This light herbal tea uses just a few fresh-picked dandelion greens and boiling water. The result is earthy, mellow, and easy to customize with a little honey or sugar.

Fresh dandelion green tea is one of those simple, feel-good drinks you can make with what you already have. It’s a good way to use what’s growing in your yard and slow down with a homemade warm-up. It’s also free if you’re picking it yourself.

Dandelion Greens Are Good For You!

I know a lot of people make dandelion flower tea or jelly. I’ve made dandelion jelly before, it’s tasty. And I’ve made dandelion root tea. It’s good for you!

Dandelion greens are also good for you! They’re rich in vitamins A and C and are often used to support digestion. Drinking them as a tea is one of the easiest ways to add them to your day. They’ve got a mild, green flavor that pairs well with lemon or honey. But honestly, they are so mild if picked when they’re young, that they make a very gentle tea to drink.

If you’re harvesting any foraged food from your own lawn, or your woods make sure the area hasn’t been sprayed with chemicals or exposed to pet waste.

Pick young, tender leaves for the best flavor. Older, bigger leaves can be very bitter, not always but sometimes.

You can also buy fresh dandelion greens at farmers markets or in the produce section of some grocery stores.

Proceed With Caution

While dandelion greens are generally considered safe to consume, any new-to-you food, foraged or not, can cause problems. So, try a sip or two first and see how your body reacts. Possible side effects could include upset stomach, allergic reactions, or heartburn.

To Make This Tea

The great thing about this tea is that you don’t really need anything special. If you’re a tea drinker then you probably have everything you need to make tea.

fresh, clean dandelion greens
water
optional sweetener

You’ll also need a kettle or pot for boiling water, a small teapot or heat-safe container for steeping. You also need the handle of a wooden spoon or a muddler to break down the leaves in the teapot before adding hot water.

Got Leftovers?

If you have extra brewed tea it makes an excellent iced tea as well. You can store brewed tea for 1-2 days in the fridge. You can reheat it or add ice and enjoy it iced.