Homemade Fig Leaf Iced Tea : A Taste Of Summer!
This homemade fig leaf iced tea is the drink I make when I want to hold on to summer a little longer. Three ingredients, zero fuss, and a flavor that honestly surprises everyone who tries it.
Maybe you’re on a late holiday. Maybe there’s a fig tree in your garden, at your parents’ place, or on your morning walk. That will be me in ten days, when I fly to France, where the weather for October is still warmer than it was at this time last year. And you know exactly what I’ll be doing first : picking fig leaves.
For me, this is the simplest way to make something grounding. You pick the leaves with your own hands, straight from the tree, and turn them into something that nourishes you. No packaging, no shopping list, just you, a tree, and a pan of water. It’s a small ritual that brings you back to the earth, and I love it for that.
Why you’ll love this fig leaf iced tea
- Only 3 ingredients: fig leaves, water, and maple syrup.
- Naturally caffeine-free, so you can sip it all day, even in the evening.
- Plant-based and refined-sugar-free, sweetened only with maple syrup, which you can skip or replace with any other sweetener.
- Zero waste: fig trees have plenty of leaves, and you use what nature already gives you.
- Make-ahead friendly: brew once, keep a jar in the fridge for the week.
- A real conversation starter: serve it to friends and watch them guess the flavor.
What does fig leaf tea taste like?
This is the part nobody expects. Fig leaves taste nothing like figs. Once steeped, they give a soft, rounded flavor of coconut and vanilla, with a light green, slightly nutty note.
Served ice cold with a touch of maple syrup, it tastes like a holiday afternoon.
Did you know?
Fig leaves are naturally rich in polyphenols, plant compounds with antioxidant properties. The leaves also contain calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron. And while the fruit is sweet and jammy, the leaves bring that surprising coconut-vanilla aroma.
Same tree, two completely different flavors.
Ingredients
Makes about 1 litre (4 servings). Prep 5 minutes, simmer 20 minutes, infuse 20 minutes.
- 3 large fresh fig leaves, well washed
- 4 cups water (about 1 litre)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup, adjust to your taste
Choosing your leaves : pick large, bright green, healthy leaves from a tree that hasn’t been sprayed. Avoid leaves near a busy road.
How to make fig leaf iced tea
- Pick and wash. Collect nice large leaves and wash them under running water. Pat them slightly dry.
- Cut into strips. Remove the central stem and cut the leaves into small strips. This releases more flavor.
- Simmer. Pour 4 cups of water into a pan, add the fig leaf strips and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for a total of 20 minutes, then remove from the heat.
- Infuse. Let it cool down and infuse for another 20 minutes.
- Squeeze. Remove the strips and squeeze them as much as you can over the pan. That’s where all the flavor hides.
- Sweeten. Stir in the maple syrup while the tea is still slightly warm, so it dissolves easily. Taste and adjust.
- Chill. Pour into an airtight container or glass jar and keep in the fridge. Serve very cold, over ice.
Tips, variations and storage
- Stronger flavor: add a 4th leaf, or let it infuse longer before squeezing.
- Sugar-free: skip the maple syrup. The coconut-vanilla notes are naturally soft and sweet.
- Citrus twist: add a slice of lemon or a few strips of orange zest when serving.
- Fresh and minty: add a few fresh mint leaves to the jar.
- Sparkling version: mix half tea, half sparkling water for a summer spritz.
- Storage: keeps up to 4 days in an airtight glass jar in the fridge. Shake before serving.
Fig leaf tea FAQ
Can you drink fig leaf tea?
Yes. Fig leaves have been brewed as a tea around the Mediterranean and the Middle East for generations.
Can I use dried fig leaves?
Yes. Use about 1 tbsp of dried, crumbled leaves per 2 cups of water. Fresh leaves give a brighter, more summery flavor.
Do I need to wear gloves when picking fig leaves?
If your skin is sensitive, yes. The milky sap of the fig tree can irritate skin, especially in the sun. Wash your hands after picking.
Is fig leaf tea safe for everyone?
I share this as a simple, homemade and delicious drink, not a remedy.
Can I drink it hot?
Absolutely. Skip the cooling step and enjoy it warm in winter.
Healthy Fig Leaf Iced Tea,
Flavorful, still subtle, so refreshing !
– Healthy greetings Laetitia –
HOMEMADE FIG LEAF ICED TEA
Ingredients
- 3 large fresh fig leaves, well washed, (freshly harvested)
- 4 cups water
- 1 tbsp maple syrup , to taste
Instructions
- Collect nice large fig leaves and wash them under running water. Pat them slightly dry.
- Remove the central stem and cut the leaves into small strips to release more flavor.
- Pour 4 cups of water into a pan, add the fig leaf strips and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for a total of 20 minutes, then remove from the heat.
- Let it cool down and infuse for another 20 minutes.
- Remove the strips and squeeze them as much as you can over the pan.
- Stir in the maple syrup while the tea is still slightly warm. Taste and adjust.
- Pour into an airtight container or glass jar and keep in the fridge. Serve very cold, over ice.
