When I was studying herbalism and working as a park ranger, I learned a lot about edible trees. Working in Vermont, maple syrup was an obvious treat from the trees, but I also discovered beverages you can make and I'll share some in this forum!
Pine Needle Tea:
-You can use basically any evergreen for this, except yew. White pine and Eastern hemlock are my two favorite.
-Forage needles and/or twigs. They are most nutritious and flavorful when there's new growth.
-Chop the needles to release the oils.
-Boil water and let it cool a bit.
-Pour the water over the needles and let steep for ~10 minutes.
This tea takes a bit longer to steep than a normal tea because pine's flavoring is quite subtle. However, if you steep it too long or use water that's too hot, the tea will come out very bitter. It's important to find the sweet spot.
This tea is rich in Vitamin C and great for upper respiratory health. I love drinking it in the winter as a reminder that the trees who stay green through the cold months can also help me get through this dreary time of year.
Try out some pine needle tea and let me know what you think!
@sarahruth333. This is something I've always wondered about - what to eat/drink in the wild. This is a fantastic post. I'd also like to know what leaves or foliage is edible in the woods.
Thanks for sharing!
I love this! Share more, share more! 🤗