Fireweed

Chamerion angustifolium

Fireweed is an indigenous plant that grows abundantly throughout the Pacific Northwest and across North America. This sacred plant has a long history of use among indigenous tribes of North America as it is a hardy perennial that returns every year. 

At Wild Coast Brew, we wild harvest the towering plant stalks when they are just flowering in the hot summer months. We then strip the leaves and leave them to wilt overnight on drying screens. We use the same oxidation method that is used to process and make black tea. Once the leaves are wilted properly, we roll the leaves to release their polyphenols for about an hour and pile the rolled leaves on a bamboo basket. Once the oxidation is complete, the aroma of the fireweed transforms from grassy and vegetal to fruity and sweet, almost like pressed apples. This process is then halted by oxidizing the pressed leaves in the sun to dry. 

What comes of this labor-intensive process is an earthy yet fruity brew that combines the flavors of deep black tea and earthy green tea, minus the caffeine. This tea is nicknamed “Ivan Chai” as oxidized fireweed tea has been a part of long cultural tradition in Siberia and Russia.