Russian fireweed tea (Koporye tea or Ivan chai) is on the menu today! This tea is quite popular in Russia, but you don't need to make samovar tea or go to Russia to try it! I'll show you everything you need to know to make Ivan tea with this easy fireweed tea recipe! If you're a tea lover like I am, try my lavender tea blend too!
As an Assyrian, I love a good black tea. Step into any Assyrian home, head to the kitchen, and you're likely to find a tea kettle simmering on the stove. So when I discovered you could make firweed tea (Ivan tea) by fermenting and drying fireweed leaves, I had to try it!
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What is Fireweed?
Fireweed is a perennial herb with long, erect stems that have alternating long leaves and beautiful pink flowers. The reason it's called fireweed is that it's one of the first plants that come back after a forest fire.
The species name, "angustifolium", is Latin for "narrow leaves", although there is a wide-leaved variety as well, called "Alpine Fireweed". It has many other nicknames, including "Blooming Sally". Fireweed can grow pretty tall, with an average height of 4-6 feet.
The fireweed plant grows all over North America. You can find it in the mountains of California, Montana, Canada, Alaska, and many other states.
The plant can usually be found growing along streams, in mountainous regions, meadows, or even your garden. Look for it between June and September.
Edibility
Both the flowers and stems are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. The flowers can be added to salads and used to make fireweed syrup, honey, and fireweed jelly.
More commonly, the leaves are fermented and used to make fireweed tea. The tea is rich in vitamins A and C.
Medicinal Value
The entire plant is medicinal. Fireweed has anti-inflammatory properties and is loaded with antioxidants. The plant has been used to treat anything from skin issues to cramps and gut health to hemorrhoids. It is also being studied for its benefits on the prostate.
The roots are used to make a poultice to treat rashes, sores, and burns. Fireweed tea has been used to treat asthma and stomach issues.
Cautions
Although it has many benefits, the tea should be enjoyed in small quantities because it can have laxative effects on some people.
Disclaimer
Foraging wild plants, including fireweed, should always be done responsibly and with proper knowledge. Ensure that you correctly identify fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) before harvesting, as misidentification can lead to health risks. Only forage from clean, pesticide-free areas away from roads, industrial sites, or treated land. Always harvest sustainably—take only what you need and leave enough for local wildlife and regrowth. If you're unsure about identification or local foraging regulations, consult a local expert or foraging guide. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or botanical advice.
What Is Fireweed Tea?
Fireweed tea has a strong, beautiful aroma and an earthy flavor. It's hard to compare to any other tea because it's different than anything I've ever tried. Dried currants, cranberries, and rose hips are sometimes added to enrich the flavor. You can even make syrup with the plant's flowers and use it to sweeten your Ivan tea.
Russians have been drinking Ivan tea since the 13th century. The tea's name is believed to have originated from foreigners referring to Russians as "Ivan" (a popular Russian name). So, instead of Russian tea, it became known as Ivan tea.
I'll show you how to pick, ferment, and dry the leaves to make this fireweed tea recipe at home!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Fireweed: All you need to make fireweed tea is fireweed leaves. However, you can also add fireweed flowers, dried currants, rose hips, etc. If you are not the foraging type, you can purchase some here.
- Sweetener: Sugar, honey, or favorite sweetener.
- Optional: A splash of milk or cream
*See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Fireweed Tea
- Harvest Leaves: Strip the healthy leaves from the plant and pluck flowers (if you'd like to add them to the tea). Give everything a good rinse to remove dust, insects, and debris.
- Crush/Roll Leaves: Roll leaves between your hands to crush and bruise them. This is done to release their flavor. Add leaves to a bowl or a mason jar, then cover with a lid.
Pro Tip: Another common practice is to roll each leaf into a tight roll. Adding them to a mason jar will keep them from unrolling. While fermenting, the leaves' color will go from a beautiful green to a darker shade, then almost black.
- Ferment Leaves: Place in a sunny window for 2 days to ferment. Stir leaves a few times a day to allow for air circulation. If you find any leaves with mold, discard them.
