My lilacs are in full bloom. I think this year is the best year so far. It’s exciting.
Last year I made lilac tea. This year, with some research I have found you can make lilac wine, syrup, tea, jelly, essential oil, lilac flavored sugar and candied lilac blossoms.
I also found a yummy looking recipe for lilac and lemon shortbread cookies.
I also ran across some other interesting tidbits.
Historically, some herbalists have used lilac blooms on skin ailments, cuts and rashes. They have been used to help eliminate parasitic worms and treat symptoms connected to malaria.
The scent has been used to help ease anxiety and as an air freshener. Additionally, the blooms are said to contain antibacterial properties and have been used as a disinfectant.
I can’t speak to how well these other uses for lilac blooms work. I’ve never tried any of them.
However, I can attest that lilac blooms used as a tea, tastes as good as it smells. Last year I harvested lilac blooms from my yard. I laid down tinfoil and dried the blooms. Once the blooms were dry, I put them in organic tea bags. I used them over autumn and winter for hot lilac tea.
I added just a touch of honey {made from my bees} in the cup and the combination was heavenly. Best tea I ever tasted in my entire life. So much so that I am hard pressed about why I didn’t know about lilac tea. It’s amazing.
It seems to me like the whole world would be better off if it indulged in a good cup of hot lilac tea.
This year, I have already harvested lilac blooms twice. I think I will have a third batch to harvest before the blooms stop. Currently both of my tables are covered in lilac blooms spread out to dry. The whole house smells heavenly.
When I start making my goodie baskets in the fall, I will be adding lilac tea as one of the gifts. I hope others enjoy it as much as I do.