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greenfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I keep bumping into the Fig Leaf Tea articles from time to time. 
I tried to search for the recipes over here but the "tea" word is too short and "tea AND fig" produces everything with "tea" and "fig" which is about 99% of everything.

How do you make one? How do you dry the leaves?
Any varieties are better tasting for the tea than the others?

I guess, soon I will be consuming everything but the wood and roots :)
Unfortunately, gnats got there first :(
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javajunkie

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
OMG Using Kadota leaves you would have a piping hot cup of tom cat urine. The Berbera I got from Portugal smell like coconut so that's a possibility.
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greenfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
:)
Ok, not the Kadota (Excel) leaves for sure than!
I googled those pages out:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fig/msg0215384820177.html

http://kimberlyshaw.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/08/fig-.html
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DallasFigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Cool. I might have to try it (ie.
get my wife to try it first).

Wonder how it would be with Peters honey leaf.
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DallasFigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Well.. I couldn't resist (sipping it right now), since it seems I'm not going to have any actual figs anytime soon, I'm determined to enjoy SOMETHING from these trees.

I couldn't bear to break off a leaf from any of my little Peter's Honey babies.  So I took a leaf from a 4 foot Celeste that is growing well.  I don't know if it's best green or dried, but I did it green.

Took 1 leaf and cut it up into tiny peices (w/o stem).  Put it in one of those clamp type tea strainers that you use with loose tea leaves.  Boiled some water, poured it in a 12 oz cup and inserted the tea/strainer.  Let it steep for about 10 minutes, while occasionally swooshing it around.

You'll be glad to know it does NOT smell like cat pee.  In fact, I can't really tell what it smells like. Only "Green" comes to mind.  Probably biased from knowing the leaf was green.

The taste is, almost, but not quite, exactly unlike tea.  (Couldn't resist).

The taste is just as difficult to describe as the smell.  I think it taste a little like what I would expect grass to taste like.  Not completely unpleasant, though.  I'm only half through the cup, so my opinion may change... one way or the other..

Actually, I think it's starting to grow on my (or at least out of me).  My tongue feels a little strange... tingly..

oh well.. as long as i don't start msipeling wrods, i thnik i'll be allllright..............
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greenfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Wow!  Don't get high on it :) You can add a fig to it later, so you will have 100% figgy meal!
Thanks for trying!!! 
It seems you need to dry it first (at least that's what it says in the links I pasted above).
I'll try the Mission leaves just for kicks !
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swizzle

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
You do not have to dry it first. We take one large leaf and chop into very fine pieces. Place it in a tea strainer and boil for twenty minutes. We will use it couple of times. It has a nutty flavor to it. I would suggest a type of fig but I do not know what type of fig I have. It is very delicious and very good for you. My wife and I rather enjoy it and it is a lot cheaper than some of the fig leaf teas you can buy on line. I have seen one variety for $32 for an eight ounce can of tea leaves. I'm thinking I need to sell fig leaf tea.
genecolin

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
I've had it several times using green leaves. I chop, steep and enjoy. The taste is reminiscent of coconut, actually it was very good and refreshing. Thanks for reminding me about it. I have some beautiful leaves on my LSU Tiger, I'll have to give it a try. The one I drank before was made from leaves of my Cajun Gold.
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greenfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Thank you all for sharing!
Do I have to worry about the FMV if it is visibly present on the leaves?

I am curious if the tastiest figs and tastiest leaves go hand in hand ... Imagine having a miracle can-do-all plant!
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DallasFigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
I'll try LSU Purple next.  For the rest, i'll have to wait until my figlets get a little bigger.  Whoever tries different varieties, let us know how it is.

I will say, the Celeste one leaves (no pun intended) a slight dryness feeling in your mouth afterwards.  I feel like I need to drink water now, though not due to any unpleasantness of taste.
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Figs4Life

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
what's next ,smoke it? :)
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Grasa

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
I grew up drinking fresh fig leaf tea. Far from cat pee smell. It is actually pretty good with honey and lemon juice. Helps the kidneys be working properly people with diabetes drink that tea, not sure what it does for them... but I remember a cup of that and a slice of bread and off to school in the morning.  All you do is wash the leaf, and pour hot water, let it simmer while it cools.
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