How to Make Pine Needle Tea

Kardiate

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posted on 16 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Pine needle tea is made from (surprise!) pine trees. It contains significant amounts of vitamin C (up to five times as much as a lemon).[1]
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Moreover, it is refreshing and can serve as a decongestant.[2]
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Here is how to do it.

Ingredients

Put the water into a pot and bring it to a boil. Or, boil the water in a kettle. Use whichever method you're used to.

Gather the pine needles, clean them, and then put them in the cup or mug.

Pour the boiling water into the cup while the pine needles are in it and stir until the color of the pine needles starts to pale.

For more flavor, add the juice of 1 lemon or a squirt of lemon juice. Also try a squirt of honey or stir in a sugar cube.

Filter the pine needles out with a fork and drink up!

If you have more time, try this method. Chop 1/2 a cup of pine needles finely. Add them to the boiling water in the saucepan.Make Pine Needle Tea Step 6Bullet1.jpg Reduce the heat and simmer the tea for 20 minutes. Don't heat any longer as the vitamin C is heat sensitive.Make Pine Needle Tea Step 6Bullet2.jpg Remove from the heat and allow to steep for another 20 minutes or overnight. The tea will gain a red tinge. Warm it up to serve or refrigerate if not drinking yet.