T Stands for Tisanes

Today I'm taking you to my herbal garden

where we will be talking about tisanes.  Tisanes are any beverage made from an infusion (steeping) or decoction (boiling) of herbs.  Tisanes are also commonly known as infusions, botanicals, herbal infusion, or herbal tea.  Technically, they are not "tea" in the true sense of the word.  Common tisanes include mint and rooibos.

I was anxious to try my chocolate mint, and all I needed to do was cut some, especially since I had been avoiding cutting it.

I wasn't sure how much I would need, so I cut enough to fit in an infuser.

While I was at it, I decided to cut some of my spearmint, too.  I want to add it to some fresh peaches I bought at the grocery store.

After gently washing and patting the mint dry, I got out my stacking cup and teapot that has no lid.  I thought it would be perfect for this experiment.  I used the strainer/infuser in place of the lid,

placed the bruised leaves in the strainer/infuser

(I bruised them by rubbing them and rolling the mint into a ball),

then poured the boiling water over the bruised leaves, which I pressed down even more with a spoon as I poured the water over the leaves.  

I removed the strainer/infuser and replaced it with the strainer holder that accompanies it.  I was pleased at how well the metal holder fit in the tea pot (Oh look! My fingers still have remnants of paint and spray mists).

I played the waiting game while the tea "brewed."  Just to be on the safe side, I thought I'd pour the tea over the leaves as I added it to the cup. 

I was thrilled that I got a lovely yellow color in my cup, which meant it had actually brewed.

I added lemon for taste and a tiny sprig of the chocolate mint for decoration.   I kept seeing the cup through the viewfinder, thinking my tea was still brewing (which I knew it couldn't be)

so I rotated the cup and realized it was just the late afternoon shadow.

I really enjoyed this tisane experiment, and will do something similar again soon.  After all, I have loads of mint.   BTW, the word tisane is pronounced tea-SANE.

Now it's your turn.  What's been brewing (pun intended) at your place this week?  Please join us with your drink related post.  Anything is possible as long as you can relate it, in some way, back to a drink.  Photos do not have to be taken on Tuesday, but you must link below in order for Bleubeard, the "T" gang, and me to visit.  Or drop by to say hello and consider joining us in the future.  We'd love to have you.