How To Make Rosehip Tea: Tips and Recipes For Delicious Flavor

Roses are among the most beloved flowers in the world. They're a symbol of love, enduring beauty, and they smell delightful. Rosehips are the fruit of the rose plant, and while lesser-known, they're no less wonderful. These hardy little fruits produce a fruity and tart herbal tea that complements any season.

Whether it's your first time hearing about rosehips or you're an expert at tea brewing, adding this herbal tea to your collection is a great idea. It's easy to brew, delivers a powerful and layered flavor, and may be beneficial for your health. Discover how to make rosehip tea with these hot and iced recipes that can be modified to suit any flavor preference.

Looking for tasty tea that has hints of tart and sweet notes? Check out our Organic Rosehip Tea right here.

What Is Rosehip Tea?

Rosehip tea is made from the fruit of the rose plant including the popular varieties Rosa rugosa and Rosa canina. These buds are hard, round berry-like fruits, not rose petals, and are known as rosehips. These buds are seed pods that feature vibrant hues like deep red and vivid orange. The rosehips are a rich source of vitamin C, making this a particularly useful tea for fighting a common cold or beating the seasonal flu. 

The benefits of rosehip tea go far beyond just boosting the immune system. This tea contains large amounts of antioxidants that can help support heart health and lower the risk of cellular breakdowns caused by free radicals. The tea also boasts anti-inflammatory properties that help to ease pain and streamline digestion. Since it's naturally calorie-free and packed with sweet and tart flavors this tea is a great substitute for sugary juices and sodas if you're trying to lose weight. 

Rosehip tea can be made using buds from wild rose plants or homegrown rose bushes. The tea is brewed using fresh rosehips, dried rosehips, or tea bags. Read on to find out how to brew your own and discover a few of our favorite recipes using rosehips.

Tips For Using Wild Rose Hips

Many people enjoy brewing tea using organic ingredients from their home gardens or wild plants. Rosehip tea is an excellent tea to brew naturally since the plant is hardy and most varieties are suited for home gardens. You can use domesticated rose plants or opt to harvest rosehips from wild rose bushes. To brew rosehips tea using fresh ingredients at home, keep the following tips in mind:

Harvesting

Rosehips should be harvested in the fall once the rose petals have fallen. The best time for harvest is just after the first frost as this is when the berries are at their sweetest. It's a good idea to wear gloves since rose bushes have thorns that can prick your skin when plucking the rosehips. Only use rose plants that are far from city streets and have not been sprayed with pesticides to avoid altering the health factors and flavor of the tea.

Use A Dehydrator

For quick and easy brewing, you can harvest rosehips in large amounts and dry them for later use. The easiest way to do this is to use a dehydrator. Start by drying the rosehips in direct sunlight for a few hours. Once the rosebuds start to turn an orange or reddish brown, move the fruit to a dehydrator to remove any remaining moisture. 

Alternatively, you can use fresh rosehips for immediate brewing by placing them in a food processor. Grind them to a pulp, then simmer the seed pods in hot water for 10 minutes. Use a strainer to remove the rosehips and enjoy the tasty cup of tea.

Store Properly

To preserve the integrity of your rosehips, always store them in a dry, airtight container. Air, moisture, and sunlight can cause degradation of antioxidants and vitamins in the rosehips, making the tea less healthy. Try to store the rosehips in a wooden box or metal tin lined with parchment paper. Keep the tin or box in a dark, cool cabinet and make sure to secure the lid after each use.

How To Make Rosehip Tea

Simple Rosehip Tea Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon Cup & Leaf Organic Rosehip Tea
• 10 ounces of water
• Sweetener if desired

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a rapid boil in a small saucepan or using a temperature controlled teapot.
2. Add the rosehips to a tea strainer and place in your favorite teacup.
3. Pour in the boiling water and steep the rosehips for 5 to 10 minutes. The longer the steeping time, the stronger the flavors will become.
4. Remove the tea strainer and sweeten with honey, agave, or raw sugar as desired.

Rosehip and Apple Spice Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• 3 teaspoons Cup & Leaf Organic Rosehip Tea
• 3 teaspoons Cup & Leaf Apple Spice Tea
• 6 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a rapid boil in a large saucepan on the stove.
2. Add the rosehip and apple spice teas along with the cinnamon sticks to the hot water. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. 
3. Use a fine mesh strainer to remove the spices and tea and allow the tea concentrate to cool to room temperature.
4. Pour the tea into a large glass pitcher and add in the lemon juice. Serve immediately in glasses filled with ice cubes or store in the refrigerator for later use.

Relax With The Sweet Flavors of Rosehip Tea

Brew rosehip tea with these easy recipes. The tart and sweet flavor of rosehips pairs well with a variety of other tea types including black tea and green tea. Have fun and experiment with different flavors to find your favorite combinations. 

For a refreshing summertime beverage, pair the rosehips with citrus notes such as orange or lemongrass tea. For autumn and winter, spices like apple spice and cinnamon are a great way to add a touch of warmth to the cold winter months. When spring rolls around and you're in the mood for something lighter and airy, try pairing rosehips with floral notes such as those in white tea or hibiscus tea.

Rosehips offer a world of flavor when it comes to herbal tea. Pour yourself a cup of tea with dried or fresh rosehips and sit back to enjoy the exquisite flavor profile. You can pair it with a delicate pastry or some toast and marmalade to play up the sweet notes.