Fragrant and invigorating: interesting facts about Ivan-tea

Since the medieval days, willow-herb has been referred to as a brew of the Chamerion angustifolium. This herbal tea, which has a light fruity and honey aroma, is known as a tonic drink. In stores it costs more than any black or green tea, so many people prefer not to buy it, and make their own.

Here are a few interesting facts about the Ivan-tea:

▪︎ In the era of Peter the Great Ivan tea entered the world market and caused such a furor that it even squeezed the main producers of tea - the Indians. In order to oust a competitor, they spread a rumor that the raw material for this drink is processed by Russians with white clay (which is very harmful). After that, the purchase of Ivan-tea abroad was stopped;

▪︎ According to one version, foreign buyers gave the drink its name. They would come to our region and, not knowing the language, would turn to the traders with the request: "Ivan, tea!"

▪︎ Ivan tea has many times more vitamin C and antioxidants than its green counterpart, as well as lemon and black currant;

▪︎ This type of tea, unlike other teas, can be brewed multiple times, up to 5 times. The contents of the cup will lose neither color nor richness of flavor;

▪︎ Another name for it is koporskiy tea. Ivan tea was first cultivated in the village of Koporie in the Leningrad region. During World War II, Hitler ordered the destruction of the village because he knew that Russians drank this tea as the "drink of life" that gave them strength;

▪︎ Peter Alexandrovich Badmaev, a physician and scientist who researched birch bark, lived to be 110 years old. One of his daughters was born 10 years before his death, that is, Badmaev was one hundred years old at that time;

▪︎ The roots of the narrow-leaved willow are edible - they are eaten fresh as a separate dish, and as one of the ingredients in vegetable salads. The roots have a pleasant sweet taste.