Time for Tea!

Now that the cooler weather of autumn is settling in, I'm ready to pull out the teapot and enjoy some delicious brews using herbs from the garden. I sampled the first of these brews at Local Roots this past Saturday and, since I couldn't think of a name for it, held a contest to see who could come up with the most evocative, fitting, and tempting name for it.

The blend itself combined homegrown chamomile, spearmint, and anise hyssop for a relaxing tea with a velvet edge. Several suggestions came to the forefront, but only one really fit the blend: Blonde Highlights, suggested by Betsy Anderson. Thanks, Betsy!

For the rest of you who participated in the contest, here are the fall and winter brews -- with attribution given for the names. Each person who suggested a winning name wins a loaf of Grain Maker bread (their choice).

Autumn Bliss: When fall arrives with cooler weather, it also brings a rich palette of colors and flavors as herbs and flowers reach their maturity. This blend combines petals from homegrown roses, foraged rose hips (rich in vitamin C), homegrown sage, and a pinch of hibiscus blossoms for an enticing blush. (Name suggested by Ellen Pill.)

Blonde Highlights: Chamomile has long been used topically to add a glow to blond hair, but taken as a tisane, it makes a relaxing evening brew. Paired here with homegrown spearmint and anise hyssop, the sparkle of chamomile takes on a richer hue and flavor as it eases you into rest. (Name suggested by Betsy Anderson.)

Harvest Gold: As autumn casts its golden light over fields and meadows, summer flavors develop new depth. Lemon verbena from Karen's Garden Delights and homegrown lemon balm carry the summer sunshine, tempered with homegrown calendula and the crisp piny scent of rosemary and thyme from Karen's Garden Delights. This stimulating blend also helps ease congestion and coughing in the winter cold. (Name suggested by Susan English.)

Mountain Meadow: It's amazing what wonderful healers can be found among the wildflowers and weeds of our wild areas. Foraged herbs like raspberry leaf, stinging nettle, red clover, and yarrow nourish the body, and homegrown delights like peppermint and rose petals refresh the spirit. Combined, they comfort the stomach and lighten the heart in a fragrant drink that will bring a touch of summer to even the coldest day. (Name suggested by Sofie Dittmann.)

I hope to have these new tea blends on my shelf at Local Roots for this weekend, time permitting both to make them and to get new labels made. If not, look for them the following week!

And many thanks to all who participated in the contest with such enthusiasm and inspiration!