Labrador Tea Moon Milk

What is Labrador Tea? Better question…what is moon milk?

Labrador Tea is native to boreal North America. It’s a beautiful Canadian boreal ingredient, and I love incorporating it wherever I can. It boasts several health properties, including vitamin c! The “coureurs du bois” used to use Labrador tea to extend their black tea supply and to add a nice aromatic element to their warm drinks.

Moon milk is a term that is gaining popularity right now to describe a warm, milk based beverage to drink before bed to ease people to sleep. I believe that warm milk normally lulls you to sleep due to a property that is contained in dairy milk, but you can make moon milk with whatever beverage you like (almond, coconut, etc). Between the warmth of this beverage and the health properties of the Labrador tea (which is caffeine free by the way), I think you’ll find that this is a perfect way to cap off a long day.

Now the biggest thing to remember when making this recipe is: DO NOT BOIL THE LABRADOR TEA. Some sources indicate that types of Labrador tea can become toxic when boiled.

Ingredients:

1-2 tsp Labrador tea

1 cup milk of choice (cow, goat, almond, coconut, etc)

1 tsp maple syrup

To make:

Place the Labrador tea in a loose tea bag or strainer and set aside. Heat your milk, either in a steamer or on the stove in a small pan. When it starts to steam, take it off the heat. Ensure that it isn’t boiling. I like to put the teaspoon of maple syrup at the bottom fo my mug, then add the tea strainer with the Labrador tea, and top with the hot milk. That way, while the tea steeps it can also incorporate that delicious maple syrup.

Steep the tea for about 5 minutes in the milk, then remove. Stir it to ensure the maple syrup is incorporated, and enjoy!