How to Make Dandelion Tea: Best Dandelion Root, Leaf, and Flower Tea Recipe

Dandelion tea is still one of those herbal teas that we always go back to, and for good reason. You can brew homemade dandelion tea using all sorts of different parts of the plant, from fresh dandelion roots, dried roots, dandelion flowers, and tender dandelion leaves. And each bit of the plant gives the tea a distinctly different character and taste.

Lots of people really enjoy drinking dandelion tea in the spring when the dandelions are popping up everywhere. And even though dandelions are often considered weeds, the folk name for the plant, Taraxacum officinale, has a long history of use in medicinal herbs and is still much valued by those who want to try out some nicer herbal teas or are after a caffeine free drink.

Dandelion tea is just a herbal infusion made from using bits of the dandelion plant - specifically, the bits which are scientifically known as Taraxacum officinale. And despite its quite strong taste, this type of traditional herbal tea or "dent de lion" has been enjoyed by people for centuries because it tastes so good and is really good for traditional herbal remedies.

You can make it with the roots, leaves, or flowers of the dandelion plant - and each one gives the tea a rather unique flavor. The roots can be roasted to make a pretty strong, coffee-like tea called dandelion coffee or roasted dandelion tea. Typically, dandelion leaves are harvested in the spring, while the roots and flowers used for tea are collected in the fall.

And then there is the fact that you can also make dandelion wine, a rather lovely fermented drink that captures the essence of the plant's flowers.

Dandelion tea does have plenty of good stuff in it too: things like vitamins A, C and K, plus the odd bit of iron and potassium to boot. However, the amount of the good stuff does depend on how the tea is made and the conditions in which the plant was grown. Learning how to make dandelion tea from scratch using fresh roots and bitter leaves lets you get the most out of them.

Dandelion tea's a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to taste - it really does depend on which bit of the plant you're using. Roasted dandelion root tea has a pretty strong and rich taste that is a bit smoky and coffee-like, with a deeper aroma and toasty flavor that makes it a good choice if you're looking for a caffeine free alternative to a cup of joe.

Dandelion leaf tea is a bit milder - it has an earthy, astringent taste with a bit of bitterness (which is more noticeable if you use the older, tougher leaves), but if you can get hold of some young dandelion greens, it is a lot smoother to drink. Generally, dandelion leaves offer a mild flavor, the flowers provide a delicate sweetness, and the roasted roots mimic a coffee-like taste.

Dandelion flower tea is rather a different story - it's got a much more delicate and mildly sweet flavor compared to teas made from the roots or leaves, and it's perfect for a cup of hot or iced tea - you can even add a bit of citrus or a natural sweetener to make it even nicer. All in all dandelion tea is a pretty versatile thing that's got a lot of different tastes to choose from.

• A cup of fresh dandelion root (or a quarter cup of dried roasted root if that's what you've got)
• Three cups of boiling water
• Some honey to taste - or not - up to you
• Optional but nice: milk to give it a creamy texture

• Young tender dandelion leaves - don't use the older ones if you can help it
• A cup of hot water
• Optional but nice: a squeeze of citrus or a spoonful of honey

• A quart of fresh dandelion flowers - bright yellow is best
• A cup of hot water
• The juice of three to four limes
• Optional add-ins for extra sweetness: a stevia leaf or some honey

• A cinnamon stick
• A vanilla bean - for a bit of that exotic flavor
• A bit of fresh ginger - nice for spice
• Coconut oil - or maybe some brown sugar

• A big bowl for rinsing all that fresh dandelion
• Some paper towels - for drying out the roots and leaves
• A sharp knife - for cutting up those roots
• A saucepan for heating up the water
• A fine mesh strainer - to keep the solids out
• A big glass pitcher - for serving and storing

Step 1: Get Your Roots

First off, head out to an area that's been free from pesticides - we want our roots to come in fresh! Cut them into little pieces, that way they'll roast evenly and bring out the best flavor.

Step 2: Roast the Roots

Place the roots in a 200 degree oven for 2 to 3 hours or just get out a pan and cook them over medium high heat. Either way, we're looking for a nice cup of coffee-like tones.

Step 3: Heat Water and Simmer

Bring a saucepan of water to a boil then add the roasted roots - let it simmer for about 20 minutes. That's when all the goodness comes out.

Step 4: Strain and Serve

Pour the tea into a cup through a fine-mesh strainer and serve it up warm - the roasted flavors come through more then. You can always add a bit of milk or honey to smooth it out.

Step 1: Select and Prepare the Leaves

You don't want to be using old dandelion leaves, that's when they produce a stronger bitter tea, grab a young and tender dandelion leaves. Rinse with cool water and pat dry so all that excess moisture doesn't water down your tea.

