From Garden to Belly: Lemongrass Bush Tea

We have a lot of incredibly tasty treats and beverages on the island. Today, I want to teach you how to make a delicious drink we call bush tea.

Bush tea comes in lots of varieties, but a favorite here in St. Croix is lemongrass tea. Recently, the nursery manager at the botanical garden taught my family how to make it fresh and even sent them home with a plethora of lemongrass after one of their volunteering days. Because lemongrass needs to be pruned regularly, it felt like the perfect opportunity to put those clippings to good use.

Lemongrass is naturally caffeine-free and is known to help reduce inflammation and support digestion, so it’s not just tasty, it’s good for you too. Even though cats and dogs aren’t supposed to consume too much lemongrass, we may have sampled things along the way. I must say, it was quite refreshing and delightful.

It was so fun watching my humans make the tea. They worked together to get it just right. Who knew that a day of volunteering would turn into coming home with enough lemongrass for days of tea and a deeper connection to the island we love.

If you want to enjoy some delicious bush tea, here’s your step-by-step guide:

1. Secure some fresh lemongrass clippings.

2. Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the lemongrass (less water = stronger tea).

3. Start boiling the water.

4. Wash the lemongrass thoroughly to remove any dirt or bugs.

5. Break and crush the stalks slightly to release more flavor while the water heats.

6. Immediately retrieve any lemongrass your cats may have stolen and dispose of it (lemongrass can be toxic for cats—and cats can be naughty...you’ve been warned).

7. Once the water is boiling, add the lemongrass to the pot.

8. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes.

9. Turn off the stove and allow it to steep for another 5 minutes.

10. Use tongs to remove the larger pieces of grass.

11. Pour the tea through a mesh strainer into another container to catch any smaller bits. (Pouring it into a Pyrex or item made for hot liquids is best).

12. Dissolve your desired amount of sugar in the tea (we like it sweet, but not too sweet).

Enjoy it hot or pour it over ice for a refreshing treat—your call! Cheers!!!