Aphrodite mix: herbs and flower petals for a fragrant tea
The Aphrodite mix is a loose blend of herbs and flower petals with a pronounced floral scent. Damiana forms the base, joined by mint leaf, orange blossom and jasmine flower. The result is a tea that opens on the herbal side and finishes floral, with a mild bitterness coming from the damiana leaf itself. One bag contains 20 grams, enough for several pots.
Damiana, botanically Turnera diffusa, is a shrub from Mexico and Central America. The Maya and the Aztecs used the leaf as a tonic, and Spanish missionaries recorded early on how people in Mexico drank damiana tea sweetened with sugar. The herb still flavours a traditional Mexican liqueur today. Mint, orange blossom and jasmine are familiar tea herbs that round the blend off and lift its aroma.
Brewing the tea
Add one or two spoonfuls of the mix to a litre of boiling water. Let it simmer gently for about five minutes, then take the pan off the heat and leave it to stand so the flavour can develop. Strain the herbs out and sweeten to taste with sugar or honey, since damiana leaf keeps a light bitterness. A slice of lemon works well too. The blend also makes a good iced tea: chill the strained tea overnight and serve it over ice.
Good to know
Store the herbs dry and dark in a well sealed bag or jar and the aroma will hold up far longer. Keep the mix out of reach of children and do not use it during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. In the same category at Avalon Magic Plants you will also find plain damiana leaf, other herbal blends and tea herbs such as blue lotus and rose petals.
