How to Brew Herbal Tea - Make the Perfect Cup

Drinking a cup of herbal tea has lately become one of my favorite morning & evening rituals. Adjusting the herbal blends based on how I feel in my body helps me stay in balance. But there used to be a time when brewing a cup of loose leaf tea seemed like such a hassle. Back then, I always opted for tea bags instead. Boy was I wrong! Tea brewing can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. But knowing how to brew herbal tea is very simple.

5 reasons to Brew & drink herbal tea

Herbal tea, also known as tisane, has been enjoyed for centuries for its soothing and health-promoting properties. Unlike traditional teas that come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, herbal teas are made from various plant parts. These include flowers, leaves, seeds, and roots. If you’re looking for a delightful and beneficial beverage, here are five reasons to incorporate herbal tea into your daily routine:

Relaxation & Unwinding – this is the first reason why I started opting for herbal infusions years ago. Sitting down with a warm cup of tea at night, and absorbing the calming properties of herbs like chamomile, lavender or lemon balm is the perfect segway to sleep. I have found that I am able to fall asleep faster and sleep deeper after I drink one of my favorite blends, my own Sweet Dreams Tea.
Digestive Aid – Many herbal teas possess digestive properties that can provide relief from various gastrointestinal issues. For example, I love drinking peppermint tea whenever I have an upset stomach, to alleviate indigestion, and reduce bloating. Ginger tea is another excellent choice for promoting digestion, reducing nausea (hello first trimester), and easing motion sickness.
Immune System Support – Herbal teas can also play a role in boosting your immune system. Certain herbs, such as echinacea, elderberry, and ginseng, are rich in antioxidants and other immune-boosting compounds known for their health benefits. Especially when the temperatures start cooling off and during the winter months when our immunity definitely needs a boost, incorporating different teas for medicinal purposes into my wellness routine has been a lifesaver.
Hydration with Flavor: Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining optimal health, and herbal tea offers a flavorful and refreshing way to do just that. If you find plain water boring, herbal teas provide a wide range of tastes to satisfy your palate. I find this especially helpful during the hot summer months. I love to make iced tea to cool off & stay hydrated. From fruity blends like hibiscus and berry-infused teas to earthy options like rooibos and dandelion root tea, there’s a flavor for everyone to enjoy. The hydrating effects of herbal teas are also very beneficial during pregnancy. My two favorite hydrating & antioxidant herbal tisanes are red raspberry leaf tea and nettle.
Antioxidant Powerhouse: Many herbs used in herbal teas are packed with antioxidants, which are essential for combating harmful free radicals in the body. These antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress, promote healthy cell function, provide liver support, and protect against chronic diseases. Some herbal teas with high antioxidant content include green tea, nettle tea, and rosehip tea.

Supplies

Loose-leaf tea is in my experience the best type to opt for. The herbal tea blends are endless. The ingredients tend to be of much higher quality, without any unnecessary additives or fragrances. It also creates less waste than tea bags, and is much more cost effective.

In order to brew a perfect cup of loose leaf tea, you will need some sort of tool to help you strain the leaves out of the hot water. There is a variety of tools you can use, which one you go for comes down to personal preference.

mesh strainer – you might already have this in your kitchen. Any mesh strainer will do. But the finer it is, the more leaves it will strain out of your delicious cup. Stainless steel is preferred to plastic or other materials.
tea strainer – this is essentially a mini version of a traditional mesh strainer. Some tea strainers are shaped like little cups that fit inside your teacup. Others are made into the shape of a tea ball, sometimes also fitted with a clasp, to mimic the function of a tea bag.
french press – another great way to brew any type of tea. Depending on your French press, small leaves can sometimes make it through into your infusion. You can alternatively use your French press for a tea cold brew as well.

You will also need a way to boil water. This can be done in a pot on your stove, a stovetop tea kettle, or an electric tea kettle. Electric kettles often have a setting allowing you to adjust the water temperature, which is nice for making traditional teas.

How to brew the perfect cup of herbal loose-leaf tea

Here is my step-by-step guide to brewing your first cup of herbal loose-leaf tea:

Step 1: Boil Water. Always use filtered water for brewing tea when possible. Fill your kettle and bring the water to a full boil. Unlike traditional teas, herbal teas are a lot more forgiving when it comes to water temperature.

Step 2: Measure out the amount of tea. This will vary depending on the blend you’re using. Usually, the packaging will specify. If in doubt, I go for 1tsp, taste my tea, and adjust next time.

Step 3: Add your loose-leaf tea to the strainer of your choice. Pour hot water over your tea leaves. The amount of water should once again be specified on the packaging of your tea blend. If it’s not and you used about 1 tsp of dried herbs, 6-7 oz of water should work just fine.

Step 4: Allow to steep. Steeping time will also usually be specified on the packaging. If in doubt, I usually let my cup steep for 3-5 minutes. Taste, and allow for a longer steep time as needed to achieve the best flavor.

Step 5: Extract the leaves from your hot tea by removing the tea strainer/tea ball or running it through your mesh strainer. Allow to cool to your desired temperature and enjoy!

How to brew herbal tea FAQ

1. What time of day do you brew herbal tea?

I like to drink a cup of hydrating herbal time first thing in the morning. Lately this has felt even better to my body than starting with a glass of water. Sometimes I will have an infusion left over from last night that has cooled to room temperature, which is perfect.

I also like to drink a cup right before going to bed to help me wind down. If I ever feel dehydrated during the day, and water isn’t cutting it, I will brew an additional cup.

2. What’s the best temperature of the water?

Boiling water (212°F/100°C) is commonly used for herbal teas because it extracts the flavors and beneficial compounds effectively. This temperature range is ideal for extracting the maximum flavor and medicinal properties from the herbs. However, if you prefer a milder flavor or have a more delicate herbal blend, you can use slightly cooler water around 180°F (82°C) to 200°F (93°C).

Some herbs, such as chamomile and peppermint, can be sensitive to high temperatures, which may affect their delicate flavors. In such cases, you can allow the boiling water to cool for a minute or two before pouring it over the herbs.

3. Can you make herbal tea with fresh ingredients?

You sure can! This is one of my favorite things to do in the summer when my garden is brimming with fresh herbs. I love to walk outside (or send Aaron out) for a few leaves of peppermint and lemon balm. The process is the same as with dried herbs, except that you don’t actually need to use a tea strainer. Since the leaves are much larger when they’re fresh, you can leave them to float in your cup and drink around them, or just extract them with a teaspoon. My favorite fresh tea for when we have a sore throat is fresh ginger tea. You will notice that the flavor of herbal teas changes when using fresh or dried herbs.

Find More Herbal Recipes & Tips

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