Cota Tea Plant

In northern mexico the plant is found in the states of chihuahua and coahuila.

Cota tea plant. Cota is a perennial plant that is found in various areas of united sates including arizona colorado kansas nebraska new mexico oklahoma texas utah and wyoming. Its main use is as a leisure tea drunk. Will tolerate elevation and alkalinity. Strain sweeten with local honey.

Add 1 5 tsp of tea leaves or a small bundle to an 8oz mug or a french press. Cota is also known as. Cota hopi tea greenthread flowering plant to 16 inches tall native to the american southwest the great plains and the gulf states. Beverley spears cota is an integral part of life in much of new mexico.

Pour boiling water over the tea leaves and let steep 5 7 minutes longer steeping a stronger tea. The tea is also rich in vitamins a c e b2 and b6 and has antioxidant properties. There are some ceremonial uses for this herb as well. When dried in doors as is done during the monsoon season cota appears dark as though it was roasted.

Indian tea hopi tea navajo tea zuni tea colorado greenthread. Coca tea mate de coca has been used by the indigenous people of south america for centuries. Cota is an important plant woven into the cultural activities of both indigenous and spanish settlers of southwest north america. A pelethra of the wild growing plant can be found in northern new mexico along roadsides and in mountain areas.

Cota is first and foremost a delightful herb tea producing a red colored tart beverage that is refreshing served cold with a bit of fresh wild mint or served hot just by itself or with lemon and honey. As its many common names indicate it is widely used throughout the state. Thin almost grasslike leaves typify this wayside weed that grows in full sun in dry sandy clay and rocky soils. Before coffee was imported the tea was the beverage of choice.

By native indians in the nm area. Brewing instructions bring filtered or spring water to boiling. When dried in the sun cota appears bright green. The tea is said to possess compounds such as inulin phytonutrients and alkaloids that offer several health benefits.

Cota indian tea hopi tea navajo tea zuni tea greenthread by susan bruneni photos. In northern mexico the plant is found in the states of chihuahua and coahuila allred 2011.