How to Dry Currant Leaves for Tea

Tea is considered to be the most popular drink in the world. Many people have heard about the ceremonies held in ancient times. When choosing a product, consumers are faced with prohibitive prices for a high-quality grade of raw materials. Involuntarily, the idea of ​​brewing a drink from existing plants comes to mind. In order not to doubt the quality of the selected tea, you can make it yourself from the leaves of currant. Consider the basic aspects in order, give practical advice.

The benefits of currant leaves

1. The raw material contains a large amount of oil esters, ascorbic acid and volatile. Also in the composition are micro and macro elements that beneficially affect the immune system.
2. With regular use of currant tea, a person is less sick, feels cheerfulness. His “fighting spirit” rises, insomnia disappears, the psychoemotional background stabilizes.
3. Currant leaves prevent the development of benign and malignant tumors. If you drink tea at least 100 ml. per day, the level of glucose in the blood is normalized. The latter aspect helps people with diabetes to have a full life.

Currant Leaf Harvest Time

1. Proceed with the collection of raw materials only after the leaves have completely blossomed. Do not rush to break off wet specimens, it is preferable to carry out the procedure after the bush dries. Collect raw materials in the morning before the scorching sun comes out.
2. If you use leaves as a healthy tea, it is worth considering that the best time to harvest is from May to June. At this time, the bush has not yet begun to bloom, the leaves remain juicy and young.
3. If for some reason the collection failed at the appointed time, the procedure can be rescheduled. Tear off saturated green leaves, they have a slightly lower vitamin content (about 10%). In any case, the aroma and taste will not lose their saturation.

Method number 1. Drying leaves naturally

1. After reviewing the rules for collecting leaves for tea, we can assume that half the way has been completed. Now you need to prepare the raw materials for future use.
2. Choose a place for drying that meets three main criteria - air dryness, lack of direct ultraviolet radiation, heat. After choosing a place, start laying out the raw materials.
3. Select the substrate on which the berry leaves will lie. Suitable plastic film, gauze or landscape sheets. Do not use newspapers to prevent ink from printing on the leaves.
4. Lay the raw materials in one row, ensuring uniform drying. Leave to dry completely, periodically check the leaves for rotting. Exclude corrupted instances, change the background immediately.
5. To assess the readiness of tea leaves, just take one of them and check for fragility. If the product breaks immediately, drying is complete.
6. Pick up a plastic container or glass jar for storage. Make sure the container and lid are dry. Even a small drop of liquid will provoke the development of mold. Send the leaves in containers, cork, keep in a dark place.

Method number 2. Drying leaves in the oven

1. Go through the leaves, exclude rotten specimens. Take a baking sheet, line it with parchment paper for baking. Arrange the raw materials in one row so that the leaves do not touch each other.
2. Turn on the oven 100 degrees, preheat for a quarter of an hour.After that, reduce the power to 80 degrees, send the baking sheet inward.
3. Dry the leaves for about 30 minutes, periodically checking for readiness. After half an hour, open the door to allow steam to escape.
4. The structure will tell you about the readiness of currant leaves. Raw materials must become brittle. Take a leaf in your hand, try to break it.
5. Some housewives prefer to grind currant leaves in a blender or coffee grinder. You can do the same, it all depends on personal preferences.
6. Next, collect the composition in a dry jar or container, send for long-term storage in a dark place. It is advisable to keep the product away from sunlight and household appliances.

Method number 3. Drying leaves through fermentation

1. First you need to collect leaves at the “right” time. After this, transfer the raw materials to a clean paper or gauze, leave for 20 hours in a cool and dark room.
2. During the preliminary preparation, constantly mix the leaves. After the specified period, take 7-10 leaves. Start twisting them until the liquid is released.
3. Pick up glassware, place the prepared tea rolls in it. Cover with a damp cotton cloth. Leave the workpiece in a warm room.
4. Remember to check the leaves. You also need to constantly wet the fabric when it dries. The delicious aroma of currants will tell you about the readiness of the composition.
5. Now you need to chop the leaves. To do this, chop them with scissors or smash them with your hands. Line the baking sheet with parchment, place the raw materials on top. Preheat the oven to 90 degrees, send the leaves to dry.
6. The duration of the procedure is 1 hour. Periodically check the availability of raw materials. When the leaves are dried, cool them and send in a glass sealed jar. Store in the dark and dry.

Currant tea: recipe

• drinking water - 475 ml.
• honey - quantity at the discretion
• currant leaves - 25 gr.

1. Rinse the clay or porcelain teapot, scald it with boiling water. Pour the leaves, pour boiled hot water, cover the kettle with a lid.
2. Put a terry towel on top so that the heat does not go away. Infuse tea for a third of an hour, then use the finished product as a tea brew.
3. Use sweeteners (sugar or honey) based on personal preferences. If desired, you can cook tea leaves from currant and raspberry leaves at the same time.

The use of currant leaves in cosmetology

1. Lotion. Prepare a decoction of 1 handful of dried raw materials and 1.2 liters. boiling water. Let the composition brew for 3-5 hours, then pass the mixture through a filter of gauze and cotton wool. Soak a cosmetic sponge in the infusion, wipe your face 2 times a day, or use a decoction when washing.
2. Mask. Grind 35-45 gr. dried leaves in a coffee grinder or blender to get powder. Dilute the composition with hot water until a paste forms. Distribute the product over the entire area of ​​the face, paying due attention to the T-shaped zone, chin, forehead. Leave the mask to dry completely, then rinse with warm water and apply the cream.

It is easy to dry the currant leaves for tea, if you have the knowledge and adhere to clear instructions. Carry out the procedure through fermentation, consider options for preparing raw materials in the oven and in a natural way. Make leaf tea that boosts immunity and prevents insomnia. Make a mask or lotion to feel all the charms of currant leaves.

Video: making blackcurrant tea