Potentilla or Cinquefoil Plant

Potentilla & Black Spruce Tea

by Harold Ball

Cabin 14 Recipes Monday, 4 August 2014

The Potentilla, or cinquefoil plant are those shrub like plants with the distinctive yellow flowers that are common throughout North America and can, when combined with some sprigs from a Black Spruce tree, produce a very distinctive, and pleasant tasting cup of tea.

4 cups wate
¾ cup Potentilla leaves (green leaves only)
4 – 4” Black Spruce sprigs

Bring water to a boil, then add the Potentilla leaves and Spruce sprigs.

Boil for approximately 5 minutes, or until the water turns a light tinge of green.

Remove from the fire and let steep for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon remove the leaves and Spruce sprigs and serve.

NOTE: This plant, together with Black Spruce trees are common throughout North America, so you don't have to be in the Arctic to enjoy a cup of this delicious tea. If you like you tea on the sweet side, sugar or a few drops of honey would not go amiss with this brew.

Special thanks to professional fishing guide Josh Gelinas, for brewing up a pot of this tea at shore lunch and for sharing the recipe.