Herbal Teas as a Cash Crop

I've been trying to come up with ways to generate a little farm income and it has evolved into a small herbal tea enterprise at the local organic farmers co-op market.  I started out with using most of these myself and my husband dearly loves Bergamont and spearmint mixed into his green tea.  You have to educate people about them too, and at first, I handed out sample packets to my regular customers who then became more regular. 

These are the ones I grow:
Gynostemma  (Chinese Immortality Herb, boosts immune system, reverses aging according to folklore)
Giant Anise Flavored Hyssop    Peppermint, Chocolate,Pineapple Mint    Catnip    Spearmint
Wild Mt. Strawberry    Blueberry or Bilberry Leaf  Rose Hips
Rosemary    Oregano    Sage    Thyme
Lemon Balm    Passiflora    Bergamont    Echinacea
Raspberry (red and black)    blackberry

I also do a few mixes of herbs.  One is a kidney cleanse which has parsley and carrot tops.
There are unlimited possibilities and every area has things unique to it which grow best.  You could even buy regular black tea and mix in herbs.  The Bergamont flowers, shredded, look great in any black or green tea.  People pay more for mixes, they are "value added" products. 

I'm also growing chicory, which started as a forage plant for my goats in the pasture.  A hillside was covered with it and I went out and dug a few roots, scrubbed, chopped them and roasted at 250 for 2 hours, then ground coarsely in a corn mill grinder and brewed like coffee.  Delicious!
I was pleasantly surprised.  Haven't sold any yet, but I know it would sell well, esp. if I took some hot to the market and sampled it out. 

Hi Red Cloud

Sounds like a nice operation you have going!  Are you mainly selling loose leaf/bulk materials or packets/bags?

Thanks!

On the herbal teas, I just package a small amount in a zip lock bag, slap on a homemade typed label and sell them for a buck apiece.  Not exactly a thriving business yet, but I live in a very small town and people have to be educated about them, oftentimes, before trying them.  Not much income yet, but I can see the potential. 

I also sell dried mullein, think I forgot that from the original list.  Mullein is so good for respiratory problems like asthma or emphysema.