Why local foods matter - Waikato-Grown Herbal Teas

I am Nina Parker of The Micro Farm, and this blog is from me personally, not us. As a way to share my journey, growing, learning and experiencing the ups and downs of running a small-scale bio-diverse market garden.

Here at The Micro Farm in rural Waikato, I grow our herbal teas in soils I am constantly monitoring, digging holes in (to check how things are going - I am looking for that dark chocolate cake look), adding herbal inputs too and otherwise caring for — and I genuinely know there's something special about locally grown herbs. I am working with herbs every day, from seedlings, mature plants, herbal kindling left over from drying, mixing, checking how the drying is going (I air dry the way it has been done for thousands of years - no dehydrators here) and all other tasks needed. Whether you're reaching for a cup of dandelion, red clover, or lemongrass, each plant brings its own personality and a host of benefits worth knowing about. These are things I get to see every day when walking around the garden. The smells, seasons and changes. I know what they look like thriving, and when they need some love and attention.

Below are some of my favourites you deserve to know more about.

Dandelion Tea: More Than a Weed

The humble dandelion is one of nature's most underrated plants. Dandelion tea has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine, valued for its support of liver and digestive health. It's naturally rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron and potassium.

How to use it: Steep a teaspoon of dried dandelion leaf or root in hot water for 5–10 minutes. It has a pleasantly earthy, slightly bitter flavour — lovely with a touch of honey. Try it in the morning as a gentle digestive wake-up instead of coffee - and to get those liver juices pumping.

Ready to try it? Shop our Waikato-grown Dandelion Tea →

Red Clover Tea: A Gentle Floral Brew

Red clover is well known in natural health circles for its isoflavone content — plant compounds that are particularly popular with women going through menopause, as they may help ease symptoms like hot flushes. It also supports circulation and has a long history of use as a cleansing herb.

How to use it: Brew 1–2 teaspoons of dried red clover blossoms in hot water for 10–15 minutes. The flavour is mild and slightly sweet with a delicate floral note. It pairs beautifully with a slice of lemon.

Give it a try: Shop our Waikato-grown Red Clover Tea →

Lemongrass Tea: Bright, Refreshing & Versatile

Lemongrass is one of the most versatile herbs in the garden. As a tea, it's prized for its fresh citrusy aroma and its ability to support digestion, ease bloating, and calm the nervous system. It's also naturally high in antioxidants.

How to use it: Use 1–2 stalks of fresh lemongrass (or 1 teaspoon dried) per cup. Steep for 5 minutes in just-boiled water. It's wonderful hot or cold — try it iced with a sprig of mint on a warm Waikato afternoon.

Stock your pantry: Shop our Waikato-grown Lemongrass Tea →

Why Locally Grown Matters

When you buy herbal tea grown here in the Waikato, you are getting herbs grown in the same New Zealand environment, who express their medicines and flavours (we are talking epigenetics here) in a way customised to our local environment. Because I handle our plants, and my hands carry disease information specific to the Waikato, the plants adapt their biology to protect themselves (for their own benefit) from diseases in the oils on my hands (they really are clean, the plants are just very clever). This means, when you are enjoying local herbal teas you are receiving relevant medicinal benefits from these plants, who protect themselves from the same challanges and environment.

You also support our small family farm.... you probably are enjoying herbs processed with my three children or a local women's group while we chatted about our days. Community supporting community.  

Our small-scale growing methods mean I can take real care over every plant. You can taste and smell the difference. The soil care and diversity, builds a pharmacy of medicine for the plants to choose from which brings flavour profiles. Air drying out of direct sunlight over days means the medicinal constituants remain in the foods. Better soils - better thriving plants and environments - better medicines - better health.

Brewing Tips for the Best Cup

• Always use freshly boiled water (around 95°C — not a rolling boil for delicate herbs).
• Cover your cup while steeping to keep the volatile oils in the brew rather than escaping as steam.
• Experiment with steeping times — longer brews are stronger but can become bitter.
• Add honey, lemon, or fresh ginger to complement any of these teas.

I would love to hear which one becomes your favourite. Feel free to reach out or leave a comment below. We offer free herbal tea in the shop - go to the Hearthstone Store page to see when we open and where we are — and happy brewing from us here on the farm!

Kia Kaha

Nina 🌿