Chrysanthemum Tea

Article contributed by Neelam Tyagi

Everyone loves flowers. Gardeners passionately grow many plants for their flowers, attractive colours and pleasing fragrances. They add a vibrancy to the garden but for gourmets, flowers are another way of adding colour and taste to a dish. In fact many flowers are not just edible but they are very tasty, sweet, spicy and exotically aromatic. They can be used in many ways but some precautions should be taken while selecting them.

Important do’s and don’ts

• • Pick only organically grown flowers.
  • Don’t use flowers from florists as they may have been treated with pesticides.
  • Don’t eat flowers picked from roadsides.
  • Don’t eat them if you suffer from allergies.

 

What is Chrysanthemum Tea?

Chrysanthemum tea is delicious and popular beverages in many parts of the world. It has been around for more than a thousand of years and is believed  to have originated in the song dynasty in China. The flowers that are used to make this powerful tea come in a number of varieties, but traditionally it comes from Chrysanthemum indium.

 

How to make Chrysanthemum Tea?

Unlike many other herbal tea which use only the leaves of the plant in order to brew the beverages, chrysanthemums tea is made by infusing hot water with flowers which release a wide variety of antioxidant and organic compounds, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and soothing chemicals into mixtures making for a delicious and highly nutritious drink.

1. 1. Boil water to  between 90 – 100 degree.
   2. Rinse the tea cup or pot with hot water to warm water.
   3. Put 2-3 flowers in the cup.
   4. Allow brewing for two to four minutes.
   5. Add a small amount of honey.
   6. The tea can be served hot or cold.

 

Benefits of Chrysanthemum Tea

Chrysanthemums tea has a number of impressive health benefits, including its ability to protect the heart, boost your immunity system, improve vision, calm your nerves, lower inflammations, strengthen your bones and treat respiratory issues among others.