Ivan tea, or as it is also called Koporye tea, was completely undeservedly forgotten. But this drink has a whole story that is inextricably linked with the Russian people. The main name Koporye tea owes to the village of Koporye, located near St. Petersburg. Most of this original Russian drink was procured there. Now this seems unthinkable, but in the 17th century, Russia was the world's largest exporter of tea. They drank Ivan tea in all of Europe, where he was called Russian, and our sailors always took with them a little healing drink.
Today we will pay tribute to this beautiful tea and talk about when to collect ivan tea and how to make it yourself. Do not be lazy and prepare this amazing drink for the winter. From the first sip you will feel the aroma of sunny meadows and enjoy the delightfully delicate floral shade.
When to collect ivan tea
No wonder there is a whole science of herbs called herbal medicine. She teaches us how to handle plants, how to cook them, and in what proportions. After all, even the most useful grass can lose all its properties if used and stored incorrectly. Kopor tea is no exception. From time to time, peasants knew when to pick up Ivan-tea, because it costs him a little pepper, and the drink will lose all its taste properties. Instead of a fragrant aroma, freshly brewed hay will float in your cup. So when to collect ivan tea? As soon as the plant begins to bloom. After all, it is then that leaves and flowers accumulate vital energy in themselves. It is necessary to tear even leaves without holes in the middle of the plant, making sure that it is not sick. Tea is made not only from leaves, but also from flowers.
The method of preparation of willow tea
After the leaves and flowers are collected, they must go through the fermentation process. There are several techniques for fermenting and drying tea, but we will only talk about one of them. So, the leaves need to be washed and cut, laying in a pan. It is not necessary to cut too large so that the plant can produce juice. The optimal size is a piece cut into four parts. Then, in a saucepan, you need to thoroughly knead them with your hands. This may seem like a tedious job at first, but soon your hands will get used to it. At night, bring the pot into the house and leave it under oppression at room temperature. When the leaves undergo the fermentation process, you will notice that they all changed color, becoming darker. Then they need to be dried. Of course, before the peasants did this in Russian ovens. Modern ovens, of course, are far from ideal, but you can use them. Sprinkle the leaves on a baking sheet with a layer of 1.5 cm and dry at a temperature of 100 degrees. Another way of drying: put fermented leaves on a cast-iron frying pan, after which they burn on very low heat for about 40 minutes. And then, constantly stirring and increasing the heat to medium, subject to the drying process. It is very convenient to dry ivan tea in a device such as a dehydrator. The temperature in it does not exceed 50 degrees, which helps to preserve all the beneficial properties of the healing drink. Ivan-tea flowers are prepared in a similar way.
Ivan tea: treatment
Unlike black varieties, Russian tea does not contain caffeine, which means it does not excite the nervous system. Also, a drink from fireweed cleanses the blood, is an antitumor and anti-inflammatory agent, and normalizes blood pressure.
Ivan tea: properties and contraindications
This plant is one of the best honey plants, contains tannins, is rich in vitamin C, sodium, magnesium, calcium, lithium and an easily digestible protein.
Pregnant women should drink it with caution, as well as people with hypersensitivity. Individual intolerance to the plant is possible, although there are no obvious contraindications and side effects in the fireweed.