Fig Leaf Tea.

 

Happy Friday tout le monde! Here in SwitzerFrance the sun is out, the terrace doors are open, the birds are going a little crazy (like Hitchcock crazy, I'm getting a little nervous), and I've finally gotten around to trying out something I've been meaning to do for weeks now: brew up some fig leaf tea!

 

 

I love that my favorite tree in all the land can provide so many uses from it's little 'ole self - delicious fruits to be eaten raw/grilled/dried/cooked, branches that can form entirely new lovely little trees, and leaves that when minced up and submerged in boiling hot water can provide a little bit of variety (and added health benefits) from the customary cup of tea.

 

 

What's it taste like? I had expected it to have a vanilla taste, as anyone who has ever smelled fig trees on the breeze can probably relate to, but it definitely wasn't the dominating flavor. Overall it had a nutty taste with a hint of vanilla (more in the smell than the taste I'd say), and was even better with a little local honey mixed in.

 

{Cue wet blanket PSA} Want more info on how ingesting fig leaves can affect your health? Here's a great link on WebMD that talks about possible side affects or interactions that could occur if you have certain ailments or conditions. As always, if you have diabetes or some other pre-existing condition, it's always best to talk to your doctor before trying something new like this out. I'm not doctor, merely a fig tree enthusiast. So better to be safe than sorry. :) {End wet blanket PSA}

 

Fig Leaf Tea

 

Ingredients:

 

1 medium sized or 1/2 of a large fig leaf

Honey, sugar or agave nectar (optional and to taste) 

Boiling water to fill the tea pot of your choice 

 

Directions:

 

1. Pick a leaf off your own, a friend's or a public fig tree. (Note: I picked a large leaf and only half fit in the tea ball - looks like I have some leftover for tomorrow.)

 

2. Boil up the amount of water that it takes to fill your tea pot of choice.

 

3. On a cutting board, mince up the fig leaf. To do this I rolled the leaf up into a small tube shape, sliced in one direction, and then sliced in a diagonal direction. I didn't take the time to mince it up small, but feel free to do so if you'd like.

 

4. Fill up a tea ball with minced up fig leaf.

 

5. Put tea ball in tea pot. Fill tea pot once the water boils. Allow to steep for 15 minutes before serving. Add honey or other sweetener if you wish.  

 

 

Easy right?

 

So go on out there and cut off a leaf, start that kettle, and relax with this soothing cuppa. Keep in mind it may be more of an acquired taste, but weekends are for being a little crazy, right?

 

 

(And nothing screams wild and crazy like a pregnant chick in a sweatpants and chipped nail polish.)

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey