Herbal tea and herbal infusion - what is the difference?
Making your favorite herbal tea can be confusing. When making tea, do you usually take into account how long the instructions say you should let it steep? Many people don't often think that following the recommended time can significantly improve tea quality and health benefits.
Making herbal tea
Herbal tea can be prepared in several different ways: on the stove in a saucepan, in a special teapot or using a tea strainer.
The water is first heated in the pot, the pot is removed from the heat, and after the water is heated, the herbs are added during the infusion.
However, the teapot is the one into which the water is poured after heating. Often, the teapot has an internal sieve, in which you can easily place tea crumbs so that it does not float around freely in the water and does not fall into your cup when you pour the tea.
The third option is closed tea sieve, into which plant debris is placed and which is then placed directly into a cup of hot water. Although they are usually made of stainless steel, strainers can also be made of other materials such as silicone, plastic, glass or bamboo. Such sieves can be purchased with different hole sizes, which should be chosen considering the size of your own plant debris.
Always make sure that you cover the container with a lid when leaving the tea to infuse, so that the beneficial essential oils do not evaporate with the water vapor.
The ratio of water to herb
A general rule of thumb for making tea is to use one teaspoon of dried tea grounds for every cup you intend to make. If you buy herbal tea from a store, it is always wise to read the recommended amount of water on the package.
It is important to know that the time the tea is steeped can significantly affect its taste. If the tea has not been steeped long enough, it may have a weak flavor or no flavor at all. If the tea is steeped excessively, it can taste very bitter. This bitterness is often related to chemical compounds in tea called tannins. Depending on the plant and the amount of tannins it contains, some teas can be steeped longer and the taste does not become very bitter, on the other hand, with some other plants, you simply don't enjoy the bitterness anymore.
Tannins, or tanning agents, are found naturally in everything from tea, chocolate and wine to spices, berries and tree bark, and are believed to have a range of beneficial properties. They are a type of polyphenols that contain antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory, cholesterol- and blood-pressure-lowering effects, and immune-stimulating abilities, but the tannins lead to a bitter taste and a dark color. When consumed in large quantities, tannic acid can cause side effects such as stomach upset or nausea.
How long can herbal tea stand in a pitcher?
Benefits of herbal tea
Herbal tea has many beneficial properties. Drinking a cup of herbal tea a day has a positive and restorative effect on your body.
Here are some good suggestions:
- Sage: improves memory, brain and skin health.
- Rosemary: improves mood, lowers blood sugar and promotes digestion.
- Mint: Helps relieve stomach aches and headaches and provides energy.
- Horseradish: Helps fight bacteria, has anti-cancer properties and reduces inflammation.
- Thyme: Helps soothe sore throats and support digestion.
You can certainly mix plants together and discover new exciting taste experiences.
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