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Author:
Franco Salzillo
How much do you know about fennel seeds? They’re anise-scented, versatile seeds used in many foods and drinks – They’re one of the most widely used ingredients on the planet!
Fennel seeds are highly nutritious, and they have many health benefits attributed to them, but I’ll talk a bit more about them below. Today we’re making homemade fennel tea, and once you try it and feel its benefits, it will become a regular drink in your diet.
Fennel tea is not properly tea — Only infusions made with tea leaves of Camellia sinensis are authentic tea. All other floral, root, seed or herbal infusions are often called tisanes, and although not actual teas, they’re equally delicious and good for you.
Where do fennel seeds come from? Well, you’ve probably eaten fennel bulb and fennel leaves, and not only the plant’s seeds. All parts of this nutritious plant are edible and used worldwide. The seeds, though, are the most prized. They’re super good for you. Here are some of their health benefits.
Fennel tea has remarkable anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the fennel seed’s many polyphenols, and for their large amounts of dietary fiber, they’re great for your circulatory and digestive system as well.
Some people say a cup of fennel tea reduces bloating and makes them less gassy, but that’s for you to discover.
Fennel seeds are tasty, but their flavor is also quite particular and not everyone’s cup of tea, literally. This means it’s a good idea to play around with different ingredients to make the tea universally palatable.
Adding a few mint leaves to the fennel tea will give a lovely herbaceousness and freshness to the drink. You can use peppermint and even basil, too. Fresh herbs are always better than dried herbs, especially for infusions.
Throwing in a few berries to the infusion, especially if you muddle them first, can liven fennel tea. Peaches are fantastic with fennel seeds as well.
I sweeten my cup of fennel tea with honey but try yours with brown sugar for a deliciously, caramelly infusion.
Don’t underestimate the power of cinnamon. Steeping a cinnamon stick in fennel tea gives it a heartwarming and comforting personality that’s hard not to love.
In a kettle, boil the water and pour it into a cup.
Fill a tea bag with the fennel seeds and crush them slightly using a spoon. Steep in hot water for two minutes.
Remove the tea bag and sweeten the tea to taste (I use one tablespoon of honey).
