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Herbal tea
Herbal teas are typically made from the infusion of herbs, spices, fruits and other plants in hot water. They usually do not contain caffeine, can be served hot or cold, and are associated with wonderful aromas and infusions that delight the senses.
About Herbal
A guide to herbal tea
What is herbal tea?
Herbal tea — also called a tisane or infusion — is made from flowers, leaves, roots, seeds, spices and fruit rather than the tea plant itself. Chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus, lemongrass, ginger, lavender and rosehip are among the most popular, and many blends combine several of them. Because nothing from Camellia sinensis is involved, most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free.
How it tastes
The range is enormous. Peppermint is cool and bracing; chamomile is soft, apple-like and gently honeyed; hibiscus brews a ruby-red cup that is tart and cranberry-like; ginger and turmeric blends are warm and peppery; lavender and rose are fragrant and floral. Fruit blends with apple, berries and citrus peel can taste naturally sweet without any added sugar. That variety makes herbal tea a good fit for any time of day, from an after-dinner mint to a bedtime chamomile.
How to brew herbal tea
Unlike green or white tea, herbal tea likes it hot. Use freshly boiled water at 100°C to fully release the oils from roots, seeds and dried flowers. Use 2–3 g per 250 ml — because herbs are bulky, that can look like a generous tablespoon for flowery blends and a teaspoon for dense ones — and steep for 5–7 minutes. Cover your cup or pot while it steeps to keep the aromatic oils in the cup rather than in the air.
Herbals are forgiving: steeping longer rarely makes them bitter, it just makes them stronger. Most also make excellent iced tea. Browse our selection above for single-ingredient classics and layered blends.
Caffeine in herbal tea
Most herbal teas contain no caffeine at all. The main exceptions are yerba mate and guayusa, which are naturally caffeinated, and blends that mix herbs with green or black tea. Check the ingredient list on any product page if you are avoiding caffeine.
- Water
- 100°C (full boil)
- Steep
- 5–7 minutes
- Leaf
- 2–3 g per 250 ml
- Caffeine
- None (unless blended with tea or mate)
Frequently asked questions
Is herbal tea technically tea?
Strictly speaking, "tea" means the leaves of Camellia sinensis, so herbal infusions are tisanes. In everyday use, though, herbal tea is the common name and is brewed in exactly the same way.
Can herbal tea be over-steeped?
Rarely. Most herbal blends simply grow more intense with time. A few — such as those with green tea or a lot of liquorice — can become bitter or very sweet, so taste at the 5-minute mark.
Which herbal tea is best before bed?
Chamomile, lavender, lemon balm and rooibos-based blends are popular evening choices because they are caffeine-free and gently aromatic. Many people find a warm, caffeine-free cup a pleasant part of a wind-down routine.
Can I drink herbal tea when pregnant?
Some herbs are not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and herbs can interact with medications. Check with your healthcare provider before adding a new herbal tea to your routine.
How do I make iced herbal tea?
Brew at double strength, about 5 g per 250 ml, for 7 minutes, then pour over ice. Hibiscus, peppermint and fruit blends are especially refreshing served cold.