What is herbal tea?
Herbal tea, originally called “tisane,” is not technically tea since it doesn’t come from the Camellia sinensis plant. Instead, it’s an infusion made from herbs, flowers, roots, and fruits. The history of herbal tea dates back thousands of years, with ancient cultures like the Egyptians, Chinese, and Greeks using it for medicinal purposes.
In ancient Egypt, herbs like chamomile and mint were brewed, while Traditional Chinese Medicine used ginseng and chrysanthemum. Greek and Roman physicians promoted the health benefits of herbs like sage. In India, Ayurvedic medicine included teas made from tulsi and ashwagandha.
Loose leaf teas can be brewed using a variety of methods, including steeping in a teapot or infusing in a tea infuser. They offer a versatile and customizable tea-drinking experience, as the strength and flavour of the tea can be easily adjusted by controlling the amount of leaves used & the brewing time.
Interesting fact
The word “tisane” comes from the Greek word for a barley drink but later evolved to mean any plant-based infusion.