By Barbara F. Smith

Liz Leonard, Herb Associate coordinator for the BBG Herb Display Garden, is delighted to point out the newest bed containing a variety of herbs used to prepare herbal teas. Thanks to the design and planting efforts of Kessa McEwan, BBG Senior Horticulturist, visitors entering the Display Garden from the entrance near the Center House will find the new tea collection on the left-hand side near the dyeing herbs.

Two shrubs are included in large pots – blueberries (Vaccinium sec. cyanococcus) and hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa). Plantings feature Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora), Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), Peppermint (Mentha peperita), Catnip (Nepeta cataria) and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), among others.

Teas of all varieties have a connection with America’s colonial history. 

Many people are familiar with and enjoy black and green tea – both produced from a single plant – Camillia sinensis, grown in China, India and other tropical and subtropical countries. In fact, depending on how the tea leaves are harvested, processed, and oxidized that same plant can yield white, green, black, oolong, dark and pu-erh (fermented) teas. As a general matter, black teas contain caffeine, about half the amount contained in coffee. Tea has antioxidant properties, and some research backs cardiovascular benefits from drinking tea.

In contrast, a drink made from herbs, flowers or spices is more properly called a “tisane” rather than tea, although, it is common parlance to refer to the prepared drink as herbal tea. Herbal teas are caffeine-free, and depending on the variety, may contain antioxidant properties, ease digestion or promote sleep.

Teas from Asia were introduced by Dutch Traders to Europe in the early 1600’s, and tea was a popular import to colonial America as well, along with the utensils used in preparation and service of tea. The practice of tea drinking was established here by the mid-seventeenth century, as shown by the number of tea wares recorded in household inventories. Paul Revere, before his fame from a midnight ride, was a master silversmith in Boston, creating elegant silver tea wares in the colonies.

In the 1760s, the British government began to tax tea through the Stamp Act (1765) and the Townshend Acts (1767). While colonists were supported to buy tea only from Britain, colonists took to smuggling tea from other sources or drinking herbal infusions, perhaps inspired by Native Americans, who often brewed a drink from native plants. By 1775, a boycott of tea imported from Britain was in full swing, with so-called “liberty teas” taking their place. These were made with home-grown herbs, flowers and fruits. Women played an important role in making liberty teas by foraging and growing alternative ingredients and creating the teas. Many women gathered in public and private places for “spinning bees” – to make homespun cloth to boycott British textiles – and they exclusively served and drank liberty teas. 

In December 1773, the most famous of several “tea parties” took place in Boston, the port through which the East India Company delivered tea to the colonies. 342 chests of black tea were dumped into Boston harbor. 

It would be remiss not to note the role of the Shakers in colonial herb history in America, including teas. The arrival in 1774 of Shakers from England to New York City nearly coincided with the turmoil at the start of the Revolutionary War. By 1790 Shaker settlements were found in nearby New Lebanon, N.Y., and Hancock, Mass. (and more, elsewhere). According to Amy Bess Miller in “Shaker Medicinal Herbs” (1998), “the Shakers were no different from their fellow countrymen and neighbors in their dependence on herbal remedies …they drew on plant knowledge of Native Americans for new and unfamiliar herbs.” In a short time, consumer demand increased to purchase the herbs the Shakers grew and harvested, and the products made from those herbs. The Shakers became “professional herbalists – the first in the country to put the growing and marketing of medicinal and drug plants on a profitable basis. Their valuable crops were converted into herbal products, ointments, salves, pills, tonics, elixirs sold throughout the colonies and exported.” (Berthe Reppert, A Heritage of Herbs). These products included herb products grown and processed for teas.

On your next visit to BBG, be sure to visit the Herb Display Garden near the Center House and check out the new Tea Garden that’s growing there. In the meantime, with July 4 just a few weeks away, consider hosting a “Liberty Tea” party to commemorate the spirit of the colonists who resisted the taxes on tea, or just brew yourself a cup of herbal tea and reflect on the historic past of herbs in the colonies.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BBG KITCHENS THIS WEEK?

The cool kitchen crew was busy preparing batches of Tarragon Vinegar and Chive Blossom Vinegar, while the warm kitchen crew was cooking up some Ginger Rhubarb Jam. As ever, the welcoming scent of chopped, fresh herbs filled the kitchen. Still other Herb Associates were busy labeling and tracking the inventory.

Once a month the Herb Associates gather to share information with each other concerning happenings in each arena. One member dropped off 16 new catnip mice, a popular item available in the Gift Shop. Last year the Herb Associates made and sold nearly 200 catnip mice toys! 

A BBG staff member dropped by to ask whether any new Herb Mustard was available! His testimonial was that he “ate a whole jar in 72 hours”! No worries, Herb Mustard will be back on the Gift Shop shelves soon.

Liz Leonard, Display Garden Coordinator, reported on various new plantings this season, including hops, fenugreek and madder. More on them in future columns. Joanne Conroy, Production Garden Coordinator reported on the usual weeding and planting tasks, plus the addition of several Thai Basil plants. Teresa Terry, Kitchen Coordinator, said we should look forward to a new product or two from the kitchens such as a “Bread-Dipping Herb Blend” to be added to oil, with salt if wanted, for a quick and easy appetizer. 

Check out the article in the summer issue of BBG’s “Cuttings” entitled “250 Years Later: The Herbal Roots of American Survival.”

Thank you for your ongoing support of all things herbal. Return next week for the latest news from the BBG Herb Associates and Gardens.