Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Put the dried nettle leaves in a roomy tea infuser or directly into a heatproof mug.
- Bring fresh drinking water to a full boil. Pour 250 ml over the leaves, making sure they are submerged.
- Cover with a lid or small saucer and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. If using a packaged herbal tea, follow its brewing instructions if they require a longer infusion.
- Remove the infuser or strain the tea through a fine tea strainer into another heatproof mug.
- Add a little honey if you would like sweetness, or lemon for a brighter flavour. Allow to cool to a comfortable drinking temperature before serving.
Notes
Dried leaves: Use clean, thoroughly dried nettle leaves suitable for food use. Discard any dried herbs showing mould, dampness or an unusual musty smell.
Brewing: Use freshly boiling water rather than merely warm water. Cover the mug while the leaves infuse. This recipe is intended as a hot infusion, not a cold brew.
Flavour: Two level teaspoons make a useful starting point. Leaf size and how finely the nettles are crumbled affect the strength. For a milder next cup, use a little less leaf while keeping the full brewing time.
Caffeine: Pure nettle leaf tea is naturally caffeine-free. Blends containing black or green tea may contain caffeine.
Storage: Best brewed fresh. If keeping some for later, strain, cool promptly and refrigerate within two hours. Use within 24 hours as a conservative household precaution.
Suitability: Avoid nettle if you are allergic to it. If you have been advised to restrict fluids because of a heart or kidney condition, check with your clinician before using nettle tea. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if planning regular use alongside prescribed medicines, ask a pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional about suitability.
Honey: Do not give honey to children under 12 months.
