Dandelion tea is one of the simplest spring recipes to make when the yard starts filling with bright yellow flowers. I like this tea because it uses something most people overlook and turns it into a light, earthy, homemade drink. If you are already gathering dandelions, you may also like my Dandelion Honey Recipe made with dandelion flowers.
This dandelion tea recipe can be made with fresh dandelion flowers for a mild floral tea, dandelion leaves for a more bitter green tea, or roasted dandelion root for a deeper, earthy root tea. I like keeping it simple with fresh flowers first, then using the leaves and roots when I want a stronger flavor. For another homemade herbal tea, try my Elderberry Tea.
What Is Dandelion Tea?
Dandelion tea is an herbal tea made by steeping parts of the dandelion plant in hot water. You can make dandelion flower tea from fresh yellow flowers, dandelion leaf tea from young dandelion greens, or dandelion root tea from dried or roasted roots. Flower tea is usually the mildest, leaf tea is more bitter, and roasted dandelion root tea has the deepest, most earthy flavor.
Table of Contents
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Quick Look at This Recipe
Prep time: 10 minutes
Steep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 cups
Texture: Light herbal tea
Best served: Warm with honey, lemon, or a small spoonful of dandelion honey
A Quick Note Before Harvesting Dandelions
Only use dandelions from an area you know has not been sprayed with herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers. I also avoid dandelions growing beside roads, public sidewalks, treated lawns, or areas where pets frequently go. Choose fresh, healthy-looking flowers, rinse them gently, and use your own judgment when gathering anything from the yard.
Why You’ll Love This Dandelion Tea Recipe
This dandelion tea recipe is simple, seasonal, and easy to make with just fresh dandelion flowers and hot water. I like it because it turns a common spring plant into something useful without needing a long list of ingredients.
If you enjoy homemade seasonal recipes, you may also like my Elderberry Syrup Recipe or my Fermented Garlic and Honey Easy Homemade Recipe.
Ingredients
2 cups water
1 cup fresh dandelion flowers or yellow petals, loosely packed
1 to 2 teaspoons honey or dandelion honey, optional
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, optional
Equipment
Small saucepan or kettle
Measuring cup
Fine mesh strainer
Mug or small teapot
Clean bowl
Towel for drying flowers
How to Harvest Dandelions for Tea
Pick dandelions from a clean area that has not been sprayed.
Choose fresh, open yellow flowers. Morning or early afternoon is usually a good time to gather them because the flowers are open.
Avoid flowers that look wilted, dirty, damaged, or past their prime.
Bring the dandelions inside and check them for small insects. Rinse the flowers gently under cool water, then place them on a clean towel to dry.
For the mildest dandelion tea, pull the yellow petals away from the green base. If you do not mind a little bitterness, you can use the whole flower head.
How to Make Dandelion Tea From Fresh Dandelion Flowers
Step 1: Rinse the dandelion flowers gently and let them dry on a clean towel. For a milder flavor, remove the yellow petals from the green base.
Step 2: Add 2 cups of water to a small saucepan or kettle. Bring the water to a boil, then remove it from the heat.
Step 3: Place the dandelion flowers or petals in a mug or small teapot. Pour the hot water over the flowers. Cover and steep for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer into a clean mug. Discard the used dandelion flowers.
Step 5: Taste the tea and add honey, dandelion honey, or fresh lemon juice if desired. Serve warm.
Tips for the Best Dandelion Flower Tea
Use fresh dandelions from a clean, unsprayed area.
Choose bright yellow flowers that are fully open and healthy looking.
Remove the green base of the flower if you want a milder tea.
Do not over-steep the flowers. About 10 minutes is usually enough.
Add lemon juice if the tea tastes too earthy.
Sweeten with honey, dandelion honey, or a little maple syrup if desired.
How to Serve Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea is best served warm with a little honey, dandelion honey, or fresh lemon juice.
You can also serve it with sourdough toast, milled wheat biscuits, chocolate chip banana muffins, or a simple breakfast. If you have homemade dandelion honey on hand, it makes a natural sweetener for this tea.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dandelion Tea
Can you make tea from dandelion flowers?
Yes, you can make tea from fresh dandelion flowers. The yellow petals make a mild, lightly floral herbal tea, especially when steeped in hot water and served with honey or lemon.
Do I use the whole dandelion flower for tea?
You can use the whole dandelion flower, but the green base can add a little bitterness. For the mildest dandelion tea, I like to use mostly the yellow petals.
What does dandelion flower tea taste like?
Dandelion flower tea tastes mild, earthy, and lightly floral. It is not naturally sweet, but honey, dandelion honey, or a little fresh lemon juice can make the flavor softer and brighter.
Can I make dandelion tea with dried flowers?
Yes, dried dandelion flowers can be used for tea. Use about 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried dandelion flowers per cup of hot water and steep for about 10 minutes.
Can you use dandelion leaves or roots for tea?
Yes, dandelion leaves and roots can also be used for tea, but they are different from dandelion flower tea. Dandelion leaves have a more bitter, green flavor, while dandelion root tea is usually made from dried or roasted roots and has a deeper, earthier taste.
Is dandelion root tea the same as dandelion flower tea?
No, dandelion root tea and dandelion flower tea are different. Dandelion flower tea is lighter and milder, while roasted dandelion root tea is darker, stronger, and usually simmered instead of steeped.
Can I make dandelion tea ahead of time?
Yes, you can make dandelion tea ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for about a day. I think it tastes best fresh and warm, but it can also be served chilled if you like a lighter herbal tea.
Tried this recipe?
I would love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @idiesfarm and #idiesfarm so I can share your beautiful creation!
How to Make Dandelion Tea From Fresh Dandelions
Equipment
- Small saucepan or kettle
- Measuring cup
- Fine mesh strainer
- Mug or small teapot
- Clean bowl
- Towel for drying flowers
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup fresh dandelion flowers or yellow petals loosely packed
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey or dandelion honey optional
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice optional
Instructions
- Pick fresh dandelion flowers from a clean, unsprayed area.
- Rinse the flowers gently and let them dry on a clean towel.
- Remove the yellow petals from the green base if you want a milder tea.
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, then remove it from the heat.
- Place the dandelion flowers or petals in a mug or small teapot.
- Pour the hot water over the flowers.
- Cover and steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer.
- Add honey, dandelion honey, or fresh lemon juice if desired.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Tips for the Best Dandelion Flower Tea
Use fresh dandelions from a clean, unsprayed area. Choose bright yellow flowers that are fully open and healthy looking. Remove the green base of the flower if you want a milder tea. Do not over-steep the flowers. About 10 minutes is usually enough. Add lemon juice if the tea tastes too earthy. Sweeten with honey, dandelion honey, or a little maple syrup if desired.
Welcome!
Hi! I’m Stephanie, also known as Idie. Follow me as I tap into the methods of the past and learn how to make my world a little smaller.
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