Pine Needle Tea...

[Toddy]

Estates can be a nightmare to work out what something actually is
Our neighbouring castle policies are like that; so many different brought in plants. Many 'seem' kind of familiar, until you look closely and then it's a, "huh ? " sort of thing.

Another estate in the Clyde Valley has the most beautiful pine tree I'd ever seen, growing. Turns out that the pine is actually known as The Beautiful Pine, variety
Another one had the most wonderful resin full blisters on it's bark, like pine honey the stuff that came from them, and it smelled glorious

cheers,
M

 

[Mick w.]

Cheers for all that! Well, looks like it's going to be a trial thing with scots pine at some point in the near future.

 

[Goatboy]

Gather a good handful of fresh young pine needles.
Rinse the needles with water if you like.
Chop the brown ends off and the rest of needles into small pieces, then bruise with a spoon for more flavor.
Place the chopped pine pieces in a cup.
Bring 8 to 10 ounces of water to a boil, and then promptly remove from heat.
Pour the hot water over the needles in the cup.
The bright green needles will float to the surface of the water.
This is the important step next.
Throw away mixture and get out some coffee/tea/apple tea/lemon tea, anything really other than what you were about to put yourself through. It's a bushcraft initiation prank that we let the feeble minded carry on with