How to Make Artichoke Tea: 6 Benefits of Artichoke Tea

Artichoke tea is a beverage made from the leaves of artichokes. It is considered an herbal tea, as it does not contain caffeine. A member of the thistle family, the artichoke plant (Cynara scolymus) is one of the world’s most ancient foods, with their consumption documented in Greek and Roman legends. Artichoke cultivation was further perfected by North African Moors in Sicily around 800 AD and later popularized as a delicacy by French royalty. French colonists brought artichokes to the Americas in the 1800s, and California has since become one of the world’s leading producers of the crop. Artichoke tea, known as trà atiso in Vietnamese, is used widely in Vietnam as an herbal alternative to green tea. In Vietnam, this caffeine-free tea is often sold as dried artichoke tea bags, but it’s easy enough to make a cup of tea using fresh globe artichokes at home.

Artichokes are high in potassium, vitamin C, folate, vitamin K, copper, and magnesium. Drinking artichoke tea may confer some of the health benefits of artichokes.

• Potassium: Potassium is an important part of many essential functions in the body, including water balance, pH balance, digestive system regulation, and kidney and liver function.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is vital to the process of absorbing and storing Iron.
• Folate: Also known as vitamin B9, folate is an important nutrient that aids in the formation of red blood cells.
• Vitamin K: Vitamin K is essential to the process of binding calcium in bone tissue.
• Copper: Artichokes are especially high in copper, which is a crucial mineral for a variety of bodily functions including the formation of collagen, red blood cells, iron absorption, and immune support.
• Magnesium: Magnesium is among the most abundant nutrients in the body, and plays a role in a wide range of functions and chemical reactions, including brain function, reduction of inflammation, insulin resistance, and muscle contraction.

Here’s how to make fresh artichoke tea at home.

1. 1. Select artichokes. Choose fresh artichokes that feel heavy for their size. The leaves on a fresh artichoke should be tightly closed, not open like a blooming flower. To prepare them for tea, remove the thick stem and wash the artichokes well.
2. 2. Boil water. Put on a large pot of water to boil. Use one gallon of water for every three artichokes.
3. 3. Simmer artichokes. Add artichokes to the pot and bring to a boil, uncovered. Once the water begins to boil, lower heat to a simmer and cover with a lid. Cook for one hour.
4. 4. Remove artichokes. Once cooked, remove the artichokes from the boiling water and set them aside. These are perfectly good to eat, so don’t throw them away. Try these delicious artichoke recipes.
5. 5. Strain. Strain the tea through a mesh strainer to catch any loose leaves or fibers.
6. 6. Sweeten. If desired, artichoke tea can be sweetened to taste with your choice of sweetener. Once strained, artichoke tea can be served chilled or hot.

Functional foods are whole or fortified fare that can potentially provide health benefits when consumed as part of a regular diet. Since these foods have yet to be legally defined, it’s important that consumers research any claims related to nutritional value and consult an accredited nutritionist or dietician before incorporating new foods into their diets. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for nutritional advice from a trained professional.