Lime tree blossom tea – the scent of Latvian summers!
Why are Latvian summers best illustrated by lime tree blossom tea?
The tradition of lime tree blossom tea in Latvia dates back hundreds of years, to the time when our ancestors first found lime tree forests. In July, when lime trees reached the peak of their flowering, our ancestors discovered the scent and taste of the blossoms and named this period of the year Lime tree month. Even today, during every July, the country is perfumed with the sweet scent of lime tree blossoms, letting herb collectors know it’s time to harvest the blossoms for tea.
Why is lime tree blossom tea healthy?
Latvians have learned to take the short summers with them into the long winters by making a hot steaming cup of lime tree-blossom tea releasing a scent that is reminiscent of the summer past. In Latvia lime tree blossom tea is popular due to its healing qualities. It effectively helps against colds, coughs, the flu and high temperature. Lime tree blossom tea can also help lower blood pressure, cure headaches and anxiety. The nervous and stressed can feel restful and calm under flowering lime trees in the summer. Eye and face compresses soaked in lime tree blossom tea will clear the vision and brighten the complexion. Lime tree blossoms have a fever reducing and calming effect, therefore it is best to enjoy the tea slowly and after having a cup, it is better to relax in a calm atmosphere, rather than rushing outside into the cold. And one other thing, apparently lime tree blossoms seen in a dream are a promise of good news to come.
How should lime-blossom tea be prepared?
For the fullest and most expressive taste, lime tree blossom tea should be prepared with clean spring water or well water. Use about 2 grams of lime tree blossom for one cup of tea, pour boiling water over the blossoms and leave for about 7 – 10 minutes. For a stronger tasting tea, put 5 grams of dried lime tree blossom into cold water, bring to the boil and leave for 10 – 15 minutes. You can always add a teaspoon of honey, raspberry or black currant syrup or jam to your cup of tea.
9 kg of lime tree blossom tea will be given to Latvia’s NATO Summit guests
To make sure that all the NATO Summit guests will be able take home the traditional Latvian lime blossom tea, approximately 9 kg of lime tree blossom tea will be packed into 4500 individual linen bags.
The lime tree blossoms are collected in two regions of Latvia – Vidzeme and Latgale. Five farmsteads in the Preiļu, Krāslavas, Valmieras and Cēsu regions gathered blossoms for the tea from lime trees growing in unpolluted, ecologically clean areas being riversides, lake islands and remote meadows.
We would like thank SIA "IDEA DECIMA" and Daiga Konošonoka for its co-operation!
