Make Garden Fresh Tea: How to Bundle Fresh Herbs for the Perfect Steep

Have you ever made tea with fresh herbs right from the garden? There’s something special about steeping herbs you’ve just picked – the aroma is incredible and the flavor is so much brighter than dried tea bags from the store.

These simple herb bundles are like making your own tea bags, but so much better because you’re using fresh herbs. They’re perfect for your daily cup of tea and make beautiful gifts too. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to make your own fresh herb bundles that are perfect for steeping and sharing.

A Word of Caution: While these fresh herb tea bundles are wonderful for an occasional cup, herbs should be enjoyed in moderation. If you’re pregnant, taking medications, or have health concerns, check with your medical practitioner before enjoying herb teas regularly rather than just occasionally.

Why I Started Making Herb Bundles

After growing herbs for over a decade, I’ve tried every method for brewing fresh herb tea. I’ve dealt with floating leaves in my cup, stuffed tea balls that don’t hold enough fresh herbs, and messy strainers. Then I started making simple herb bundles, and it changed everything.

Now I gather herbs in the morning while they’re still fresh with dew, tie them into neat little bundles, and have them ready to steep whenever I want a cup. I make extra to share with friends who stop by, pack them in hostess gifts, and include them in care packages. Everyone loves receiving these little bundles of garden freshness, especially when they’re looking for something special to serve at gatherings.

After a lot of trial and error (and many cups of tea), I’ve figured out which herbs work best, how to tie them so they stay together, and the right amounts for a perfect cup. Even if you’re just starting to use fresh herbs for tea, don’t worry – this method is actually easier than dealing with loose herbs. Let’s get started.

What You’ll Need

Before we start making herb bundles, let’s gather a few simple supplies. You probably have most of these in your kitchen already:

• Kitchen twine or cotton string – Make sure it’s food-safe. I use plain white cotton string from my kitchen drawer. Avoid anything colored or synthetic that might leach into your tea.
• Sharp scissors – You’ll need these for cutting both herbs and string. I keep a pair just for herbs to avoid any cross-contamination from other kitchen tasks.
• Fresh herbs – Choose herbs that are bright and healthy looking. For these single-serve bundles, I usually grab about 3-4 stems of mint, a small sprig of rosemary, or a tiny handful of lavender stems. You’ll quickly get a feel for what makes a good cup just by eyeballing it.
• Paper for tags (optional) – If you’re gifting these or making different blends, small paper tags are helpful. I often cut these from brown kraft paper or card stock I have on hand.

A note about the herbs: If you’re picking them from your garden, harvest them in the morning after the dew has dried but before the day gets too hot. This is when their essential oils are strongest, giving you the most flavorful tea.

Don’t worry too much about exact measurements – these bundles are pretty forgiving. After making a few, you’ll naturally know how much to use. The beauty of these single-serve bundles is that they’re sized just right for one perfect cup.

Best Herbs for Tea Bundles

After years of experimenting, I’ve found that some herbs work better than others for these single-serve bundles. The best ones are those that naturally hold their shape and pack plenty of flavor.

My Go-To Herbs for Bundling:

• Mint (varieties of mint) – The stems are sturdy and the leaves stay put
• Rosemary – Perfect because it’s naturally stiff and holds together well
• Lavender – The stems bundle beautifully and keep their shape
• Lemon verbena – The long stems are easy to work with
• Sage – The sturdy leaves and stems make tidy bundles
• Lemon balm – While the stems are softer, it works well mixed with sturdier herbs
• Thyme – Small but mighty, it pairs well with other herbs

My Favorite Combinations: I like to keep some bundles simple with just one herb, but these combinations work really well together:

• Mint + Lemon Balm – A bright, refreshing blend
• Lavender + Sage – Calming and cozy
• Rosemary + Thyme – Perfect for cooler days
• Mint + Lemon Verbena – My go-to summer blend

Quick Tip: When combining herbs, I usually use one with sturdy stems (like rosemary or mint) to give the bundle structure, then add softer herbs around it. This helps keep everything together when steeping.

Remember, these are just suggestions based on what grows well in my garden. Feel free to experiment with whatever herbs you have on hand – that’s part of the fun!

