Peppy Peach Tea Recipe

Summer is in full swing when peaches start piling up at roadside stands and farmers markets. This is especially true in the southeastern United States, where peaches (Prunus persica) are a seasonal staple. Turn them into cobbler, make preserves, add them to a pitcher of tea, or eat one right over the sink. And unless you want the sweet juices dripping down your arm, we highly recommend keeping a napkin nearby!

Georgia might be known as the Peach State, but funny enough, South Carolina actually grows more peaches. But peaches were around long before they became a Southern summer favorite.  It’s believed that they were originally cultivated in China. From there, they traveled through Persia and eventually found their way to Europe and North America, where we now enjoy this stone fruit in many forms at picnics, cookouts, and in summer teas (recipe below!). 

If you have some ripe peaches sitting on your counter, you’ll want to save this recipe. Our Peppy Peach Tea recipe combines delicious peaches with green tea (Camellia sinensis) and mint (Mentha spp.) leaf, then lets the summer sun do the steeping.

The Potent Power of Peach

Think about biting into a ripe, juicy peach on a hot day and it’s easy to see why they’re considered cooling and moistening in herbalism. The fruit is also demulcent, used to soothe heat and irritation in the digestive tract, and it’s a good source of fiber.

Herbalists also work with peach leaves, and, for more advanced or clinical herbalists, the peach pit. These parts are traditionally valued for their cooling nervine effects and have been used for patterns of heat, irritation, and congestion (Wood, 2008). 

Peach leaf, in particular, is considered cooling and sedative, but it contains cyanogenic glycosides, so it’s typically used in small amounts to support conditions of heat and excitation, which are common during the hot summer months.

There’s also the kernel inside of the peach pit. This part of the fruit has been used in Chinese medicine to support circulation and the movement of blood. However, it contains even higher amounts of amygdalin, the cyanogenic glycoside studied for anti-inflammatory, circulatory, and nervous system effects. For this reason, peach kernel use should be limited to experienced clinical practitioners since improper use can have serious, or even fatal, consequences. 

Pairing Peach with Green Tea & Mint

In addition to peach, there are two herbs that make this recipe extra “peppy.” Green tea naturally contains caffeine, giving this refreshing summer drink a little pick-me-up. It’s a nice option for those afternoons when the heat has you feeling a little bit sluggish.

Fresh mint (Mentha spp.) has a bright flavor that tastes especially refreshing on a hot day. Many types of mint contain aromatic oils like menthol, giving them that familiar cool feeling we know and love.

A Note about Sun Tea

Part of the fun of this peach tea recipe is that you don’t need to turn on the kettle and steam up your kitchen. Sun tea is made by placing herbs and tea in a jar of water and letting the warmth of the sun slowly draw out their flavors. After a couple of hours, you’ll have a beautiful jar of tea ready to chill and enjoy.

There’s one thing to keep in mind before setting your jar outside, though. Because sun tea is prepared without high heat, there’s a greater chance for bacterial growth than with a traditionally brewed tea. Always start with clean equipment and filtered or previously boiled water. Let your tea steep in the sun for just a couple of hours, then move it to the refrigerator to keep it chilled until you’re ready to pour a glass.

Make More Herbal Summer Teas

If you enjoyed making this herbal peach tea recipe, we have 15 more recipes we think you’ll love. Our free 16 Herbal Teas for Summer Ebook explores both sun teas and iced teas made with herbs to help you stay cool all summer long.

Download your free copy here and start planning what you’ll be steeping next!

And if all this tea making has you ready to start creating blends of your own, come join us in the Herbal Tea Maker’s Studio, starting August 19. In this 4-part live workshop, you’ll get hands-on practice with herbal tea blending while learning alongside Herbal Academy educators and tea experts from Traditional Medicinals.

Join the Herbal Tea Maker’s Studio here.

REFERENCES

Wood, M. (2008). The earthwise herbal. North Atlantic Books.