February 25, 2014
In the evenings, the scent of the orange blossoms fills the air, making you giddy with its amazing fragrance. God, if I could bottle that scent and sell it at the Cos Bar! Coming home from dinner last night that sweet, fresh scent hit me hard from our orange trees. I may have actually swooned. It was still on my mind this morning. Slipping on my flip-flops, grabbing my camera and scissors, I set out to try something new.
Irma, our longtime house helper, had told me that her father in Mexico would wake her every morning with fresh orange blossom tea. Irma said it’s used to calm your nerves. To keep my nerves calm, I doubled checked the safety and fresh orange blossoms checked out.
Irma taught me her father’s technique and it made simply the most beautiful, fragrant, special cup of tea. One sniff and sip was all it took for me to understand the dreamy, content look on Irma’s face as she shared the secrets of this beautiful cup of love.
I’m not sure how to explain it, except that everything about it feels delicate, pretty and special — the color, the bright citrus notes and the feeling that you are sipping the extract of magical petals. It can be served hot or iced and it is so easy to make. If you’re in the lucky bunch to have orange trees in your backyard, you’ll want to make this tea a morning tradition in your home.
This tea tastes best in one of your prettiest teacups.
Choose citrus trees that are not sprayed with chemicals.
Pick your blossoms and leaves in the morning, when the sun hasn’t hit the buds.
Gently wash and separate the blossom (I use buds, too) and leaves — I had a few ants hanging out.
Place four cups of water in a pot and bring to boil.
Once the water boils, add 10 flowers and 10 leaves. Simmer for five minutes with the lid on.
Strain and enjoy.
