Fig Leaf Tea

I made my first Pot of Fig Leaf Tea just last night after delivering Figs to my neighbor. When you have a Fig tree, the next best thing is a neighbor who love figs.  Anyway, Janet also asked if she could have some leaves to make tea. TEA?  Really? I had no idea. She said tea is usually made from dried leaves, but fresh tastes better.  Once back home I Googled it. It's true, the leaves can be used to make tea. Let me show you...

First wash and finely chop one large Fig Leaf. For a single cup use one heaping teaspoon.

 

I put the chopped leaf directly in the post and added the boiling water.

Then I waited, letting it steep about 8 minutes.

The aroma smelled like Fig blossoms, if Fig trees had blossoms. The taste of the tea is fresh and clean with a slight nutty background, and a little like green tea without any bitterness or earthy flavor. I left the leaves in the bottom of the Pot, and now 30 minutes later I poured a second cup and it hasn't become bitter, still fresh and clean tasting only a bit cooler. In my first cup I added honey which was delicious, but wanting to try it unsweetened I like it better plain.

Curious about the health benefits? According to The World's Healthiest Foods, the leaves of the Fig Tree  have anti-diabetic properties, reducing the amount of insulin needed by diabetics who require insulin injections. Drinking 3-4 cups a day helps against bronchitis and asthma. Bathing in it stimulates circulation and takes away discoloration of bruises, but be careful not to go out into the sun after applying to the skin because the psoralens in the fig leaf will cause serious sun burn. Psoralen is used to treat psoriasis and eczema.

I made my first Pot of Fig Leaf Tea just last night after delivering Figs to my neighbor. When you have a Fig tree, the next best thing is a neighbor who love figs.  Anyway, Janet also asked if she could have some leaves to make tea. TEA?  Really? I had no idea. She said tea is usually made from dried leaves, but fresh tastes better.  Once back home I Googled it. It's true, the leaves can be used to make tea. Let me show you...

First wash and finely chop one large Fig Leaf. For a single cup use one heaping teaspoon.

 

I put the chopped leaf directly in the post and added the boiling water.

Then I waited, letting it steep about 8 minutes.

The aroma smelled like Fig blossoms, if Fig trees had blossoms. The taste of the tea is fresh and clean with a slight nutty background, and a little like green tea without any bitterness or earthy flavor. I left the leaves in the bottom of the Pot, and now 30 minutes later I poured a second cup and it hasn't become bitter, still fresh and clean tasting only a bit cooler. In my first cup I added honey which was delicious, but wanting to try it unsweetened I like it better plain.

Curious about the health benefits? According to The World's Healthiest Foods, the leaves of the Fig Tree  have anti-diabetic properties, reducing the amount of insulin needed by diabetics who require insulin injections. Drinking 3-4 cups a day helps against bronchitis and asthma. Bathing in it stimulates circulation and takes away discoloration of bruises, but be careful not to go out into the sun after applying to the skin because the psoralens in the fig leaf will cause serious sun burn. Psoralen is used to treat psoriasis and eczema.