Alfalfa Leaf
Alfalfa is one of the oldest cultivated plants on earth, and the leaf, dried and crumbled, has been steeped as a mild, grassy tea for centuries.
What It Is
Alfalfa leaf is the dried, cut foliage of a legume grown widely across the American West and Midwest. The flavor is gentle and green, somewhere between hay and fresh grass, without any bitterness to speak of. It has a long history in folk herbalism, traditionally taken as a nourishing daily tea.
Because the taste is so mild, alfalfa leaf blends easily with stronger herbs. It works well as a base for homemade herbal tea mixes, adding body without competing with mint, chamomile, or other flavors you want to stand out.
What To Do
To make tea, use about one teaspoon of dried leaf per cup of hot water. Let it steep for five to ten minutes, then strain. The result is light and grassy. A little honey smooths it out nicely.
Beyond tea, alfalfa leaf can be stirred into smoothies or used as part of a homemade herbal blend. Store it in a sealed container away from light and heat, and it will hold its flavor for about a year.
