To harvest lavender for tea, pick the flowers before they fully open. This ensures you capture the most potent flavor and aroma.
Best Time to Harvest Lavender for Tea
Timing is crucial when harvesting lavender for tea. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Ideal Stage: Harvest when the buds have color but before they fully open. This is when the essential oils, which contribute to the flavor and aroma, are most concentrated in the buds.
- Time of Day: Harvest in the morning, after the dew has dried, but before the heat of the day sets in. This prevents wilting and helps preserve the oils.
Harvesting Techniques
Here's how to properly harvest lavender for tea:
- Gather your tools: You'll need sharp scissors or pruning shears.
- Cut the stems: Cut the stems about an inch or two above the point where the leaves start. This encourages new growth.
- Bundle the stems: Gather the cut stems into small bundles.
- Drying: Dry the bundles upside down in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place. This prevents mold growth and preserves the color and aroma. You can use a paper bag around the flowers to catch any falling buds.
Why Harvest Before Full Bloom?
Harvesting lavender for tea before the flowers fully bloom offers several advantages:
- More Intense Flavor: The essential oils are more concentrated in the buds than in fully opened flowers.
- Better Aroma: The aroma is also more potent before the flowers fully open.
- Appearance: The buds retain their color better when dried.
Using Your Harvested Lavender
Once your lavender is dried, you can use it in various tea blends. Simply crumble the dried buds and add them to hot water.
