Ever tried Pine tea? Its purported to have up to 5 times the concentration of Vitamin C you’d find in a lemon. The Native Americans are generally credited with generously introducing the brew to scurvy-ravaged European sailors who infamously arrived on their shores in the 16th Century.
The actual process for making pine tea appears to be relatively simple. You heat up some water until it’s hot but not boiling, add a portion of pine needles, and then leave to infuse for approximately half an hour. Different Christmas tree varieties will produce different flavours and many people tend to use honey or sugar as a sweetener. However, if you are going to give pine tea a whirl make sure you steer clear of using the needles of the yew tree as these can be highly toxic! Pine tea connoisseurs suggest that varieties such as Blue spruce or Nordmann Fir might be the best option for those of you willing to try a new brew.
However, artisan tea isn’t the only culinary delight that your old Christmas tree could potentially be transformed into! Chefs around the world are increasingly experimenting with the crisp citrusy aromas of pine as a novel means of smoking their meats, infusing their marinades, and flavouring their sweet breads. These techniques have a particularly proud history in Scandinavian countries where the harsh boreal environment have traditionally compelled people to innovate in terms of diet.
But we understand if you’re not a pine nut and you simply just want a beautiful Christmas Tree to decorate your home! Order through Pines & Co and get delivery, installation, and New Year tree collection all included as part of our full-service Christmas tree bundles. Book your preferred delivery date today!
