Pine Needle Tea

[Coldfeet]

I've read about this enjoyable drink and it got me thinking. Can this be made with any species of pine, or are there only specific ones? Which is your favourite?

 

[ozzy1977]

I think most are ok to use but not yellow pine which is poisonous. I have only used scots and corsican pine which is what you will mainly find in our planted forests

 

[Goatboy]

Must admit that larch is my favourite of the bunch for making tea. Though I don't just use conifers. Bramble leaves or nettles are pretty nice too.

 

[ozzy1977]

I seem to recall Norway spruce wasn't great, nor was grand fir. Scots or Corsican is very refreshing though

 

[bushcraftkid2001]

I just tend to use any, but I do like scots pine, and also try adding wood sorrel as that gives pine needle tea a whole new taste, not my cup of tea though!(pun intended)

 

[weekender]

I've seen rose hips being used as a drink not sure how you go about it though??


Sent from somewhere?

 

[xylaria]

I've seen rose hips being used as a drink not sure how you go about it though??


Sent from somewhere?

Wait until haw frost then put them in teastrainer and pour boiling water on them. With luck the itchy powder stays put and juice infuses. Otherwise boil then strian through a cloth.

 

[weekender]

Could you wrap them in a cloth/muslin then boil ?


Sent from somewhere?

 

[Teepee]

I prefer the spruces and firs personally, more of a citrus taste.

 

[Paul_B]

How long to steep or boil? We used to drink Scots pine, very easy to spot and fairly common, but always had to steep it a long time. I've seen times of only 5 minutes but IME it needs longer. What do you ppl do?

 

[Will_]

I prefer the spruces and firs personally, more of a citrus taste.

Are all fir and spruce needles safe to make tea with?
I made some a few months ago with some needles that smelt unbelievably lemony!
Although I loved it, I haven't done it since because I don't know how to identify what's safe and what's not...
If needles smell like lemon, is it a good sign that they're good for making tea?

 

[Tom Gold]

Made some with Scots Pine last year. Had to infuse it for some mins to get any flavour but eventually had a surprisingly soft almost minty taste - quite pleasant!

You've inspired me to have another shot at it, maybe even try a blend...

Thanks for sharing,

T

 

[cranmere]

How long to steep or boil? We used to drink Scots pine, very easy to spot and fairly common, but always had to steep it a long time. I've seen times of only 5 minutes but IME it needs longer. What do you ppl do?

Chop it fine and bash the needles first, same for any tough plants that you want to use as tea.

 

[Paul_B]

Chop it fine and bash the needles first, same for any tough plants that you want to use as tea.

Didn't think of chopping and bashing, just chopped them up a bit first.

 

[Teepee]

Are all fir and spruce needles safe to make tea with?
I made some a few months ago with some needles that smelt unbelievably lemony!
Although I loved it, I haven't done it since because I don't know how to identify what's safe and what's not...
If needles smell like lemon, is it a good sign that they're good for making tea?

I don't know for certain TBH but I know well to avoid Yew which is the main danger for mis-identification. I've had Scots Pine, Siberian Pine, Douglas fir, Norway Spuce, Black Spruce, Larch, Western Red Cedar. Searching for poisinous Conifers doesn't yield many results and I'm personally happy with most of the plantation and native conifers. Douglas fir tastes very lemony to me and smells of it too.

 

[fielder1963]

Approx how many needles are required for a mug?