Tea can be made out of almost anything, including the weeds that are in your yard. When the green grass becomes littered with bright yellow, it’s time to make dandelion tea. Every part of the plant is edible and can be made into tea, the petals and roots are the most popular choices.
When made with petals, dandelion tea has a light a sweet taste. Perfect for those who like a sweet tea perfect for spring. There’s also roasted dandelion root tea which has a smokier and more bitter flavor.
It’s time to no longer think of growing dandelions as weeds when they have the ability to be so tasty. Also, if you’re not a big tea drinker, there’s dandelion coffee that’s brewed similar to its tea counterpart.
The Different Dandelion Tea Tastes
A Disclaimer
Even though dandelion tea doesn’t use all parts of the plant, it is important to know that the stem contains latex. If you have a latex allergy, it may be better to stay away from this drink.
Dandelions are also a part of the ragweed family, which can be a common allergy. If you have a ragweed allergy, either make it with caution or stay away from this drink.
Never harvest dandelions that grow near roads or any other source of heavy pollution. Plants absorb the toxins that they are surrounded by and you don’t want to ingest those toxins. Buying dandelion petals or roots in the store or online is always a valid option.
Dandelion Petal Tea
Dandelion petal tea is a light and sweet tea. Like any other tea made from a flower, such as lavender or chamomile tea, dandelion tea isn’t too strong. If you need a nice afternoon tea or a tea to drink before bed, dandelion petal tea is the way to go.
The great thing is that making dandelion petal tea is no different than making any kind of loose tea. When fully brewed, the dandelion petal tea will be yellow.
Dandelion Root Tea
Dandelion root tea is the bitter counterpart to dandelion petal tea. People who like bitter drinks will enjoy this tea. Some say that dandelion root tea has an earthy and smokey flavor profile. Dandelion root tea can be drunk like coffee as this tea can taste very similar to it.
Dandelion roots can also be easily purchased as it can be a bit harder to harvest the roots yourself. However, if harvesting them yourself, you will need to dry them out before use. Before steeping your tea, roast the dried roots in a pot until they darken and become fragrant. From roasting the roots, this tea will be a dark color once brewed.
The Scent of Dandelion Tea
For dandelion petal tea, the smell is very similar to how it tastes. When brewed, this tea has a sweet and floral aroma.
Even though dandelion root tea tastes bitter like coffee, its smell is quite different. Dandelion root tea smells like chocolate when brewed, creating a bitter-sweet profile for its taste and smell.
Dandelion root tea would be perfect to brew in the colder months as it has a warm aroma. Dandelion petal tea would be perfect for Spring and Summer for its light and fun aroma. Even though dandelions only grow for a short time, they are perfect for all sorts of weather.
The Benefits of Dandelions
Dandelions have been used as a herbal remedy for many years. These so-called weeds can be very beneficial to your health. Here are some of its benefits:
- Rich in antioxidants
- Aids the digestive process
- High in vitamin a, vitamin c, vitamin e, and vitamin k
- Rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium
- Can fight inflammation
- Can lower blood sugar and blood pressure
- Can lower cholesterol
- Can reduce water weight and help with bloating
- For topical uses, dandelions can help soothe small skin wounds, acne, or eczema
Can The Taste of Dandelion Root Tea Replace Coffee?
With the bitter flavor profile that dandelion root tea has, many people find the drink similar to coffee. Dandelion root tea has a similar taste and looks to coffee and people can always add milk and other additives to it. This makes dandelion tea a caffeine-free substitute for many people.
While coffee does have its benefits, people can be concerned about caffeine intake or about the effects that coffee can have on the body. People like to use dandelion tea to replace their coffee as it has all the good qualities of coffee along with additional nutrients. If someone has to cut back on caffeine, dandelion tea is the way to go.
Final Thoughts
Dandelion tea is so versatile as it can be made with several different parts of the plant. With each way of brewing, dandelion tea can taste completely different. With this broad flavor ability, many people can enjoy the drink whether they prefer the sweeter or more bitter.
It’s time to spot painting dandelions in a negative light. During the Spring months, they both add color to the land and flavor to people’s drinks.