The Perfect Herb Bundle

Let’s keep this simple – making herb bundles doesn’t need to be complicated. After making hundreds of these, I’ve found that visual cues work better than precise measurements.

Size Matters

For a single cup of tea, you want your bundle to be about as thick as a pencil when gently squeezed together. If you’re using mint, that’s about 3-4 nice stems with leaves. For something compact like lavender, grab enough stems to make a small bundle about the width of your thumb. With rosemary, 2-3 stems usually do the trick.

Getting the Strength Right

• For lighter herbs like mint or lemon balm: Make a slightly thicker bundle (think marker thickness instead of pencil)
• For strong herbs like rosemary or sage: Keep the bundle thinner (pencil-width is perfect)
• For delicate herbs like thyme: You’ll want a bit more to get good flavor

Quick Tip: If you’re not sure, start with a smaller bundle. You can always let it steep longer, but you can’t take away strength once it’s too strong!

Adjusting to Taste

Everyone has different preferences for tea strength. Here’s how to adjust:

• Want stronger tea? Let it steep an extra minute or two
• Tea too strong? Make your next bundle a bit smaller
• Perfect strength? Take a quick photo of your bundle size as a reference

Remember, fresh herbs are generally milder than dried, so don’t be shy about using what seems like a generous amount. The beauty of these bundles is that you can easily adjust the size until you find your perfect cup.

I’ve found that starting with these guidelines and then tweaking based on your taste is the best way to get consistently good results. After making a few bundles, you’ll develop an eye for exactly how much you need.

How to Make Fresh Herb Tea Bundles

Gather Herbs: Choose 3-4 stems of fresh herbs like mint, rosemary, or lavender

Clean Herbs: Gently shake herbs to remove any debris (no need to wash if garden-fresh and organic)

Trim Stems: Cut stems to 4 inches long, keeping leaves attached at top

Arrange Bundle: Hold herbs together at base where leaves meet stems, keeping all stems aligned

Cut String: Measure 12 inches of food-safe cotton string

Make First Wrap: Hold string at midpoint, wrap twice around herb stems just below leaves

Secure Bundle: Tie a double knot, keeping it snug but not tight enough to bruise herbs

Create Steeping String: Leave a 3-inch tail for easy dunking and removing from cup

Add Tag (Optional): Thread paper tag onto string tail before final knot if labeling different blends

Store Bundles: Keep in covered container in fridge up to 3 days, making sure bundles stay dry

Steeping Your Fresh Herb Bundles

I’ve learned that steeping fresh herbs is pretty straightforward, and these little bundles make it even easier. Here’s what works best:

Hot Water Temperature

Pour a cup of water that’s just off the boil over your bundle. I bring my kettle to a boil, then let it sit for about 1 – 2 minutes. Too hot, and delicate herbs like mint can turn bitter.

Steeping Times

Each herb is a bit different, but here’s what I’ve found works best:

• Mint and lemon balm: 3-4 minutes
• Rosemary and sage: 4-5 minutes
• Lavender: 3 minutes only (gets bitter if left too long)
• Mixed bundles: Go with the shorter time first

How to Tell When It’s Ready

Your tea is ready when:

• You can smell the herbs strongly
• The water has taken on a light color
• A quick taste test shows good flavor but isn’t bitter

A simple trick I use – lift the bundle slightly out of the water after 3 minutes. If the aroma is strong and pleasant, it’s probably ready.

Getting a Second Cup

Unlike store-bought tea bags, these fresh bundles often have enough flavor for a second steep:

• First cup will be strongest
• Second steep needs an extra minute or two
• Works best with heartier herbs like rosemary and mint
• Add fresh hot water right away for best results

Quick Tip: Keep the string tail draped over the cup edge for easy removal. No more fishing around with a spoon!

