Orange Vanilla & Apple Tea with Hawthorn Berries

In preparation for my new cookbook, Aroma & Olive Oil I am wondering off the beaten path and posting recipes which do not necessarily contain EVOO. This is the part of my blog we call ...And then some.

This exceptional tea is a Honk Kong Original. It is a very healthy and light fruit tea, (which does not really contain tea at all). Hawthorns are actually know as thorn apples, and contain medicinal properties which help with blood circulation. It is a internally warming tea . And when you drop in the added benefits found in *Wild Orange Essential oil, you have a very healing tea for both mind, body, and soul.

Please keep in mind that Wild Orange Essential Oil has a flash point of about 110 degrees. Therefore if you would like the full therapeutic effect from this delicious tea, serve it baby bottle warm or chilled on ice. Either way, it is refreshing and fantastic

Orange Vanilla & Apple Tea with Hawthorn Berries

A light & fruity medicinal tea with the warming benefits of Hawthorn berries. Wild orange oil brings a tart & uplifting boost to this already delicious drink

Flash Point- 110 degrees F

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons dried Hawthorns 山楂 (shān zhā)

5 medium size apples, peeled and sliced

¼ cup cane, rock sugar, honey, or agave

2 quarts purified water

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1-2 drops Wild Orange essential oil

Preparation:

1. Rinse dried hawthorn berries well and soak in warm water for 10 minutes, rinse again.

2. Add berries, apples, and water into a medium/large size pot, and bring to a boil

3. Drop heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes. Add sweetener, allow to completely dissolve, and add vanilla.

4. Cool to a minimum of 110 degrees and stir in essential oil. Serve warm, or iced.

*This unpretentious essential oil is used in aromatherapy to create the feeling of happiness and warmth, while calming nervous digestive problems. It deals very well with colds and flu, eliminates toxins and stimulates the lymphatic system, while supporting collagen formation in the skin.

Recipe by Micki Sannar 2012