Sassafras tea is a traditional, herbal delight that not only warms your body but also offers numerous health benefits. Known for its unique and distinct flavor, this aromatic beverage is made using the roots and bark of the sassafras tree. Follow these ten simple steps to make a delicious cup of sassafras tea.

1. Gather your ingredients: To make sassafras tea, you will need fresh or dried sassafras root and bark, water, and optional sweeteners like honey or sugar.

2. Harvest sassafras: If you’re using fresh sassafras root and bark, harvest them from the tree yourself. Be cautious when selecting your tree as some lookalikes can be toxic. Only gather from trees with the distinct mitten-shaped leaves and an aromatic scent when the bark is broken.

3. Clean the roots and bark: Rinse the freshly harvested roots and bark under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. If you’re using dried materials, lightly brush them off to clean them before use.

4. Chop up the pieces: Using a sharp knife, cut the roots and bark into small chunks or thin strips. Smaller pieces allow for better extraction of flavors and nutrients.

5. Measure ingredients: Depending on how strong you’d like your tea to taste, use about 2 tablespoons of chopped sassafras root and bark per quart of water.

6. Boil water: Bring the measured water to a rolling boil in a large pot or kettle.

7. Add sassafras pieces: Once the water is boiling, add the chopped roots and bark to the pot.

8. Simmer for 20 minutes: Lower the heat slightly, maintaining a gentle simmer, and let the mixture steep for 20 minutes to extract all of its flavors.

9. Strain the tea: Once the tea has steeped, use a fine mesh strainer to separate the liquid from the roots and bark. Pour the strained tea into cups or a teapot for serving.

10. Add sweeteners (if desired): Serve your sassafras tea as-is for a more natural taste, or add honey, sugar, or other preferred sweeteners according to your taste preferences.

Enjoy your freshly brewed sassafras tea and relish its unique flavor profile and remarkable health benefits. Remember to store any leftover dried sassafras root and bark in an airtight container for future brewing sessions.