Linden blossom: when to collect and how to dry

Content

1 When is linden blossom harvested for tea?
2 How to properly collect linden
3 How to dry linden flowers correctly
4 What does dried linden look like?
5 Rules for storing linden flowers
6 Conclusion

Linden blossoms can be collected from the beginning of June to the end of July. The flowering period is no more than two weeks, and the specific start time depends not only on the climatic characteristics of the region, but also on the current weather. More details about the timing and rules of collection, as well as the storage of raw materials are described below.

When is linden blossom harvested for tea?

Harvesting of linden flowers occurs in the first half - mid-summer, when almost all the buds open. It is quite difficult to say specifically about the time of harvesting linden blossoms, since a certain period depends on several factors:

Climatic features of the region (first of all in the south, then in the middle zone, then in the Urals and Siberia).
Type of tree (early ones give color two weeks earlier than later ones).
Weather features. If spring and summer are warm, flowering occurs earlier.

To give a general guideline, we can say that the collection of linden blossoms should be planned from mid-June until the end of July. Moreover, you need to take into account that the total period is 10-12 days. This is the optimal time for collection. When flowers actively open, they contain the maximum amount of vitamins, flavonoids and other beneficial substances.In addition, they retain the aroma, making the tea tasty and fragrant.

Attention! It is very important to monitor the weather forecast. If May and the beginning of summer were warm, you can start collecting in the first days of June.

Linden blossom is recommended to be collected in June or July

How to properly collect linden

When collecting linden flowers, you should follow a few simple rules:

The location should be as far as possible from industrial facilities, cities and roads.
It is better to plan the collection for the first half of the day or lunchtime, when the color is most revealed.
You should not harvest in rainy weather or go into the forest after rains, when the flowers have not yet dried.
For the same reason, it is not recommended to take flowers after heavy fogs.
Picking linden flowers for tea is done by hand, tearing off the flowers with a confident movement, or using sharp scissors, the blades of which are pre-treated with an antiseptic. In no case is it necessary to break branches - this causes great harm to the plant and can even lead to its death due to infection.
Take only good, healthy looking inflorescences. They should not have any stains, mucus, or cobwebs. Also, you should not collect linden blossoms from trees that are heavily damaged by insects.

How to dry linden flowers correctly

It is useful to know not only about the collection period, but also about the drying conditions of linden flowers. This can be done both outdoors and using the oven. The ideal option is to place the color in an electric dryer after collecting the color. The device allows you to set the optimal temperature and set the desired time.

On air

One of the easiest ways to dry is outdoors under a canopy. To do this, proceed as follows:

Paper sheets or clean natural fabric, such as cotton, are placed on a table under a canopy.
Lay out the linden color in one layer.
Leave to dry for 2-3 days.
Stir occasionally so that the process proceeds evenly.

In the oven

Drying in the oven is allowed only if it is possible to adjust the temperature in the range of 40-45 degrees. The sequence of actions is as follows:

Place the petals in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Preheat the oven to 45 degrees.
Place a baking tray (one or more).
Open the door slightly, leaving a small gap.
Dry for 7-8 hours, stirring the petals occasionally.

In an electric dryer

You can also process the linden blossom collection in a special electric dryer. There are two options:

Turn on the herb drying mode and follow the instructions.
If there is no such mode, set the temperature from 40 to 45 degrees. Wait 7-8 hours.

After the sixth hour of treatment, it is recommended to look at the petals and evaluate their condition.

The easiest way to prepare raw materials is in a special electric dryer

What does dried linden look like?

After collection, the linden blossom is dried for several days in the open air or several hours in a dryer. The result is approximately the same - the petals should be completely dry. Even with a small impact they should break. After drying, those linden petals that have greatly changed color should be discarded.

The petals have a greenish-yellowish color. They are very thin and give a pleasant aroma. When brewed, the resulting drink is similar in appearance (in color and transparency) to green tea.

It is better to pour dried linden flowers into a cloth or paper bag.

Rules for storing linden flowers

Linden collection must be properly stored in order to preserve all the beneficial properties and aroma. The basic rules are:

Place in paper bags or natural fabrics.
Place in a dark room with low humidity.
Can be placed in a paper box and kept for 2-3 years.

Storage is allowed both at room temperature and in a cool place. But the main condition is that the humidity is moderate, within 60%.

Conclusion

Linden blossoms can be collected in the first half of summer, sometimes in the middle or second ten days of July. It is better to do the harvesting as far as possible from populated areas. As for drying, both the natural method (in the open air) and the use of equipment (oven, dryer) are allowed. It is advisable to use raw materials within a year. The maximum shelf life of lime collection is three years.