The leaves of a fig tree, both fresh and dried, have the aroma and flavor of coconut with a hint of vanilla and make for a delicious and nutritious tea.
Fig Leaves Are Not Just An Ancient Story
Surely we’ve all heard of the fig leaf covering for Adam and Eve as one of the first ancient stories about figs.
However, in my home, in our modern quest for healthy plant helpers, I’ve discovered a better use for my fig leaves.
The surprising health benefits, as well as delicious flavor and aroma of these leaves, is something I am excited to share with you.
The Leaves And Fruit Of A Fig Tree
For years I have shared delicious recipes from the fruit of my fig trees each September, ranging from:
- Chili Spiced Fig Jam for a sauce over meats, fish and roasted vegetables.
- Garlic Chive and Fig Pizza with a healthy almond crust.
- Fig Bruschetta over homemade pecan yeast bread
- To a fabulous Almond Oat Fig Tart made from fresh figs.
In recent years I had the opportunity to make my amazing Fish Roasted in Fig Leaves in the finale of The Great American Recipe on PBS. The leaves emit a hint of coconut flavor into the fish while it roasts in a hot oven.
However, this year I finally tried making Fig Leaf Tea fresh from the tree, and oh my, cold or hot is it delicious.
Fig Leaf Tea – Ancient Remedies With Modern Health Benefits
Knowing that many plants have the power to heal or sooth health issues, I probed into the benefits the fig leaves might have and sure enough there were plenty!Â
And to think I’ve grown figs for decades, enjoyed the fruit, used the leaves as wraps in roasting, yet never experienced the fig leaf tea until now.
Key Vitamins and Minerals
- Rich in Vitamin A, which promotes good eyesight especially in low light. B1, one of the B vitamins which helps to turn food into energy and to keep the nervous system healthy. B2, which plays an important role in maintaining the health of your blood cells, brain, skin and digestive tract.
- Contains manganese, which is involved in breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and cholesterol. Iron, a mineral the body needs for growth and development. Calcium, which helps keep bones and teeth healthy.
- Naturally caffeine-free, ideal for evening relaxation
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Fig leaves contain flavonoids and tannins that may help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the body.
Young leaves provide a more concentrated dose of antioxidants, while mature leaves provide more minerals, both advantageous for internal health as well as the health of the skin.
What Does Fig Leaf Tea Taste Like
When I made my first cup of fig leaf tea from freshly picked fig leaves, roughly chopped and steeped in hot water, I found the tea gentle in flavor with undertones of coconut, vanilla and a similar flavor to green tea.
Then I tried drying the leaves, roughly chopped with fresh ginger root and orange peels and oh my did this produce a beautiful aromatic tea!
How To Make Fig Leaf Tea
You can enjoy fig leaf tea fresh from the garden or store-dried leaves for year-round sipping.
Using Fresh Leaves
- Rinse 1–2 fresh fig leaves.
- Tear into smaller pieces.
- Steep in hot water (not boiling) for 5-10 minutes.
- Strain and sip.
Using Dried Leaves
- Wash leaves, then dry in the oven on low heat or use a dehydrator.
- Store in an airtight jar.
- Steep 1 tablespoon dried leaves in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
Optional: Add orange peels and ginger root to the leaves while drying in the oven and add to the fig tea blend.
Fig Leaves And Where To Find Them
- Grow Your Own: Fig trees thrive in warm climates and can be grown in containers in cooler regions.
- Foraging: If you live where figs grow naturally, fig leaves are abundant in late spring through fall.
- Local Farmers Markets: Some farmers sell fig leaves along with fresh figs.
- Online Herbal Shops: Dried fig leaves are becoming more available as interest in natural remedies grows.
How To Serve Fig Leaf Tea
While fig leaf tea has enough flavor of its own, sipping on a warm cup of freshly picked and steeped leaves, a favorite sweetener enhances the flavor; honey, agave, even a splash of maple syrup is delicious.
Fig leaf tea is delicious served both hot with its warming scents of coconut and vanilla, or chilled for a refreshing fragrant tea on a hot day.
Other Healthy Leaves For Tea
You might be surprised at the number of health benefits growing in your yard, or along a walking path, many of which can be made into a tea.
Mint Tea made from store bought, freshly picked mint, or dried mint from a summer’s harvest of mint, makes for a healthful drink cold or hot.
Since there are numerous health benefits from Sage Tea, literally from head to toe, it makes sense to grow a little if only in pots, for year round sage leaves.
When sage is planted in your yard, it comes back every year, sometimes even peaks out from the snow.
I tried growing Hibiscus, which took the summer to grow but the tender leaves made a great tea. My Raspberry canes bring not only fruit but female hormone health from the leaves when made into tea, as does Red Clover leaf and flower tea.
Whichever tea you venture out to try making from harvested leaves, don’t forget to celebrate them with an Afternoon Tea gathering with friends.
Discover Figs And Fig Leaves For Yourself
Discovering fig leaf tea has been a revelation. It’s not only delicious but also carries a legacy of folk medicine and modern science-backed benefits.
From soothing digestion to supporting heart health, fig leaf tea is a natural, caffeine-free herbal tea worth adding to your wellness routine.
If you’re already a fig lover like me, don’t stop at the fruit, embrace the leaf too. Steep, sip, and savor the gentle coconut-vanilla essence of fig leaf tea.
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.