Earth

I’m adding this to my cupboard even though I actually only have it in alive form in the garden. I go out and pluck leaves for tea every now and then. It’s the first thing that comes out of the ground in the spring (that and the chives) and it’s the last thing to die or go dormant in the fall (plus the chives again). I’ve taken to pouring boiling water over a good handful of fresh leaves and then chilling for iced tea. Delicious and refreshing. :) I love having this herb. I still remember the day I bought the little sprout at the Farmers’ Market. :)

Check out lemon balm!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_officinalis

As the name suggests, this is a calming drink. It’s related to mint but I find this more uplifting than mint because it smells so lemony. Lemons smell cheery to me. And if you let it sit in the water for hours, it draws out more menthol. Mmmmenthol! Overall, it tastes like mint and lemons. Mine also tastes like cooked greens cause I used fresh leaves and boiling water. I’m too lazy to dry it for the winter. It’s great iced in the summer too. It’s mild but very satisfying. I’m sure it’s more flavorful dried. :)

And you can all grow your own! I bought one plant a few years ago and now its growing all over the place in the weirdest locations. It’s sprouting the cracks in the concrete. You can’t kill this stuff!

Nice taste, as expected close to the smell of the leaves, fresh from the garden .. have to figure out best steep times and temperature. Need also to try it with sugar or honey! Calms nicely down