Another Free Superfood - Time to Harvest Raspberry Leaf Tea!

The berries are ripe for enjoying and I take this time to collect some of the nutritious leaves.  Picking the leaves before the plant flowers is best but anytime is good. If you are drying them for later use spread them out so they dry well and don’t get moldy.
Harvesting the raspberry leaves are something less people know about but worth it. Many women may remember drinking raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy – 1 cup per trimester. The leaves are rich in calcium, iron and other minerals and can be used by all members of the family. It doesn’t taste like much (tea and grass to be precise!) - the dried leaves can be steeped in cold water for a less tea flavor and hot water to bring more of the tannins and tea flavor out. If you’re growing some Mint or Lemonbalm this makes a great combo. A Summer favorite is adding a fruity tea, some fresh lemon and some honey to the raspberry leaf tea and chilling it for a refreshing mock-iced tea. Ahhh...