Liberty Tea for July 4

What does a tea lover drink on the Fourth of July? Why, Liberty Tea, of course!

This tea was purchased for me at the White House gift shop by a friend, and here's the blurb from the back of the bag: "Our forebears, in forsaking the pleasures of China tea for the principles of liberty, needed a 'tea substitute.' New Jersey red rooted, sage and raspberry leaves were among the plants touted as 'equal to or better than' tea. But none by itself gave the same satisfaction. With a spirit and resolve, the Colonial dame looked to her larder, garden and fields to create an acceptable substitute. And she succeeded, from Maryland to Massachusetts, by using native plants and the herbs at her disposal. In tribute to, we again took up this challenging exercise in American ingenuity. Using five colonial herbs, the result is a complex and exciting herbal blend, with full body. We modestly think of it as a new American classic! No caffeine. Complements: liberate your imagination: a ripe peach slice, a few strawberries or raspberries, a citrus slice, rose petals, mint sprigs, honey." The ingredients in this blend (from the Eastern Shore Tea Co. in Maryland) include Raspberry leaves, Rosehips, Peppermint, Lemon verbena and/or Lemon Balm, Spearmint.

Whatever tea you choose to sip today, I wish everyone a very blessed Fourth of July!