How did/do the Russians make carrot tea?

Question

A while ago I read a book about the Russian Civil War (it was Blood on the Snow by Emanuel Litvinoff) in which the characters frequently drank coffee made out of acorns and tea made out of carrots. I tried naively making carrot tea by grating some carrots and pouring hot water on them, like I would make ginger tea. But the resulting brew did not taste strongly of carrots.

How is carrot tea brewed–what part of the carrot is used? I would also be interested to know whether there are any other countries in which this has ever been a popular drink.

carrots infusion russian cuisine

How is carrot tea brewed--what part of the carrot is used? I would also be interested to know whether there are any other countries in which this has ever been a popular drink.

user29585 · Accepted Answer

Wash, dry, shred, cut finely or julienne the carrots. Dry it on a sheet of parchment paper until almost all of the moisture is evaporated. Bake it in an oven on low heat until brown.

Left: result, Right: brewed. Source

Cascabel · Answer

You use the leaves, not the carrot themselves. I don't know for sure this is what your Russian Civil War book was talking about, but I know it works, and besides, if they were desperate enough for acorn coffee and carrot tea, I imagine they were eating the carrots. This site suggests that you might need 1/4 cup of carrot greens per 1 cup of water; you can find plenty more searching for "carrot top tea".

Answered by Cascabel on April 17, 2021

Asta Lab · Answer

I know the carrot tea my grandmother did it* it's super deliceous ande easy to make, everyone must try it. All you have to do is to grate carrots as you would for soup or stew, and dry them in the oven at the 40-100 C.

And when they are dryed out put some in a tea pot pour hot water, sweeten it with honey and milk (or simply drink without any added things). It's awesome.

How did/do the Russians make carrot tea?

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