Rosehip Tea
Rosehip is a herbal miracle that I learnt from dad. He is one of those who hates using medicine and prefers herbal remedy instead. He always says that the nature always serves us what we need. I was so surprised as a child by dad’s knowledge on some herbs when we had a walk around the village where he spent his childhood. When passing along some wild bushes, he would stop, pick a few small fruits, rub them on his clothes to remove the dust and throw one into his mouth and give the rest to me. I didn’t have any single idea what I was eating then as we wouldn’t see such fruits at the markets or bazaars (we still don’t see many of them). They were incredibly fresh and they made me feel like I was in a different world (most probably because I would watch “Alice in Wonderland” then). How was it possible that he knew so much about these interesting fruits or herbs? He said that in his childhood, the children of that village would gather and go exploring on the mountains. As there were no computer games in their time, they would create their own games then. Their games would generally contain the things they could find in forests on mountains. They would invent a game from the twigs of bushes or trees, from dandelions or even from pine cones. And while playing in the forest, dad says that they would never feel hungry as they would snack various wild fruits they came across. In this way, they would learn what fruit was edible by experimenting. Sounds like a real learning in nature, doesn’t it?
Rosehip was one of the wild fruits they would see so often in the forest. And they would fill their pockets with rosehips whenever they saw it as they knew how healthy it was. When they empty their pockets at home, their mom would make either rosehip tea or rosehip marmalade.
Being aware of the benefits of rosehip, dad has turned it into a usual tea for us by making it often. Therefore, the word ‘rosehip’ doesn’t remind us of a disease unlike many people who identify this fruit with the flu. Of course, it’s known as one of the best herbal remedies against the flu and it strengthens immune system, but at the same time it’s a great drink with a sourish flavor. In Winter you can drink it hot, and it makes a perfect cold drink in Summer. Even when dried, it doesn’t lose the vitamins it contains. Experts say that it is a stock of vitamin C, about 40 times more than citrus fruits.
It’s so easy to make the rosehip tea, and you will need a teapot to brew the tea.
Kusburnu Cayi
Ingredients
- A handful rosehip (about 10 pods)
- 5 or 6 cups of water
- Honey
Pour the water in the teapot. Throw the rosehips into it. Put its lid on. Heat it over medium heat for about 5 minutes. When it starts to boil, bring it to the lowest heat and keep boiling for about 10 minutes. Then take it from fire. Let it rest for about 5 minutes. Then, pour it to cups and sweeten it with a little honey.
If you would like to drink it cold, pour all into a jug, mix it with honey or sugar and wait it in refrigerator until cold.
If you want to make it just for 2 servings (just like I did yesterday), decrease the given measurements. I used a coffeepot and pour 2 small cups of water in it and 5 rosehip pods were enough.
As a Winter drink (sorry for the photo, the batteries of my camera was about to end).
As a Summer drink
Before grilling any vegetable, pierce it with knife or fork, then put it in oven/on grill. This way, it cooks better.
OysterCulture on Thu, 17th Dec 2009 6:00 pm
I love rosehip tea but was unaware of all its medicinal benefits. Thanks so much for sharing all this wonderful information. Now when I unpack my tea kettle I’ll have to get some rosehip tea!
jenn (Bread + Butter) on Thu, 17th Dec 2009 6:40 pm
This is a first I’ve heard of this type of tea. I can just imagine the flavor of it.
I think cup of this would be perfect right about now.
The Little Teochew on Thu, 17th Dec 2009 7:39 pm
Rosehip is commonly used in Chinese cooking too! In fact, I have a packet of Chinese tea with rosehips in my larder
DianaHayes on Fri, 18th Dec 2009 6:41 am
Does it matter what roses it comes from? Should the rosehips be red when you pick them?
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie on Fri, 18th Dec 2009 5:15 pm
A homemade rosehip tea sounds wonderful, so much good vitamin C! I was wishing for fresh rosehips when I was making that carrot wolfberry soup a few months ago, that would have entirely completed the range of immunity boosters I was looking for.
Faith on Sat, 19th Dec 2009 8:03 am
I’ve never had rosehip tea, does is have a faintly floral taste? All those health benefits are amazing! Your pictures are really lovely, Zerrin!
Sophie on Sat, 19th Dec 2009 11:23 am
Rosehip tea is one of my 5 favourite teas!!! Thanks for this easy yet so apart recipe!
trompyx on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 2:54 am
Sounds like a real learning in nature, doesn’t it?
Jessie on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 8:33 am
I love rosehips tea! It’s one of the main ingredients in passion tea
Daily Spud on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 5:31 pm
Gosh, it’s many years since I had rosehip tea. I believe that rosehips were very commonly used here in Ireland in past times, but, unfortunately, you don’t hear about them being used much anymore.
Erica on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 2:59 pm
Great info! I have o try that tea soon….Happy Holidays!
Gera @ SweetsFoods on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 4:36 pm
I don’t have this tea here to try it but no doubt that is excellent for the body after reading
Happy Holidays!
Cheers,
Gera
Soma on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 8:42 pm
This has to be fabulous.
Wish you a happy holidays and a great year ahead zerrin.
Cynthia Nelson on Sat, 26th Dec 2009 1:07 pm
Happy Holidays!
Trissa on Sun, 3rd Jan 2010 12:26 am
What an informative post – I have never tried rosehip – and had no idea what it was good for… thanks for sharing this!
tasteofbeirut on Wed, 27th Jan 2010 8:25 pm
I was so happy to discover Istanbul this past holiday and my daughter and I fell in love with the city. I was also lucky to walk around the Bazaar and I brought back some natural apple tea, which I love; I also brought back sahlep and other spices.
I did not know about this type of tea, or I would have bought it! Next time!
Tom Baker on Tue, 16th Feb 2010 7:42 am
Where is the best place to get rosehips? Sounds great because I’d much rather use herbal remedies.
Maninas on Thu, 25th Feb 2010 2:09 am
Rosehip tea is the tea we drink at home in Croatia. With honey and lemon if we’re feeling poorly.