Pine Needle Tea
Pine needle tea? You mean you can really make tea out of pine needles? I know this seems unheard of to some, but YES you can! And it’s so delicious too. The first time I drank pine needle tea, I was surprised that the flavor was a bit sweet (almost like a light sap flavor). It smelled like caramel met the nostalgic smell of a wintertime walk. Enjoy this pine needle tea with my favorite cookies or snowball cookies for a festive feel!
Pine Needle Tea Benefits
Pine needle tea contains:
- vitamin A and C
- amino acids
- anti-aging properties
- anti-inflammatory properties
- reduces oxidative stress
- contains may antioxidants and flavonoids
Is it safe to use pine needles for tea?
Yes! It is important to be very careful though of which trees you are getting your pine needles from if you are foraging. Make sure they are Eastern white pine trees. Lodgepole or Shore pine, ponderosa pine, common juniper, Monterey and Norfolk Island pines, common yew, and Australian pine can be toxic to humans. Fresh pine needles are the best. But if you would rather purchase pine needles online, this is a good brand online.
Can you eat any other parts of a pine tree?
Almost all of the parts of pine trees can be eaten. The needles, bark, pine pitch (sap), pine knots, pine nuts and even pine pollen can be eaten and used medicinally and as food. American pioneers actually used to make pine bark bread!
Precautions
If you are pregnant, use caution or consult your doctor before drinking.
How do you make pine needle tea?
It’s simple! Put the needles in hot water and let steep. That’s about it! You can use a tea steeper or teapot. You can also use the stove in an open pot of hot water, just be sure to strain out the tea leaves (needles) before drinking. The ratios of pine needles to water will vary greatly depending on how strong you want your tea.
Pine Needle Tea
Ingredients
- ~1/4-1/2 cup pine needles from edible pine tree
- 3-4 cups water
Instructions
- Using a tea steeper, tea pot, or french press, steep pine needles in hot boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Use more pine needles or steep longer for a stronger flavor.
- If you want to make tea on the stove or over a fire, heat up water on the stove until boiling and add pine needles. Simmer water for 5-10 minutes. Add more water if necessary.
- Enjoy! Pine needle tea can stay in the fridge for 7-10 days in an airtight container.