- Steam Leaves/Optional: Steam leaves in a steaming basket for 5 to 10 minutes. Doing so enhances the flavor.
- Dry Leaves: Place leaves on dehydrator trays and select the lowest setting, 95°F (setting for herbs and spices). Dehydrate until the leaves are completely dry and no longer pliable.
- Store Tea: Store tea in a mason jar in a cool, dry location. The longer the tea sits, the more the flavor will develop.
Other Drying Methods
If you don't have a dehydrator, dry the leaves outside in the sun or in the oven for around 20 minutes at 300°F.
If You Don't Like the Flavor
The flavor of Ivan tea deepens and improves as it ages. If you don’t enjoy it at first, give it time to mature, then try it again. Still not a fan, but want to enjoy the health benefits of fireweed tea? Try enhancing the taste with any of the following:
- Lavender
- Dried mint leaves
- Rosehips
- Cardamom pods
- pineapple weed (wild chamomile) or chamomile tea
FAQ
Many describe this tea as having a fruity flavor, but I haven't found that to be true. Although fireweed is considered a black tea, it has more of an earthy flavor, similar to green tea. The flavor can be enhanced by adding other dried berries and herbs (for example, lavender) to make a more flavorful tea blend.
Fireweed leaves are used to make tea. The leaves are fermented and dried to make a lovely scented loose-leaf tea. However, the flowers can also be dried and added to fireweed leaf tea to enhance the flavor.
The good news is that fireweed tea is naturally caffeine-free!
Equipment
All you need to make Ivan tea is a mason jar or bowl to ferment the leaves. If you steam the leaves, you'll need a steam basket. A dehydrator comes in handy to dry the leaves, however, you can also use the oven or dry the leaves outdoors. Finally, you'll need a pretty jar to store it in.
Storage
Store the fireweed tea in a cool, dark location, for example, a pantry. The tea becomes more flavorful over time.
Pro Tips
- Be sure to check the bottom of the leaves for insect eggs. Keep only the healthy leaves and discard the rest.
- To brew a cup of fireweed tea, add a few tablespoons of dried tea to a small teapot and cover with a few cups of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. Strain into a cup and add sweetener and cream, or enjoy as is.
- Fireweed tea gets better as it matures, so if you don't like the flavor at first, give it a few months and try it again.
More Foraging Recipes
If you enjoy this fireweed tea recipe, check out these related posts!
Recipe
Russian Fireweed Tea (Ivan Tea)
Equipment
Ingredients
- fireweed leaves
- firweed flowers
Instructions
- Strip the healthy leaves from the plant and pluck flowers, if you'd like to add them to the tea. Give everything a good rinse to remove dust, insects, and debris.
- Roll leaves between your hands to crush and bruise them. This is done to release their flavor. Add leaves to a bowl or a mason jar, then cover with lid. Place in a sunny window for 2 days to ferment. Stir leaves a few times a day to allow for air circulation. If you find any leaves with mold, discard them.
- Next, steam the leaves in a steaming basket for 5 to 10 minutes. This step is supposed to enhance the flavor, but is not absolutely necessary.
- Place leaves on dehydrator trays and select the lowest setting, 95°F (setting for herbs and spices). Dry the leaves completely then bring to room temperature, before storing in a mason jar. The longer the tea sits the more the flavor will develop.
Notes
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- Be sure to check the bottom of the leaves for insect eggs. Keep only the healthy leaves and discard the rest.
- Another common practice is to roll each leaf into a tight roll. Adding them to a mason jar will keep them from unrolling. While fermenting, the leaves' color will go from a beautiful green to a darker shade, then almost black.
- If you don't have a dehydrator, dry the leaves outside in the sun or in the oven for around 20 minutes at 300°F.
- To brew a cup of fireweed tea, add a few tablespoons of dried tea to a small teapot and cover with a few cups of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. Strain into a cup and add sweetener and cream, or enjoy as is.
- Store fireweed tea in a sealed jar in the pantry.
- Fireweed tea gets better as it matures, so if you don't like the flavor at first, give it a few months and try it again.
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Hilda Sterner says
I hope you try making a batch of fireweed tea and reap its many benefits!