Lemon Balm

Description

Lemon Balm, (Latin: Melissa officinalis). If that doesn?t sound soothing we don?t know what does. Interestingly, Lemon Balm has nothing to do with lemons, other than its scent, which hints gently of the citrus fruit. The herb is actually a perennial n the mint family Lamiaceae and is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean. For more than two millennia Lemon Palm has been valued as a natural remedy for all manner of afflictions.

The ancient Roman scholar and natural philosopher Pliny the Elder believed that Lemon Balm could prevent infection in open wounds - a handy thing considering the near constant campaigns of the Roman army. During the 16th century, the Swiss Physician, alchemist and occultist Philippus Theophrastus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim, otherwise known as Paracelsus, believed that Lemon Balm could heal patients who were hovering near death. (He also believed that astrological talismans could cure the sick however, so.well.we like to take him with a grain of salt.) Around the same time - the Middle Ages - an English writer named Culpepper wrote, "Lemon Balm causeth the Mind and Heart to becom merry, and reviveth the Heart.especially of such who are overtaken in their sleep, and driveth away al troublesome cares and thought". That?s some glowing praise for a little herb! A little closer to the present, in her book A Modern Herbal, published in 1931, noted herbalist Mrs. M. Grieve equates ingesting Lemon Balm with longevity. One of the folk legends she mentions is that of a man named John Hussey who lived to be 116 years old thanks to a steaming cup of Lemon Balm tea every morning for 50 years. She believed Lemon Balm had a positive effect on the nervous system, circulatory system and digestive system.
Whichever of the above scholars you choose to believe one thing is true - actually two things are true. One is that when using herbs for healing purposes it is always important to separate myth from reality and talk with a health professional first. The second is that Lemon Grass with its delicate lemon character makes a delicious herbal tisane or exotic addition to a custom tea blend. Prepare something wonderful in your shop today. Who knows, you might gain a repeat customer for the next 116 years!

Steeping Instructions

PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Herbal Tea

IDEAL BREWING TEMPERATURE: 100ºC/212ºF

ANTIOXIDANT BENEFIT: For a greater antioxidant benefit brew longer and use more tea.

FOOD SAFETY ADVISORY: We strongly recommend using filtered or freshly drawn cold water brought to a rolling boil when brewing all types of tea. Today's water has been known to carry viruses, parasites and bacteria. Boiling the water will kill these elements and reduce the potential incidence of water-borne illnesses.

Epic Iced Tea Instructions

Tea isn't just served hot!  Iced tea is one of the most refreshing and natural thirst quenchers around the world.  Here is our suggested method of brewing the best iced tea.

ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Pitcher): (To Make 1 Liter/Quart):

1. Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea or 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher.
2. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the tea.
3. Steep for 5 minutes.
4. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water.
5. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the bags.
6. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
7. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase
8. the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.

Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about.

ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Individual Serving):

1. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea or 1 tea bag into a teapot for each serving required.
2. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the tea.
3. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
4. Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags.
5. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving.
6. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted.

Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about.

HERB & FRUIT ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Pitcher): (To Make 1 Liter/Quart):

1. Place 12 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend or 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher.
2. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the herb & fruit blend.
3. Steep for 5-10 minutes.
4. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water.
5. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the tea bags.
6. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
7. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced herb & fruit tea is to increase the strength of hot brew since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.

HERB & FRUIT ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Individual Serving):

1. Place 2 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend or 1 tea bag into a teapot for each serving required.
2. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the herb & fruit blend.
3. Cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes.
4. Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags.
5. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
6. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed herb & fruit tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted.