Rosehip tea is known for its high vitamin C concentration and many other vitamins and minerals. Naturally dried rose hips make a caffeine-free herbal tea that's mild and fruity with a slightly tangy taste. Enjoy it alone, or mix it with other fruits and herbs.
Did you know?
Rosehips are the seed pods of roses. They are the reddish-orange fruits of the rose plant and appear after the petals have fallen off. Over the centuries, rosehips have been used for their flavour and as a health remedy.
Origins & History Of Rose Hips
There are many variations of Rose. All have rose hips which are the fruit of the rose. Roses, such as Rosa canina and Rosa rugosa, can make rosehips. Rosa canina, known as "dog rose," grows well in various soils and climates and has been growing in Europe for centuries. Its high vitamin C content makes it a valuable ingredient in traditional medicines.
Rosa canina is reported to have received the name 'dog rose' because a Roman physician in the 1st century described a mother who had used the root to cure her son from a mad dog's bite. There are other theories but remains of rose hips have been found dating back to prehistoric settlements indicating its culinary use for the people of that time.
Rosa rugosa, often called "beach rose," likes well-drained soil and sun. It grows large rosehips that look like tomatoes and taste sour.
How well these rose varieties are cared for dramatically affects how many and how good their rosehips are. These include watering, pruning, and pest control techniques.
Harvesting
Rosehips are best picked after the first frost when the fruits are bright red and a little soft. Depending on the area, commercial harvesting can be done by hand, with machines, or by shaking the bush and letting the fruits fall onto a canvas.
Production
The next step in commercial production is to clean and sort the fruits to make sure that only the best ones are used. Then they are dried by letting them dry in the air or using machines. Rosehips can be sold as-is once they are dry or crushed or ground to make tea or powder.
Flavour Profile
Rosehip tea has a unique taste because it tastes fruity, sour, and just a little bit sweet. There are small differences in taste and smell between dried and fresh. The dried ones taste more earthy and rich.
Rosehip tea is good for your health.
Rosehips stand out because they have a lot of good nutrients, especially vitamin C and antioxidants. Regularly drinking rosehip tea may help the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve the skin's health, among other things.
How to make tea from Rosehips
To make rosehip tea, you have to put dried rosehips in boiling water and let them sit for a while. But the methods can differ depending on whether you use fresh rosehips, how strong you want the flavour, or if you add anything else. Here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients
- 50g dried rosehips
- 4 cups of water
- Honey to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Give the rosehips a quick crush to help release their flavour.
- Boil the water and pour it over your crushed rosehips. Let the mixture steep for 6 -10 minutes, depending on the strength you prefer.
- Strain your tea and, if you wish, sweeten it with honey.
- Enjoy your homemade, health-boosting, calming cup of tea!
Not just tea!
Rosehips are used in several ways. One of the most popular uses is to make rosehip syrup. The syrup can be made using either dried or fresh rose hips and, in its simplest form, uses water, rose hips and sugar.
What happens to their Vitamin C when steeping rose hips in boiling water?
During World War II, the UK promoted the consumption of rose hips instead of oranges because they contained so much Vitamin C. As vitamin C is water soluble, it transfers into the water. Heat and the length of time the rosehips are in the water affect the reduction of Vitamin C levels present. Still, trials carried out during the war and published in the British Medical Journal found that the vitamin loss was not as high as once thought.
- INGREDIENTS:
- Luxury Natural Dried Rose Hips.
- ORIGIN:
- Black Forest Region, Germany. Grown: Below 2000 ft above sea level
- CAFFEINE:
- None
- LEAVES:
- 1st Grade, dried and sorted.
- AROMA:
- Sweet pear notes.
- COLOUR:
- Tending pink with light rosy notes.
- TASTE:
- Mild and fruity with a slight tangy taste.
- WELL BEING:
- Energising & Balancing
- STRENGTH:
- Light Bodied