Planting and Drying Herbs for Tea

Master gardener Chris Dawson groups mints and thyme that like full sun and well-drained soil. Spearmint (Mentha spicata) makes a nice hot tea or accent to iced tea. Orange mint (Mentha x piperita f. citrate) has purple leaves and a citrus flavor and scent. Lemon thyme (Thymus x citriodorus) is not typically used for tea, although it does have many culinary uses.

Herbs can be used fresh from the garden or dried. Air-drying herbs is an easy process.

• Harvest herbs mid-morning after the dew has dried but before the plants have been exposed to strong sun.
  
• Cut lengths of herbs that are long enough to tie.
  
• Handle the herbs carefully so you don't crush or damage the leaves and release the oils.
  
• Tie the herbs into small bundles.
  
• Hang the herbs upside down in an area that has low humidity and is out of direct sunlight.
  
• Once the herbs are completely dry, crumble them and store in an airtight container.