Gorgeous Ideas for Fruit & Herb Teas

Recently I have had several episodes where I have felt as if someone has just shouted …

… really loudly, or as if I’d just been in a near-miss accident.  Sort of really shaken up but for no reason.  I didn’t feel worried, depressed, anxious or scared, just puzzled and shaky.  

I wondered if it was caffeine causing the problem. Then suddenly, out of the blue, I was asked if I’d like to try some caffeine free teas  made by Bellevue Tea.  Talk about timing!

I was sent 3 flavours to try …

Berry Infusion

This smells absolutely delicious and tastes good too, especially with a spoonful of sugar.

This tea, however, also makes a great syrup which is the  basis for a great iced tea (just dilute to taste and pour over ice) or refreshing sparkling drink (add sparkling water) or sorbet.

Tea Syrup

~   Make double strength using 2 tea bags per cup of water. 
~   Allow to steep (mast, sudgel, infuse or whatever you call it) for 10 minutes. 
~   Remove the tea bags, giving a good squeeze first, and measure the resulting tea. 
~   Add three quarters of its weight in caster sugar and stir to dissolved. 

Tea Sorbet

~   Make the above syrup and cool.

~   Freeze et voila

Apple & Berry Tea Crumble!

This is very useful when blackberries are out of season.

This is very small because I only had one apple in the house which I sliced and cooked in the Berry Infusion tea together with a tablespoon of sugar.  Once the apple was cooked I transferred it to a ramekin and boiled down the sugary tea till syrupy.  Topped with crumble and a lovely little treat!  Crumble recipe here. 

Ginger and Lemon Infusion 

My favourite of the three; it tastes good on its own, great with a little honey added and gorgeous sweetened, chilled and served over ice with a squeeze of lemon juice.

Not only have I drunk nearly all of these I also tried poaching salmon in it! 

Salmon Poached in Ginger & Lemon Tea

I simply made a cup of Ginger & Lemon Tea in a pan, added a piece of salmon, turned off the heat and put on the lid so the salmon could cook gently in the residual heat. Once cold I had a perfectly cooked lemon and ginger infused piece of salmon – perfect for lunch (a sudden lunch if you will) with salad.

Camomile Tea

I was a bit scared of this one as my friend told me not to try it till bed time as it makes you very sleepy.  I like things that make me sleepy at bedtime so I did what I was told and I did have a good sleep, not sure if it was a coincidence or not. I must admit, though, that I wasn’t very keen on the flavour, maybe just because it was unfamiliar, but it certainly improved with the addition of honey.  

Camomile has so many health benefits that it is certainly worth persevering, I think I’ll try mint or maybe orange next.

So, in short … very nice and I feel so very much better without caffeine! 

Bellevue Teas do a great range in tea bags and as loose leaf tea including “real” tea too and the good news is you can get healthier whilst drinking something delicious (maybe not the camomile!).

In Other News ...

We had wander around Mevagissey in the sunshine the other day and saw some seals in the harbor. Just saying!