I’m finding myself drinking more tea as it gets colder.
And I thought I’d experiment a little with some microgreens tea blends.
I wanted to share five of these blends with you.
Then I realized that here in Atlanta, USA, it may be the dead of winter, but down under in Australia and Argentina, it’s starting to get hot.
This post will show you how to make microgreens tea in six steps and five recipes.
One or two will be hot teas, and one or two will be cold teas.
The origin of “tea” is hidden in myth. It is more than 4,000 years old and is the legend of folklore. All teas have major cultural links particular to a region or country. Traditional teas are indigenous to India and China. Around the world, any hot beverage, including microgreens, that is consumed is referred to as a “tea.”
Today herbal teas are brewed from plants and bark, roots, leaves, seeds, flowers, and fruits of trees, shrubs, and weedy vines.
And I bet you didn’t think you could make microgreens tea.
Unless, of course, you read about nasturtium microgreens tea in my post, Nasturtium Microgreens: How to Grow, Eat and Use Them.
With its long history as a healthy drink, tea is one of the most popularly consumed beverages today.
When accepted as a ritual, making microgreens tea can magically impact your day, your moods, calming you and allowing you to savor brief moments in life.
Making Microgreens Tea
Now, depending on where you are in the world, there are firm opinions about making a cup o’ tea.
In England, teatime is a ritual.
To make a good tea, you pour boiling water over tea leaves.
The Chinese believe, however, adding boiling water removes the life force, or chi, from the tea and thus the healing benefits.
Oxygen is key
Here’s my scientific answer.
A great cup of tea is like a great glass of wine to tea lovers – a balance of delicate flavors.
The oxygen in the water pulls out these flavors that give you the healing properties of the tea.
After all, this is part of what makes high-quality, so exciting to drink, isn’t it?
When water is boiled, the steam carries most of the oxygen out of the water (and oxygen is vital to life!)
Without the oxygen, it is primarily just heat-releasing a few properties.
These are mostly the bitter tannins and phenols.
That’s why many people use milk, or sugar, or lemon to remove the bitter taste.
If you’ve ever made tea, you’ve made the water too hot.
If that happens, remove the water from the fire and let it cool.
Then whip it with a whisk to put some oxygen back in the water.
Sounds silly, but when it comes to fine tea, oxygen is key!
Microgreens Tea Brewing Guide
Every microgreen, and microgreen tea has its own subtle flavors.
Whether you steep or brew, making tea can be an art form.
So, you want to experiment and find your own tastes.
Some things to think about when making a cup of microgreens tea:
- Do you prefer a dark, robust cup or a lighter cup?
- Do you prefer your tea in the morning, noon, or night?
- How many cups a day will you drink?
- Do you like your tea hot or cold?
- Will you make tea brewing a ritual?
There are five main categories of teas: Black, Oolong, Green, White and Herbal teas.
I did some research, and I have included some suggestions below for brewing tea using my formula: 1 teaspoon of loose tea per cup (8 ounces) of water.
Table 1 – Tea Brewing Guide
| Tea | Water Temperature | Steep/Brew Time |
| Black | 195° – 205° | 4 – 5 minutes |
| Oolong | 170° – 200° | 3 – 5 minutes |
| Green | 175° – 190° | 2 – 3 minutes |
| White | 170° – 180° | 2 – 3 minutes |
| Herbal* | 205° – 212° | 5 – 7 minutes |
*Microgreens teas fall into the Herbal varieties.
They are brewed longer and hotter than traditional teas of the world due to the need to extract the plant’s medicinal properties.
After you brew several cups, you will begin to determine for yourself:
- how much tea to blend per cup,
- how long to steep,
- how hot or cold you like it.
How to Make Tea From Scratch
Today, most of us handle tea making as an everyday ritual.
Quality organic microgreens
Quality matters!
Start with the best microgreens you can find.
See my list of microgreens providers worldwide that I recommend.
Fresh green microgreens are always fuller, more flavorful, with more health benefits.
However, fresh microgreens have a short shelf life – 5 to 8 days.
Water
Use spring water or filtered water.
Springwater for its mineral content, or carbon-filtered, so the water has no taste.
Brita makes an inexpensive filtered jug available on Amazon.
Bad tasting water is a bad tasting cup o’ tea.
Microgreens-to-Water Ratio
As an international rule of thumb, add one teaspoon of microgreens tea per cup of water.
Plus, one teaspoon for the pot.
Water Temperature
If the water is too hot, it can burn the microgreens, leaves, or stems.
This will result in a bitter taste.
On the other hand, if the water isn’t hot enough, the tea will be weak and tasteless.
