How to Make Pine Needle Tea

Florida has many trees. The pine tree is one of them. But did you know that you can make tea out of the needles from it? Want to know how? Read the article and find out!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• source of heat(camp fire, stove)
• medium size pot with lid(aluminum, cast iron, or ceramic will do)
• green pine needles from pine tree

1. First, collect enough pine needles to fill the pot about half full. Wash the needles thoroughly with water. Then, place pot 3/4 full of water onto heat source.

2. Bring to boil and let boil for about 5 to 10 minutes. Carefully remove lid and extract needles from pot. The water color should be a light brown to yellowish. Now let the tea steep for 45 minutes to an hour. Once it has had ample steeping time, strain the tea through a coffee filter to remove smaller particles. You may need more than one filter.

3. After filtering into a pitcher, add about 2 cups sugar.(2 cups per gallon of tea) Stir well. Now you can have your pine needle tea.

Tips & Warnings

• When making tea on a campfire, be sure to keep lid on when boiling to prevent smoke from flavoring the tea. Don't ask me how I know this! Hahaha.
• The Southern Pine tree is recommended for use of needles.
• I have not tried other pine tree varieties. Only the Southern Pine.
• Use caution when lifting pot lid to check tea.
• Do not drink tea if you have any allergies related to pine sol products or pine tree by-product materials such as pine cleaners and air fresheners.
• Allow tea to cool before pouring.

[kayyak]

on 9/16/2008 Boil water FIRST. Then put in needles. Steep for about 30 minutes.
Boiling the needles boils out the Vitamin C.

[kayyak]

on 9/16/2008 Boil the water first. Then turn off heat source. Add needles. Let steep 30 minutes. Boiling the needles first boils out the Vitamin C.

[bmi57]

on 1/16/2008 I can't wait to try this tea. Thanks.