Step 2: Chop or Crush the Leaves

Cut the leaves into small pieces or gently crush them so all the good stuff inside comes out. It's a lot like breaking down a piece of fruit to get all the juice out.

Step 3: Pour Hot Water and Steep

Bring water to a nice rolling boil and pour over the prepared leaves. Let the dandelion tea steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then taste it to see if it’s how you like it. If it’s a bit too strong, dilute it with a little hot water. If it’s too weak, let it steep a bit longer. For future brews, adjust the steep time to match your preference. Then strain the dandelion tea into a cup.

Step 4: Sweeten or Flavor (Optional)

You can sweeten dandelion tea using honey or other sweeteners to taste. Just so happens it's easier for the honey to dissolve when it's still warm. 

Step 1: Select Fresh Dandelion Flowers

Choose the full yellow flowers here. If they're too old they'll end up tasting all grassy, but when they're fresh, that's when the magic happens.

Step 2: Rinse and Prepare

Place the flowers in a large bowl and rinse with cool water to get all the dirt and tiny critters out of the way - that way we can enjoy a nice clean tea.

Step 3: Add Hot Water and Steep

Pour one cup of hot water over the flowers and steep for 5 to 8 minutes. Taste it to see how you like it - if you want a bit more flavor, just let it steep for a bit longer.

Step 4: Chill and Sweeten

Now transfer the tea to a large glass pitcher and chuck it in the fridge for a few hours so all the flavors can settle out. You can add a bit of stevia or honey to taste when it's still warm - that way the flavor is all nice and even.

• Prep time can really vary depending on what part of the dandelion you're using. Roasting roots takes a fair bit longer than sorting leaves or flowers.
• Harvest your dandelions in the spring, when the leaves are at their tenderest and the flowers are looking their most vibrant. Be sure to pick dandelions only from places free of pesticides, herbicides, and pet waste to keep your tea pure and safe.
• Don't rush it when you're roasting - take your time so you don't end up with a burnt taste.
• Take a sip during the steeping process to make sure you get the bitterness just right.
• Adding milk to your roasted root tea can really help smooth out the flavor.
• Dry out your dandelion bits and you'll be making your own tea all year round.

Roasted dandelion root tea has got a really deep, earthy flavor with a nice roasted taste that's a bit like coffee. It's the perfect thing to curl up with on a slow morning or when you need a bit of calming down.

Dandelion leaf tea on the other hand is super fresh and light - it's got a really subtle taste that feels almost lost. But that's a good thing, really - it's a lovely gentle daily drink or pairs really well with plain food. You can also enhance its flavor by adding citrus fruits or other garden greens for a refreshing twist.

Dandelion flower tea has got a lovely soft floral scent and a smooth sweetness that's really like a breath of fresh air. It's especially nice when it's served chilled on a warm day.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Store your dried dandelion roots, flowers and leaves in an airtight container, somewhere cool and dry where they won't get any direct sunlight. To dry dandelion parts for later use, you can leave them out in the sun or roast them in the oven. The quality stays so much better when they're stored in glass rather than plastic, though. Roasted roots keep their flavor for ages because the roasting process removes all the moisture and really concentrates the natural goodness that gives them that lovely roasted taste.

If you're brewing dandelion flower tea or leaf tea beforehand, chuck it in the fridge in a sealed container. Dandelion iced tea stays fresh for up to three days, but leaf tea might start to lose a bit of its aroma since it's so delicate. If you're making a big batch of roasted dandelion root tea, you can chuck it in the fridge for up to two days - the flavor gets a bit deeper as it chills down, so it's actually really nice when served cold.

Making your own dandelion tea is a pretty cool way to enjoy a natural herbal tea that's free of caffeine and explore a plant that's been part of traditional herbal tea making for ages. Whether you like the rich deep flavor of the root tea, the fresh herbal taste of the leaf tea or the subtle floral sweetness of the flower tea, each one gives you a whole new flavor experience that feels connected to how traditional herbal teas used to be made.

By following a good dandelion tea recipe and making sure you harvest your dandelions from a clean pesticide free area, you can use different parts of the plant to make your own dandelion tea and each one has been valued in traditional herbal practices for its own special qualities.

If you're looking to expand your herbal tea collection or prefer a convenient option, be sure to check out Taste of Tea. We offer a range of premium teas and accessories, including blends that feature dandelion like Daybreak - Sweet Roasted from August Uncommon tea or Sandy Sage from Beach House teas, so you can easily enjoy the benefits of dandelion tea by simply brewing it at home.