How to make fig leaf tea

Fig leaf tea has many potential health benefits and has flavours similar to rooibos or chamomile. So it may not be everyone's ....  I like it though! There's something very earthy about it. It's gotta be one of the earthiest teas I've tasted. 

Here's a couple of methods to make your own fig leaf tea, with the leaves from the fig tree in your garden.

Fig leaves contain

Fig leaves contain Manganese, Iron, Magnesium, Sodium, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc and vitamins, A, B1 and B2. 

Gather your fig leaves

Whatever leaves you have available are fine. Preferably from your own garden so you know how they've been treated (no chemicals). The leaves can be fresh or yellowing. 
Wash them clean and then think about your steeping method. 

Take care of the sap dripping from the stalks of the leaves if you harvest them fresh (preferred option). It can irritate some people's skin. If the sap gets on your skin, wash it off as soon as you can. I harvest using rubber gardening gloves. 

Steep your leaves

If you choose to steep your leaves fresh, they can go straight into the saucepan. Just cover the leaves with water and steep (bring to boil, then down to a low simmer) for one hour. Let the tea mix sit for a further hour and steep. 

Chill your tea 

If you like your tea hot, strain and drink it immediately. Otherwise strain it into a jug and fridge it for later on. I don't mind it hot, especially in winter. But I generally prefer it cold, because the figs grow in summer time. 

I've got a purple heart variety of fig that has massive heart shaped leaves. I only need one of those to make a good pot of tea. 

Dry and store your leaves

If you choose to dry your fig leaves, put them in the oven for 20 minutes on a very low heat or use your dehydrator until dry and crunchy. Crunch them up and store in glass jars, just like other tea leaves. 

It's fig leaf tea time!

The dry leaves can be strained and steeped just like any other tea leaves, in a teapot, drink bottle or using a strainer. 

Enjoy!

Other uses of the leaves

Food wrap

The leaves can be used as a food wrap like a spinach leaf. Simmer it in salt water for 15-20 minutes until it's tender. Try wrapping steak, mushroom or other foods in it. 

In preserves

I haven't tried it yet, but some have mentioned that the leaves can be used in preserves to add flavour. 

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