Blackberry Tea Question

[RangerXanatos]

I just picked some blackberry leaves and rinsed them with some water to remove any debris. Do I now need to store them in the sun or shade to let them dry and do is there any length of time I need to let them dry for or just until they're brown?

[crashdive123]

RX - I have not tried blackberry tea, but you might get some ideas here. http://www.grandmas-wisdom.com/blackberry-tea.html

[Rick]

It's best to pick them in the morning right after the dew has evaporated and before the sun gets on them.The leaves will be "dry" when they are crisp and brittle. You can place them on a wire rack in the oven and dehydrate them. They will still be green in color. If you have any leaf/stalk combination then gently remove the leaves from the stems. You can store the leaves in glass jars just don't crumble them up until you get ready to make your tea.

Use one heaping teaspoon of leaves per 1 cup boiling water. Cover and let it steep for about 10 minutes. Strain, add honey or sugar and enjoy. Don't over steep your tea regardless of what you make it from. 7-10 minutes is about right. If you steep it longer is will just get bitter.

[your_comforting_company]

making sure we are talking about the same thing.. dewberries, or brambles (Rubus trivialis)
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN3094.jpg
There are lots of these around my house. Maybe I'll try it!

[Rick]

The Dewberry and Blackberry are different but real close. Like first cousin close. The leaves on the Dewberry can be used for tea, as well.

[justin_baker]

Theres loads of blackberry bushes around here. The california blackberry bush is pretty different from the eastern blackberry bush though in terms of the actual bush.

[your_comforting_company]

There are a few differences in all the Rubus species, but I figured being in the same Genus maybe they had the same uses.
http://botany.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/cgi/gallery_query?q=rosaceae

[Rick]

No disagreement, YCC. I was just trying to point out, to those that might not know, that there is a difference between the two.

[RangerXanatos]

Thanks for all of the replies! I hope that it turns out well.

[your_comforting_company]

Well, I'm still learning, Rick, so if I ask a silly question sometimes, just bear with me. After looking through the pictures on TAMU I discovered there are a few different species right here. I didn't know if all plants in that genus were edible or if it was species specific.

After reading what I posted, I could see it was kind of a silly comment lol. Oh well, if you can't laugh at yourself ...:tongue_smilie:

[Rick]

Well, I didn't think it was a silly comment at all.