Tea the northern way: herbal infusions made from blueberries, lingonberries and northern herbs — how Norway is replacing classic black tea
Instead of camellia, there are blueberry leaves; instead of pu-erh tea, there is fragrant heather and fireweed. The cold climate does not allow traditional tea to be grown, but it does provide a wealth of wild herbs and berry leaves, which Norwegians have used for centuries to brew warming drinks. These infusions are not only delicious, but also full of vitamins to help you survive the long winter.
Which herbs and leaves are most commonly used for northern teas?
| Raw materials | Norwegian name | Taste | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blueberry leaf | Blåbærblad | Mild, slightly sweet | Antioxidants, supports vision |
| Lingonberry leaf | Tyttebærblad | Tart and grassy | Vitamin C, diuretic effect |
| Heather flowers | Lyngblomst | Honey, pine | Light calming |
| Ivan tea (fireweed) | Geitrams | Mild, bready | Rich in minerals |
| Harsh mountain thyme | Fjell-timian | Brightly spicy | Antiseptic, relieves colds |
Tea brands often mix these ingredients with dried cloudberries or apple pieces to create forest-fruit blends.
Where can you buy high-quality herbal blends and how much do they cost?
| Location | Brand/product | Price (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Mathallen Oslo shop Arctic Herbs | "Blue Forest Blend" 50 g | 69 NOK |
| Bondens Marked Bergen | "Lyng & Mult" 60 g | 75 NOK |
| Meny supermarket (Lokalmat shelf) | "North Tea Geitrams" 40 g | 55 NOK |
| Duty-free OSL (export) | Midnight Sun Herbal Tin 100 g | 129 NOK |
How to brew northern herbal tea correctly?
- Water temperature: 95°C (not boiling).
- Proportion: 2 g of mixture (approximately 1 teaspoon) per 200 ml of water.
- Brewing time: 6–8 minutes; berries and flowers open more slowly than camellia tea.
- You can steep it once more, adding another minute for extraction.
Where to go for a tea ceremony in Norway?
- Oslovelo Café (Oslo): "Nordic Tea Flight" shelf (4 mini teapots) — 95 NOK.
- Bergen Tea & Toast: Afternoon Nordic — herbal tea + scones with Lynghonning honey (165 NOK).
- Trondheim Grønn Stue: tea pairs with goat cheese, 45-minute tasting (185 NOK).
Recipe for homemade alcohol-free Arctic Toddy (2 mugs)
- Brew 500 ml of heather + blueberry leaf blend (8 minutes).
- Add 2 teaspoons of Lynghonning honey, 2 orange slices and a pinch of mountain thyme.
- Heat to 70°C, do not boil, serve in thick-walled mugs.
What to take home as a souvenir besides tea?
- A wooden spoon with "Norge" burned into it, 49 NOK; a beautiful way to serve heather honey.
- Handmade ceramic mug "Skål!" from Røros — 179 NOK.
- Honey biscuits with heather (Hardanger Bie) — 69 NOK/150 g.
Norwegian herbal teas are a sip of the northern forest: the aroma of heather, the slight tartness of lingonberries and the soft sweetness of blueberry leaves. Buy a jar of Blue Forest, brew it on a cold January evening, add a teaspoon of Lynghonning and let the drink warm you with the history of the fjords and the polar sun, which even in winter hides only for a while, only to return with renewed strength.
