When and how to collect and dry Ivan tea

When to pick Ivan Tea

The leaves are harvested during the flowering of the plant - so they will have a rich taste and aroma. This period falls on the end of June - beginning of August. Depending on the climatic features of the region, the dates may be shifted by several days.

How to collect Ivan tea

Go harvesting plants in dry weather. Try not to collect them near roads, near cities and businesses. In such Ivan‑tea, harmful substances can accumulate. It is best to look for it in forest clearings and edges.

Collect leaves from the middle part of the trunk. It is better to leave the lower ones so as not to deprive the plant of nutrition. In addition, they are coarser and not suitable for harvesting. You can tear off the leaves individually. And to speed up the process, hold the top of the stem with one hand, and remove the leaves with the other hand from top to bottom.

How to ferment Ivan Chai before drying

Carefully sort through all the collected leaves and discard spoiled, rotten, diseased or affected pests.

Then tightly fold willowherb tea in a plastic bag, tie it and leave it for 12 hours in the shade at room temperature for pre-fermentation.

After that, pour the leaves from the bag into a basin or other large container. Intensively knead the workpieces with your hands, as if you were kneading dough. You need to do this until the greens let the juice out. Gain strength and patience - the process can take half an hour.

Roll the crushed leaves into tight balls the size of a chicken egg.

Place the leaf balls in a clean plastic bag. Squeeze it tightly to release all the air, and tie it in a knot.

Leave the tea bag for about 12-14 hours in the shade at room temperature to re-ferment. After that, the leaves will acquire a light aroma of dried fruits. And this is what fermented greens will look like.

How to dry Ivan tea

Arrange the fermented leaves on a baking sheet in a layer about 2 cm.

Place the baking sheet in the oven, preheated to 100 degrees. Leave the door ajar by about 5 cm. Dry willow tea for about 2 hours, stirring the leaves occasionally.

Readiness can be determined by the structure: the tea should become dry and break easily when pressed. Once the leaves have reached the desired condition, remove the baking sheet and let them cool at room temperature.

How to store Ivan tea

Pour dry leaves into glass jars with a tightly screwed lid or into tin boxes.

Store willow tea in a dark, dry place at room temperature.