**Will It Brew: Linden (Tilia spp.)**  
Foraged July 19, Northern Ohio, USA

*This is the seventh in my “Will It Brew?” series, exploring wild plants through the lens of tea, broth, and flavor. Thanks for following along!*

**Found:**  
Linden trees are often planted as ornamentals or shade trees in cities and towns. I found this one growing along the bike path in a rural area, though since then I've found several in a nearby town and along a river.

 In the spring you’ll usually smell the flowers before you see them, sweet and heady, a little like honey and crushed green leaves. 

In the wild, Linden trees often grow several trunks from one base. That’s how the tree I gathered from looks. (See photos. The one I gathered from has multiple trunks).

This year, though, I missed gathering the flowers, but the tree is easy to spot in Summer here in Ohio because of the sound it makes on my tires. When the seed pods drop as little gray-green balls in the path or on the street, it sounds like running over bubble wrap under the tires. If you hear that noise, you might be under a linden tree! Look in the tree for the small ‘branch’ of seed pods attached to the lighter green long bracts that are a different shape than the heart shaped leaves. 

Often packaged linden tea uses a blend of flowers, leaves and inner bark. I just used the more tender leaves and seed bracts, but not the seed pods. Be sure to gather the light green bracts as well as the leaves! They add a spiced pear note to the tea that is wonderful. 

**ID Notes:**  
Linden trees have heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges and lopsided bases. In summer, look for the distinctive pale green bracts. They are long narrow “wings” attached to small clusters of yellow-white flowers or the gray-green seed pods. The flowers hang from short stalks beneath the bract. Pick the flower and the bracts. If you miss the flowering, pick when the bracts are still pale and pliable and the seed clusters are green, and the leaves that are the most pliable.

**Preparation:**  
I picked a mix of leaves and seed bracts. For cold brew, I filled a jar with several bracts and leaves (not the seed pods) and steeped it in the fridge for up to 72 hours, the flavor starts at 24 hours, and 72 hours is the height of the flavor. The tea stays clear, but the flavor is wonderful. After 72 hours, take the leaves out and freeze the cold brew if you want to keep it for later. 

 For hot tea, I used a small handful of torn leaves and bracts steeped in just-boiled water for about 10 minutes.

**Taste Test:**  
**Cold Brew (24 hours):**  
Clear, subtly sweet, and surprisingly addictive. It tasted like the very best pear and cucumber water imaginable, with a softness that lingered. Slightly sweet and herbal, but not grassy. Daughter and I drank the whole jar in one sitting. Seriously good. My description is not doing it justice. When I told my daughter it was like, 'the best pear and cucumber water possible', she told me how low a bar that was and laughed. Then she tried it, and immediately helped me gather more leaves for the next batch. It is amazing.  I suggest a squirt of lime and some light sweetening to bring out the pear notes. 

**Hot Tea (10 minutes):**  
Much more complex. Reminded me of a light green tea with a touch of sage, a breath of cucumber, and just maybe a whisper of pear. With a little stevia, it deepened slightly into a pale green and ever-so-slightly fruity tea that was hard to describe but very easy to keep sipping. Not a salad tea. Just lovely. Again, my description is not doing the tea justice.  Trust me, you should try this. 

**Verdict:**  
**Will it brew?** Yes. So much yes. 

**Best as:**  
Either cold or hot, but the cold brew is especially refreshing on a summer's day.

**Would I try again?**  
Absolutely. I have already started another cold jar and may not stop until the leaves fall. 

**Flavor Strength:**  
Light and elegant. Think cucumber, pear, and summer breeze. 

**Notes:**

Linden has lots of names: Basswood, Lime tree (not the citrus one), Bee tree.

Linden is traditionally used to soothe anxiety, ease colds, reduce joint pain, and support sleep. I didn't notice any of these. That said, it comes with a few caveats:

**Caveats:** Some studies suggest a potential link between long-term, heavy use of linden flower tea and heart issues, especially in those with pre-existing heart conditions. Occasional use is considered fine for most people, but it's best to avoid daily or high volume use if you have cardiac concerns.

**Pregnancy and breastfeeding:** There isn’t enough research to confirm safety, so most sources recommend avoiding linden during pregnancy or while nursing.

**Allergies:** If you have a known allergy to linden pollen, skip the tea.

**Interactions:** Linden may have mild blood-pressure-lowering effects, so be cautious if you're on related medications.  Linden may act as a mild diuretic. If that's bad for you, avoid it. For example, if you're taking lithium medication, consult your doctor before drinking linden tea, as diuretics can affect lithium levels in the body.

As always, taste a small amount first and pay attention to how your body reacts. It’s delicious, but like all things foraged, moderation and awareness go a long way.

Always forage away from busy highways and sprayed areas. 

  


Will It Brew: Linden (Tilia spp.) (Click on the title to open the post to retain the formatting for easier reading, several photos included)