Before, many people assumed that the only options they had to enjoy a hot beverage were coffee, hot chocolate, etc. However, in recent times, herbal teas have seen such a surge in popularity that more people are beginning to take herbal tea more frequently.
Tea is one of the most popular flavored beverages in the world. Although herbal teas have become increasingly popular over the past few years, they are thousands of years old. If you want to take herbal tea more frequently and are an absolute beginner, this article will show you all you need to know, so read on!
What is herbal tea?
Herbal tea is an infusion made from any plant that is safe for humans to consume. It comes in countless flavors and forms and can be crafted from various raw materials like tree bark, flowers, leaves, roots, spices, seeds, and fruit. Herbal tea is sometimes criticized for being misnamed because it is not made from the Camellia Sinensis plant, which is used to create authentic “tea.”
People have turned to herbal teas for countless years to cure illnesses and improve their health. Herbalists favor them because of the many ways you can use herbs and their benefits.
Apart from the health benefits of herbal tea, making a cup of tea is a calming and relaxing daily routine.
How to start drinking tea?
If you want to start taking herbal teas, the good news is that herbal teas come in tea bags, too, like black tea. This means you don’t have to have special tools, skills, or ingredients to enjoy herbal tea.
All you have to do to drink herbal tea is to put the tea bag in a mug containing water and then leave it for about 5 minutes to brew. You can enjoy your herbal teas without additives, but if you want a little sweetness, you can add a little honey or a natural sweetener.
If you want to start taking herbal teas for health reasons, it is a good idea for you to see your physician first. You must thoroughly research the different types of herbal teas, their benefits, and how they can help your unique condition.
What is the best temperature for tea?
Although there is a recommended range for water temperature for steeping tea, there is no specific temperature for steeping tea. Most high-quality teas are adaptable, so feel free to experiment with different steeping times and temperatures.
You should note that brewing tea at lower temperatures will produce a more subtle and mild flavor. On the other hand, steeping tea at higher temperatures, typically water around temperatures close to boiling, will create a more robust flavor. Although it’s the norm to brew black tea at higher temperatures, you can also brew herbal tea at this temperature. The ball is in your court!
One important thing you must keep in mind is that the type of water you use to brew your tea will affect the flavor of your tea. For instance, there might be better ways to brew your tea than tap water, so keep this in mind when you want to brew tea.
Can you re-steep tea?
One of the finest ways for a tea connoisseur to get the most out of their tea is by re-steeping, essentially using the same tea leaves for multiple infusions.
If you are wondering if it’s possible for you to re-steep tea, the short answer is yes! When you re-steep tea, you don’t just get more value for your money, but you also get a different tea-drinking experience each time you re-steep your tea because re-steeping slightly changes the flavor of your tea.
While learning to re-steep tea may be exciting, you must remember that you cannot re-steep single-use tea bags. It’s best if you re-steep loose-leaf tea bags.
What is the maximum number of times tea can be re-steeped?
Most black, green, and white teas benefit from being re-steeped a couple of times, about two or three times, after being infused in a mug or tea infuser. On the other hand, herbal and flavored teas lose their flavor and aroma after the initial infusion and are best consumed on the first occasion.
Do you need to let the tea leaves air dry for re-steeping?
Draining the leaves before the next step might improve the flavor. Depending on your preferences, you can dry your tea leaves after re-steeping. It’s unnecessary, but doing it is not a bad idea either.
If you are interested in taking herbal tea but aren’t sure where to start, this article will be a great guide.