Sea Buckthorn Tea

Sea buckthorn tea is a fragrant, warming hot drink that feels especially necessary in autumn. Sea buckthorn tea also works well in winter when made from frozen berries, so the recipe is useful beyond one season. Sea buckthorn tea is prepared quickly and served hot, which makes sea buckthorn tea a simple choice when you want a bright, citrusy drink without a long cooking process.

Sea buckthorn gives sea buckthorn tea its tart berry base, and orange, ginger, clove, and honey round out the flavour. Lightly crushing the sea buckthorn berries helps release the juice, which gives the drink more aroma and a fuller taste. Orange adds freshness and a mild sweetness, ginger root adds warmth, cloves add spice, and honey softens the sharpness of the berries. Honey can be replaced with sugar or syrup to taste, exactly as preferred.

The key point while making sea buckthorn tea is to keep as much berry juice as possible and to let the mixture infuse for 5 minutes. The berries should be only lightly crushed, not fully puréed, so the juice is released without making the drink difficult to pour. If the teapot has a wide enough opening, the sea buckthorn berries can be crushed right in the teapot, preferably with a wooden masher, so not a drop of juice is lost. After adding boiling water, the tea needs the full 5 minutes of infusion so the berry, citrus, and spice flavours open up properly.

The main ingredients in sea buckthorn tea can be adapted in a limited and sensible way without changing the nature of the drink. Frozen sea buckthorn can be used instead of fresh sea buckthorn, and the recipe specifically notes that winter versions are made in the same way from frozen berries. Honey can be replaced with sugar or syrup to taste. The drink can also take a little more honey at serving if a sweeter cup is preferred.

Sea buckthorn tea is best served very hot, with extra honey added only if needed. Serving sea buckthorn tea hot keeps the aroma pronounced and emphasises the warming effect of the ginger and cloves. Slices of orange and the whole spices can stay in the teapot while serving, which keeps the infusion going gently in the background. The recipe also notes that the same mixture can be topped up with boiling water 2 to 3 more times, increasing the infusion time with each refill.

Prepared sea buckthorn tea keeps for no more than 1 day in the refrigerator in a closed container. Reheated sea buckthorn tea should not be brought to a boil, so the aroma stays intact. Honey is best added to reheated sea buckthorn tea after warming rather than stored in the drink from the start. Freshly infused sea buckthorn tea remains the most aromatic, but short storage is possible when needed.

Questions about this recipe

How long does sea buckthorn tea take to make?

Sea buckthorn tea takes 10 minutes from start to finish, with 5 minutes of active preparation. Sea buckthorn tea is an easy recipe.

Can I use frozen sea buckthorn for sea buckthorn tea?

Yes, frozen sea buckthorn can be used without changing the recipe or the proportions. The recipe specifically notes that in winter the tea is made in the same way from frozen berries.

Can I replace the honey in sea buckthorn tea?

Yes, honey can be replaced with sugar or syrup to taste. More honey can also be added when serving if sea buckthorn tea needs a sweeter flavour.

How do I store leftover sea buckthorn tea?

Leftover sea buckthorn tea can be kept in the refrigerator for no more than 1 day in a closed container. Reheated sea buckthorn tea should not be brought to a boil, and honey is best added after reheating rather than stored in the tea.

Can I reuse the berries and spices for another pot of sea buckthorn tea?

Yes, the same mixture can be topped up with boiling water 2 to 3 more times. The infusion time should be increased with each refill.