When violets cover my lawn in masses of white and purple in May, I have a traditional celebration where I serve Violet Tea to my young friends who live next door.
It started six years ago in the spring after the three girls moved in, and while the oldest girls have moved on to more ‘mature’ pursuits, my ‘flower buddy’ and I still enjoy this special occasion. (I felt deprived of this somewhat feminine pursuit while raising two boys who were not the least bit interested in sitting down for violet tea with their mother.)
After the first year, I decided we needed a proper tea set and by luck, came across a wicker chest containing a child’s china tea set, complete with cloth napkins and little utensils, which we have used every year since.
This year, there was a bumper crop of violets and one day after school, we had our tea party.
It is a joyful celebration of spring and it was with great gusto that we went out to gather violets and a few sprigs of spearmint to impart a minty flavor to the tea.
Eliza’s Violet Tea:
- Gather enough violets to loosely fill a small tea pot. Add three or four sprigs of mint.
- Bring water to 185F (85C, or the temperature setting for white tea on electric pot), pour over violets and mint and steep for 5 minutes.
- Add honey or maple syrup to taste and serve.
- Drink with pinkie finger up – Delicious!
Violet flowers and leaves are high in Vitamins C and A and can be eaten raw in salads, candied, or dried for winter teas. Anti-inflammatory with many health benefits; good for coughs, sore throats and colds.
Eliza Waters 
I bet that’s a pretty special day!
I love spending time with my flower buddy. Our time together is always special! ❤
What a beautiful little tradition. What care you put into it. Lucky little girl. You are the cool lady next door! 🙂
One would hope! 🙂 I adore her company, she’s humorous, smart and loves flowers. (I might have had something to do with that. 😉 )
Okay, that is just the cutest little girl portrait I have ever seen!!!
😀 Thanks, Micheal. She is definitely a sweetheart!
Love the idea of this!
It’s a lot of fun.
Tea parties are always fun when you get to collect the tea makings yourself. Your tea companion is one cute little girl!
Yes, she is and a great companion in the garden. 🙂
In 1978 I had my first visit to the States (it was early May) and I was enthralled by all the violets dotting the lawns of the houses in the World Fair grounds(?) in St Louis. Your post brought back memories!
Glad to hear it Maureen. Violets are old-fashioned and often bring fond memories. I remember bringing bunches to my mother on May Day. Sweet memories!
It sounds delicious, looks so beautiful and what a wonderful tradition! Especially with such a lovely violet tea girl!
Thank you, Noortje. She is a delight!
I will definitely have to try that next year – I never thought to make tea with them! As a child I used to like the violet sweets we were occasionally given. I am glad you have found a tea-drinking partner Eliza! 🙂
She is a good buddy!
A great tradition, Eliza
It is, thanks, Derrick.
How wonderful!
Thank you, we do have a fun time!
what a delightful idea!
Thank you!
How adorable! A wonderful idea.
Thank you, Joanna!
What magic! How lucky she is to live next to you!!
Aw, thanks so much, Catherine. We do have fun. 🙂
What a good “auntie” you are! These kids are always going to remember you so fondly when they grow up (& hopefully continue the tradition).
I hope so. It brings me such joy. I would love it if they brought their own children when I’m a doughty old lady!
This is so lovely Eliza, what a wonderful tradition and absolutely delightful photos too.
Thank you, Julie!
Oh, delightful! Wish I lived close enough so that I could join you.
I wish you did, too. The more the merrier!
I always put them in salads, husband told everyone we were eating the lawn again 🙂
😀 That’s funny! At least you don’t have a Chem-lawn. I love natural lawns, and it’s true, many lawn ‘weeds’ are edible!
I had them up north, no chemlawn, just dogs, but I knew the good places to find them….dog free of course, down here in Florida, lots of flowers but I don’t know half of them. Someday😊 thanks Eliza😊
Sweet tea, sweet photos, and a very sweet little girl at a violet tea party.
We know how to do it up! 🙂 Thanks, Dor!
What wonderful memories you must create together!
I think I’ll go harvest some of the violets I have growing right now, but I think I’ll press mine onto cookies 🙂
Oh, nice! They are pretty tasty raw – crunchy!
They go well in a shortbread biscuit (cookie)
I think they would – thanks, Maureen!
Sweet idea!
Thank you, Belinda!
How wonderful. Perfect party.
Thank you, Gigi. It was. 🙂
Oh my goodness what a wonderful experience for the young ladies that live by you! I too raised two sons, so no tea parties for me:( However, I now have a granddaughter and I see some tea parties in our future:)
It is great fun having girls to play with! 🙂
Your teatime friend is adorable. LOVE this post– thank you.
Thank you, Julie. She is definitely a best-bud!
I am almost at a loss for words as to how much I love this. Spring violets, a tiny china tea set, and an elfin neighbor for a guest–sublime. I’m envious.
I do feel quite blessed, I must admit!
The best of friendship! May it endure and bring many joyful pursuits.
Thank you, I certainly hope so!
How sweet! Wonders of childhood. And … now I know what to do with all those violets. Just lovely Eliza!
Thank you, Kathy. The magic ingredient really is the mint, it tastes a bit like broccoli otherwise. 😉
I love violets. I had no idea they were edible — how gorgeous. What a lovely ritual 🙂
Thank you, Rebecca. Pansies make quite a splash in a salad. There are a number of other edible flowers. Nasturtium and borage come to mind.
I’ve definitely eaten nasturtium but didn’t know about violets. It’s a gorgeous idea.
They also are lovely as cake decorations. 🙂
If only I had enough violets – enough maybe to sprinkle a few to brighten a salad. The touch of mint sounds like a great idea. Your little tea-party visitor is possibly the best delight!
I have to agree. She is a delight!
Thanks for this!
You’re welcome, Maria!
How perfectly lovely Eliza! What a most beautiful this little flower is too, the violet. It would be something my grandchildren would enjoy very much too, thanks for the idea.
Thank you, Agnes. It is a great spring ritual and what child doesn’t love a romp in the garden? I’m sure your grandchildren will enjoy the tea. Thanks for your visit!
I love this Eliza, how wonderful! ❤
Thank you, Julie. It’s become one of my favorite traditions. 🙂
This is just the sweetest!! I have 2 sons as well, the closest we ever came to “tea” was a sassafras root drink….no pinkies up though! 🙂
Thanks, Jen. We love our violet tea parties!