It is generally accepted that raspberry jam tea is very beneficial for health. But this is not entirely true. But raspberry tea is really useful. When to collect fresh raspberry leaves for drying for the winter in order to brew tea based on them.
What are the benefits of raspberry leaves?
Fresh raspberry leaves contain a large number of microelements beneficial for human health.
Benefits of raspberry leaf tea:
- has an antipyretic and pathogenic effect against flu and colds;
- acts as an anti-inflammatory agent;
- for bronchitis and pneumonia, it makes breathing easier;
- strengthens the immune system.
Raspberry foliage is as useful as the berries of this shrub. If you brew tea when you have a cold, you can quickly get back on your feet and get rid of unpleasant symptoms.
When to collect raspberry leaves
For the drink to be useful, you need to know When exactly can you pick raspberry leaves? for tea. Raspberry leaves are harvested in July. It is not advisable to collect them in September; during this period the bushes begin to prepare for winter and it is not recommended to touch them. It is best to collect raw materials early in the morning.
Which leaves are suitable for preparations?
Not all raspberry leaves are suitable for drying for the winter. Only healthy and young ones should be cut. The leaves should be a rich green hue, smooth and without signs of damage. It is also not recommended to collect old ones. They have a lower concentration of nutrients.
How to properly collect raspberry leaves
During collection, raw materials should be carefully inspected. Insects often lay eggs on the underside. The leaves are carefully cut from the branch so as not to damage it.
Preparing leaves for tea
In order for tea to be as healthy as possible, the raw materials should not only be properly collected and brewed, but also dried. There are two types of drying.
Drying
For tea made from raspberry leaves to be medicinal, they must be dried properly. The raw materials are thoroughly washed under running water. Then lay it out on paper to dry from the water. Then, in a dark, cool room, spread dry newspaper and lay them out. The raw materials are mixed regularly so that the foliage does not rot.It is recommended to dry it so that it is not exposed to open sunlight. Drying takes approximately 4-5 days.
Fermentation of raspberry leaves
Another method of drying after collecting fresh raw materials is fermentation. To do this, you need to prepare leaves from May to September. Spring preparation produces light and aromatic tea. Of the autumn ones, it is more rich and tart. It is recommended to collect raspberry leaves for tea at dawn.
Fermentation process:
- cut from branches and rinse well under running water;
- place them on newspaper to dry, stir from time to time (you need to wait for the water to evaporate and the leaves to become dried);
- when the raw material becomes soft and dried, it is twisted in the hands so that they give juice (or twisted through a meat grinder);
- after this, place the raw materials in an enamel pan or glass jar in several layers;
- Place a weight on top to press down and leave them at a temperature of +25...+28 degrees.
After 8 hours, the workpiece is laid out on a baking sheet and dried.
Terms and rules for storing dried leaves
Dried leaves have an expiration date. As a rule, it is recommended to store dried raw materials for no more than two years. Depending on storage conditions, the shelf life may be extended. It is also important to store it properly. Dried raw materials are kept in glass containers or fabric bags. It is not recommended to store in plastic bags. It begins to rot and becomes moldy. Containers with raw materials should be placed in dark, cool rooms away from sunlight.
Recipes for delicious raspberry leaf tea
Recipe with raspberries, thyme and honey.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. raspberries;
- 1 tsp. thyme;
- 300 ml boiling water;
- 2 tbsp. l. linden honey.
Preparing tea:
- Bring water to a boil.
- Place raspberries and thyme in a teapot and pour boiling water over them.
- Leave to brew for 5-7 minutes.
- When the tea is warm, add honey and stir.
- Drink warm.
This decoction is brewed with currants, oregano, and rose hips.
