Lemon- lavender Tea

Against my husbands wishes I went and bought a tiny lavender potted plant and love it to bits. Well I should be spanked for saying that cos most of my love is short lived. We have a total of 6 plants on our balcony of which the basil and parsley are actually struggling to live. The daffodils, blue bells etc etc died after they flowered and id like to think that's how their life cycle works. Our orange plant was such a delight when I picked it up from Borough Market last year. I'd paid quite a bomb for it and promised Ro with all my heart I'd look after it. And now, although its not died on me, I haven't seen an orange grow on it after we plucked the ones that came with it. Ro's constant disturbing question, 'you cant even look after an orange plant, how on earth are you gonna look after a kid.' Grinning from ear to ear wouldn't help, I guess :)

So anyways, purple is my fav colour and I've recently developed this obsession for lavender and have been researching it quite a bit, well more on the level of, where I can go and pick some fresh lavender...lavender farms near London etc. But never on what to do after I did pick some up. So after my lovely lavender baby was perched on the balcony sill, I had to prove to Ro I'd definitely cook with it. I posted a status message on FB asking what to do with lavender..Got a few replies, among which PJ's lavender tea made an impression. Well rather it sounded the easiest:)

Today it was raining cats and dogs and tea was just the thing I wanted. Did some research and figured I could make it without drying the lavender. The tea smelt so darn good and tasted just as I thought it would. Thanks PJ for the suggestion.

Like Joey from F.R.I.E.N.D.S says, 'thats like summer in a bowl,' in my case in a cup..but you get the idea right? 

For one cup tea you would need:

Tea bag- 1 (I used  Whittard traditional English tea bag)

Lavender flowers- 1 tsp (or more if you want a stronger flavour)

Water- 1 large cup

Lemon juice- 1 tsp

Sugar or honey- to taste (optional)

Bring a cup of water to boil and throw in the lavender flowers and the tea bag.

Let it boil for a few seconds and then take it of the flame.

After a minute or so, remove the tea bag, add the lemon juice and sugar/ honey and stir well.

Strain and pour into tea cups.

Another method would be to pour boiling water into a bowl with the lavender and tea bag. Steep for about five minutes.

Add the lemon and sugar and pour into tea cups. 

Serve hot with biscuits.

Notes: I'm definitely gonna try some other variations like basil and lavender, ginger and lavender etc :)