Pine needle tea, once

15 February 2026 · Kitchen

Someone at work mentioned pine needle tea and said it was full of vitamin C. I tried it. Fresh young needles from a pine I know well (not yew, not anything I'm unsure of), chopped, steeped in hot but not boiling water for ten minutes.

It tastes like a forest smells. Faintly lemony, slightly resinous. Pleasant enough for one cup, maybe not a daily habit.

Note: lots of sources say pregnant women and pets should avoid it, and that some conifers are toxic. Know your tree.