Making Your Perfect Cup

While these herb bundles make delicious tea on their own, sometimes it’s nice to add a little something extra. Here are my favorite ways to enhance a cup of fresh herb tea:

Natural Sweeteners

• Infused Honey – my go-to for herb teas
• Raw sugar – especially nice with mint
• Lavender sugar cubes – perfect with any floral blend
• Stevia leaves – if you grow them, add a small leaf to your bundle

Other Add-Ins

• A splash of milk works well with sage or lavender tea
• Lemon slices brighten up mint blends
• Orange peel adds warmth to rosemary tea
• Fresh ginger can be bundled with your herbs for extra zip

My Favorite Combinations

• Mint tea with honey and a little lemon juice
• Lavender tea with a lavender sugar cube and splash of milk for a sweet tea
• Sage tea with honey and grated ginger
• Rosemary tea with an orange slice

Quick Tip: Add any sweetener after steeping to really taste the fresh herbs. I find that adding honey or sugar while it’s steeping can mask the delicate garden-fresh flavors.

Tips for Making the Best Fresh Herb Bundles

After years of making herb bundles, I’ve learned some tricks that make a big difference. Here’s what works best for me:

Best Time to Harvest

• Early morning after dew has dried
• Before the hot sun hits them
• Harvest young, bright green growth
• Don’t pick right after rain

Handling Your Herbs

• Hold herbs by stems to avoid bruising
• Cut with clean, sharp scissors
• Shake gently to remove any garden debris
• Skip washing if they’re clean from your garden
• If you must wash, dry completely to avoid soggy tea

Making Bundles Last

• Keep stems in a glass of water like flowers
• Store in fridge with a loose plastic bag over top
• Make only what you’ll use in 2-3 days
• Check daily and remove any wilted pieces

Quick Tips:

• Harvest twice as much mint as you think you need – it shrinks as it sits
• Woody herbs like rosemary and sage hold up better than soft herbs
• Remove any brown or damaged leaves before bundling
• Don’t bundle wet herbs – they can mold (I dry mine on a paper towel)

Signs It’s Time to Make New Bundles

• Leaves look wilted
• Stems feel soft
• Color has darkened
• Aroma has faded
• Any sign of yellowing

I’ve found the key is treating fresh herbs gently and using them while they’re at their peak. Sure, they’ll still make tea after a few days, but the flavor won’t be as bright and fresh.

Remember: These bundles are meant to be simple – don’t overthink it. If the herbs look and smell fresh, they’ll make great tea.

Sharing Your Fresh Herb Bundles

I love sharing gifts from my garden, whether it’s pretty jars of garden herbs or these fresh tea bundles. There’s something special about giving someone a little piece of what you’ve grown. These tea bundles are one of my favorite ways to share – they’re simple but feel really special, especially when someone’s coming over for tea or as a heartfelt hostess gift. Here’s how I prepare them for sharing:

Presentation Ideas

• Line up 3-4 bundles in a small box like tea bags
• Arrange in a vintage teacup
• Tuck into a clear cellophane bag
• Bundle with a special mug
• Place in a small mason jar with lid

Making Them Gift-Ready

• Create bundles the morning you plan to give them
• Make each bundle the same size for a neat look
• Use nice string or twine (still food-safe)
• Add small paper tags with herb names
• Include steeping instructions

Labels Should Include:

• Herbs used
• “Use within 2-3 days”
• “Keep refrigerated”
• Basic steeping time
• Your garden’s name (optional)

Storage Tips for Recipients

• Keep in fridge until ready to use
• Store in container with lid
• Use while herbs are bright and fresh
• Don’t let bundles get squished

Quick Tip: I often include a note explaining that these are meant to be used soon – they’re a fresh garden treat, not meant for long storage like dried tea bags.

Making your own garden-fresh tea bundles is a wonderful way to enjoy homegrown herbs and create different flavors right from your herb garden. Whether you’re a dedicated tea drinker or just enjoy an occasional cup of tea, these simple bundles let you experience the bright, fresh taste of herbs at their peak.

From fresh mint leaves to lavender, each type of herb brings its own character to your hot tea. The best part is knowing exactly where your tea leaves come from – your own tea garden! On summer days, these bundles work beautifully for iced tea too.

Remember, homemade fresh teas are meant to be enjoyed as an occasional treat. As with any plant material, some herbs have medicinal properties, so enjoy them in moderation.

Next time you’re in your garden, try gathering a few stems of your garden herbs to make these bundles. There’s something special about sipping tea from herbs you’ve grown yourself. Whether you’re sharing them as gifts or keeping them for your own daily cup, these fresh herb bundles are a delicious way to enjoy your garden’s bounty.

Enjoy friends!