Oswego Tea (Monarda Didyma) - The Other "Boston Tea

The aromatic Oswego Tea plant (Monarda didyma) is native to eastern North America and is one of approximately sixteen known varieties of this perennial plant, though it is sometimes grown as an annual. Commonly called the Oswego Tea, there are different names for this plant, by which it is also known such as "bergamot" and "bee balm". In fact, the name bergamot comes from its fragrance, which is considered comparable to that of the bergamot orange grown in southern Italy and which is used to flavor Earl Grey Tea.

The plant belongs to the mint family, has fragrant flowers, and is a favorite with many flower and vegetable gardeners for attracting honeybees, hummingbirds and butterflies. Though often found growing wild along fencerows or along the edges of uncultivated areas and woodlands, Owego Tea can also be planted from seeds. Known as an invasive plant, it does need to be carefully cultivated if planted in a garden.

For vegetable gardens, this commonly called "Bee balm" is considered a good plant to grow with tomatoes, allegedly improving both the health and flavor of the red fruit. It also is a good companion plant in general, attracting a variety of predatory and parasitic insects that hunt and kill other garden insect pests, along with pollinating insects such as the honey or bumblebee.

While the true Oswego Tea has red flowers, other varieties have pink or lilac flowers. Today, different hybrid crosses also produce lavender, white, and purple colors along with the more common ones. The crushed leaves give off a heavy fragrance that may be both citrusy and minty and the fragrant oil derived from that plant is known as oil of thyme. Monarda didyma contains the highest amount of this essential oil.

In place of English Tea, many colonists used the red variety of Monarda didyma after the Boston Tea Party. It became a suitable substitute when the colonists threw the English tea in the harbor in Boston to protest the "Tea Tax" (otherwise known as the Townshend Acts) imposed on it by the British Parliament in 1767. The name Oswego comes from the Oswego Indian tribe who originally taught the colonists how to make tea from the plant

While some varieties are imbued with more of a mint spice taste similar to a mixture of spearmint and peppermint, other plants extrude a lemony taste, along with the bergamot fragrance. All varieties are suitable to make either hot or cold tea. To make Oswego Tea or any of the other varieties, use two teaspoons of flowers and leaves (fresh or dried) to 10 - 12 ounces of water. Steep for 3 - 5 minutes (depending on strength preferred), strain, and add sugar or honey to taste. Add ice if desired.

Oswego Tea does have a more subtle secondary flavor that is reminiscent of oregano to which it is closely related, and has been used as a seasoning for wild game, including venison and fowl. It is also considered a good substitute for sage in pork dishes, especially sausage and the leaves and flowers may be used as a spicy edible garnish in salads. The Monarda didyma fragrant leaves and flowers are used to make not only a flavorful mint tea, but also as an important ingredient for potpourri and sachets.

Sources:
Oswego Tea
Bee Balm
Townshend Acts
Personal Use