Steeping Time
Herbal teas need to be steeped for five to seven minutes (see Tea Brewing Table).
The length is based on your personal taste.
I find that longer than 5 minutes makes my teas too strong (and sometimes bitter) for my taste.
You should experiment to find the right time.
To avoid swallowing the microgreens, use the “bombilla” as a strainer.
The pouring procedure is called “cebar.”
The Two Methods of Preparing Microgreens Teas
Infusion
This is the best method for microgreens tea blends.
- They are cut into small pieces.
- Depending on how strong you like your tea, the required amount is placed in a cup or teapot.
- Freshly boiled water is then poured over the herb.
- Cover and let simmer for seven to ten minutes.
Strain and drink.
Concoction / Decoction
This method is primarily reserved for the harder parts of the herb, such as twigs, seeds, roots, or barks.
If you choose to use microgreens seeds to make your tea, then use this method.
- Measure the required number of microgreens seeds and place them into a pot.
- Cover or immerse in cold water.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for about an hour.
- Strain and drink
Yerba Mate
Drinking the “Yerba Mate” is a ceremony practiced in Argentina.
It can be done alone or in a small group.
When an Argentinian welcomes a guest, she might be invited to have a sip of “mate.”
This allows the guest to join the “mateada” – a special moment.
You need a bowl called the “mate.”
The water is poured into the mate before it boils to preserve the herb’s medicinal and nutritional concentrations.
Storing Your Microgreens Teas
If you store tea correctly, it can stay fresh and flavorful for six months to a year.
For microgreens to last that long they need to be dried.
- Do not store in the refrigerator or the freezer.
- Store your microgreens in a tin or an airtight glass container.
- .
- Store them separate from other spices of flavors.
If you want to learn more about drying and preserving microgreens, read my post Microgreens Can Be Dehydrated.
The 6 Steps To A Refreshing Cup of Microgreens Tea
What you will need, all available on Amazon:
- Fresh Microgreens
- Water
- Kettle or pot
- Measuring Teaspoon
- Tea Timer
- Strainer or Infusion basket
- Serving teapot
- Teacup set
Here is the secret to making a perfectly refreshing cup of tea:
- Bring a kettle or pot of fresh cold water to a soft boil, as in the tea brewing table above.
- Pour the boiling water into the teapot.
- Add one teaspoon of microgreens per cup of water plus one teaspoon for the pot.
- Allow the microgreens to steep for five to seven minutes.
- Stir the tea.
- Strain it into a cup or into a separate serving pot
Freshly brewed microgreens brew can be stored in a refrigerator for three to four days.
Medicinal Microgreens Herbal Tea Recipes
Nasturtium Microgreens Tea
Microgreen nasturtium leaves are also commonly boiled and used in tea. To make your own tea, follow the following recipe:
Black Sage Microgreens Tea
Black sage tea has been used worldwide for the treatment of congestion.
It is boiled (concocted) and taken as a tea.
Dandelion Microgreens Tea
Arab physicians have been using dandelion for medicinal purposes since the 10th century.
Originally from Europe and Asia, it now grows in most temperate climates.
Cautions: Overuse may cause allergic dermatitis, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, liver pain, and or stomach upset.
Consult your medical practitioner if you plan to use dandelion on a long-term basis. If you are pregnant, have a heart condition, or have a stomach disorder talk to your practitioner first before using dandelion.
Papaya Microgreens Tea
Microgreens papaya contains the alkaloid carpain, which is good for heart health.
Papaya microgreens also contain papain, which has been shown to play a crucial role in diverse biological processes.
Holy Basil Microgreens Tea
Basil is used for purification baths and in wealth and prosperity rituals.
Carrying a basil leaf in your pocket brings wealth.
Iced Microgreen Tea
Iced cold tea in the middle of the summer is beyond delicious.
You can cool your freshly brewed tea to room temperature and pour over ice.
Or, you can cool the brew for a couple hours in the fridge.
But for a sweet and delicious treat, add honey to your fresh brewed tea, and freeze overnight in some popsicle cups.
Related Questions
How to grow microgreens at home?
Microgreens are convenient to grow. You don’t need a lot of equipment. You can grow them on your windowsill, in your kitchen, and in your garden.
My post, Growing Microgreens at Home in Containers, shares instructions on how to grow microgreens in your home that are delicious, tasty, healthy, and safe to eat.
How do I start incorporating the health benefits of microgreens into my nutrition?
I’ve learned a lot about microgreens, how good they are for you, and what you can do with them. Check out my guide, “The Beginner’s Nutritional Guide to Incredible Microgreens.”
