How to prepare (ferment and dry) fireweed tea correctly at home

Let me note right away that I am not a fan of drying this product in the oven. This drying gives the leaves a dark color, resulting in a dark brew, like regular tea.

But I prefer naturally dried fireweed. The drink made from these dried leaves is more delicate, more like green tea.

I always try to collect plant leaves in an environmentally friendly place, in berry meadows, in June-August.

I try to collect the most tender and young leaves and flowers separately. Arriving home, I lay out the flowers in one layer and simply dry them at room temperature in places not illuminated by the sun, and place the leaves in a rough layer on the windowsills in those rooms where there is no direct sun, and give them the opportunity to dry for 3-4 hours, from time to time. stirring time. During this time, the leaves have not dried out, but have already become limp, not so strong and elastic.

Then I put them through a meat grinder. I do this so that the leaves can ferment, producing juice.

It is this process that subsequently gives fireweed tea its unique rich aroma. I put the passed mixture into an enamel bowl and cover it with a towel, leaving it for another 10-12 hours in a warm place. A temperature of +25 degrees is enough - this is approximately room temperature in summer. Under these conditions, oxidation occurs and the herbal scent becomes alluringly floral.

Fermentation at home is now over and the final stage begins - drying. I dry Ivan tea on a baking sheet for about two days.

I put it on the balcony and make a small draft. The healthy and aromatic tea leaves have dried out - I put it in a glass jar and save it on a shelf in the pantry closet.

I brew it like regular tea, but it turns out to be a pleasant green tea color. If desired, the drink can be brewed 2-3 times from one brew. At the same time, fireweed does not lose its beneficial properties.

We offer you to watch a series of videos from the user “ekomesto”. The first will talk about where, when and how to collect fireweed.

In the second, we will learn how to properly prepare and how fermentation of fireweed occurs.

Well, the last video is how to dry fireweed.

Prepare fireweed, this is a useful plant, brew a wonderful drink correctly, with love, and drink fireweed tea for your health.