With roses about to start off their new blooms but the weather still unpredictable, it’s the perfect time of year to experiment with homemade rose petal teas. Here’s a recipe to make your own:

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbs dried rose petals*
  • 1 Wanilla bean
  • 2½cups boiling water
  • Honey

*A note about drying rose petals

You can dry rose petals in the oven at 80°C degrees for 15 to 30 minutes on a tray with baking tray liner. Turn them often and keep an eye on them.

You can air dry them, but you’ll need to avoid direct sunlight and turn them over frequently in a well ventilated space for a few days.

METHOD:

  1. Place the dried rose petals and vanilla bean in a measuring cup or teapot
  2. Pour boiling water over everything
  3. Stir in the honey
  4. Cover and leave for 30 minutes
  5. Chop up strawberries and bring them a boil and then simmer for 3 minutes
  6. Let them sit for 2 minutes with the heat off
  7. Add the strawberry brew to the mix when it’s done sitting (how much you add is up to you and your flavour preference)
  8. Strain and serve!

This can stay in the fridge for two days. Reheat it but do not boil it.