Homegrown Herbal Tea

[Shades-of-Oregon]

I tried a few times to grow stevia . It overwintered a couple of years . Must keep warm above 70 , bright indirect light. At the same time be sure to take cuttings for a crop the next time around. I used my coffee grinder to grind the leaves . It didn’t seem to sweeten as well as store bought. My home grown process wasn’t good and I could never produce enough for every day use in drinks or baking.

 

[digitS']

I bought a bag of Jiva Organics stevia through Amazon.

It certainly isn't as sweet as the extract but it's sweet.

Something that occurred to me the other day — the label says "organic stevia leaf, cut & sifted" but how would I know if it has some sugar on those leaves? Of course, I'm not diabetic but just hoping to enhance the blend of herbs and have felt that I have (while gaining a little pleasant sweetness .)

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

Amazon also has hibiscus teas , sweet without sugar and exceptional flavor.

 

[digitS']

1:1:1:2 for mint, zest, licorice, and stevia -- by volume

I have changed this and thought that I should come back and make corrections.

First, as I have more and more homegrown mint, it might be reduced in the future. That is because it’s very flavorful by comparison to all this store bought – a good thing!

Stevia was reduced to equal other ingredients. It’s fine. The sweetness is appreciated but need not be too much.

Licorice root does NOT amount to an equal part. Difficult to measure because I’m not putting it in a spoon but it is probably a .5 part.

So, 1:1:1:1:.5 mint, zest, stevia, licorice. Simple, enjoyable little concoction. And, acknowledging guidance from @Alasgun on the sweetness of stevia and caution from @Pulsegleaner on licorice.

Steve