Do you enjoy basil? It seems that nothing invigorates the senses and imagination more than a freshly picked bouquet of Sweet Basil on a warm summer’s day. And it’s so easy to grow, thriving in the garden this time of year. Mine is desperately in need of harvesting so I can begin the drying process, which I do in the garage by laying the small clippings across a horizontal wire frame.
The basil caught my eye the other day as I was pondering possibilities for morning tea. I’ve been looking for a caffeine-free tea that I can enjoy, something aromatic that triggers my senses. But I want an earthy palette, not a sweet or fruity flavor. I love green teas, but I’ve found that the caffeine-free varieties still contain enough of the drug to render me zingy-headed and sleepless at night.
And if I can grow the plants myself, all the better! I spied the basil with its abundance of greenery and aroma and thought - why not give it a try? I returned to the house and pulled out a supply of last year’s basil, dried and packed into a mason jar. I placed several of the aging, brittle leaves into a cup and steeped them in hot water for 5 minutes. Magically the brown, crumply leaves were restored to their original, vibrant ardor and the brew released an aroma every bit as rich and deep as the verdant green plants out in the garden. I inhaled the deeply fragrant aroma and allowed my mind flow on its billowy swells.
I’ve found my morning tea!
Tastes as delicious as it smells!
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