stored for later use |
Additional Notes:
- The drying process (as mentioned in the provided video) is recommended for long-term storage.
- Fresh chamomile tea will generally have a milder flavor compared to dried chamomile.
- Ensure you are using true chamomile ( Matricaria recutita or Chamaemelum nobile) to avoid consuming potentially harmful look-alikes.
