Herbal tea is one of my favorite types of tea because there are so many flavors to try. Some are floral, some fruity, some minty, and others warm and spicy.
If you’re just getting started with herbal tea, don’t make it complicated. I’ll share a few of the most popular varieties, how I like to brew them, and some simple tips to help you find one you love.
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What is Herbal Tea
Here’s a little tea trivia for you: herbal tea isn’t technically tea.
Black, green, and white teas all come from the Camellia sinensis plant. Herbal teas are made by steeping things like flowers, herbs, fruits, spices, leaves, and roots in hot water.
You may also hear them called herbal infusions or tisanes, but around here, I’m perfectly happy calling them tea.
One of the things I love most about herbal tea is the variety. You can choose something based on the flavor you’re craving, the time of day, or simply what sounds good at the moment.
Does Herbal Tea Have Caffeine?
Most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free, which is one reason I like having a few varieties in my tea cupboard.
They’re especially nice in the afternoon or evening when you want a cup of tea but don’t necessarily want more caffeine.
Just take a quick look at the ingredients when you buy a blend. Occasionally, an herbal blend will include black or green tea, which does contain caffeine.
Popular Herbal Teas to Try
If you’ve ever stood in front of a big selection of herbal teas and had no idea which one to choose, start with flavors you already know you enjoy.
Chamomile is mild and slightly floral. I think of this as a quiet, end-of-the-day tea.
Peppermint is fresh and minty and makes a great after-dinner tea. It’s also delicious iced.
Ginger is warm and a little spicy. I especially like it paired with lemon and honey.
Hibiscus is tart, fruity, and has the prettiest deep red color. If you like berry flavors, give this one a try. It also makes a wonderful iced tea.
Lavender is floral and fragrant, so a little goes a long way. I especially like it paired with lemon, vanilla, or chamomile.
Rooibos is smooth, slightly sweet, and a little earthy. It has more body than some floral herbal teas and is naturally caffeine-free.
Rosehip is fruity and slightly tart and is often found in berry-flavored herbal blends.
You’ll also see echinacea and elderberry in many herbal tea blends, especially during the fall and winter months.
You definitely don’t need to try all of these at once. Pick one or two that sound good and start there. Part of the fun of tea is figuring out what you actually enjoy.
Why You Might Enjoy Herbal Tea
For me, herbal tea isn’t about looking for a miracle in a teacup.
I drink it because I enjoy the flavor and the ritual of making a cup. Sometimes it’s something warm after dinner, sometimes it’s a cup of tea while I’m reading, and sometimes I just want to sit down for a few minutes and enjoy something besides coffee or water.
Certain herbs have traditionally been enjoyed for different reasons. Chamomile is often associated with relaxation, while peppermint and ginger are popular after meals.
Those things are a nice bonus. Mostly, you want the tea to taste good and be something you look forward to drinking.
How To Brew Herbal Tea
The nice thing about herbal tea is that it’s pretty forgiving.
For one cup, I usually start with 1 tea bag or about 1–2 teaspoons of loose herbal tea for every 8 ounces of water.
Bring fresh water to a boil, pour it over your tea, and let it steep for about 5–7 minutes.
If your tea tastes too weak, try using a little more tea next time. You’ll quickly figure out how strong you like it.
Then remove the tea bag or strain the loose tea and enjoy.
Want to Make a Better Cup of Tea?
If you’re never quite sure about water temperatures, steeping times, or how much tea to use, download my free Tea Brewing Tips Guide. It’s a simple reference you can keep handy whenever you’re making a cup of tea.
Herbal Tea Brewing Tips
Use fresh, filtered water when you can. Since tea is mostly water, it really does make a difference.
I also like to cover my cup while the tea is steeping, especially with fragrant teas like peppermint or lavender.
Before adding sugar or honey, take a sip. Some fruit blends have plenty of flavor and sweetness on their own.
And don’t forget that herbal tea doesn’t have to be hot. Hibiscus, berry, peach, citrus, and mint teas are some of my favorites to pour over ice.
Herbal Tea vs. Black or Green Tea
If you’re wondering how herbal tea compares to the other teas in your cupboard, the biggest difference is what they’re made from.
Black, green, and white tea come from the Camellia sinensis plant and naturally contain caffeine. Herbal teas are made from other plants, flowers, fruits, herbs, spices, and roots, and most are caffeine-free.
But the biggest difference you’ll probably notice is the flavor.
Herbal teas can be floral, fruity, minty, spicy, earthy, or naturally sweet. That variety is exactly why I like keeping several kinds around.
How to Choose an Herbal Tea
I always think the easiest way to choose a tea is to start with flavors you already like.
If you love floral flavors, try chamomile or lavender. For something fresh and minty, start with peppermint. If fruity and tart sounds good, try hibiscus or a berry blend.
Prefer something warm and spicy? Look for ginger or ginger-lemon tea. And if you want something a little smoother and richer, rooibos is a good one to try.
There really isn’t a right or wrong choice. Brew a cup, taste it, and decide if it deserves a permanent spot in your tea cupboard.
Herbal Tea FAQs
Most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free. Just check the ingredient list because some blends contain black or green tea.
I usually start with 5–7 minutes. If you like a stronger cup, you can experiment with a little more tea or a slightly longer steep.
Absolutely! Some of my favorite herbal teas are wonderful over ice, especially hibiscus, berry, citrus, and peppermint.
It depends on the tea. Rooibos and some chai-style herbal blends are delicious with milk. I usually skip milk with fruity or tart teas like hibiscus because the acidity can cause it to curdle.
Definitely. Honey is especially good with chamomile, ginger, lemon, peppermint, and lavender. Start with just a little and taste as you go.
Technically, no. Traditional tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, while herbal tea is an infusion made with other plants. But don’t worry—I’m still going to call it tea.
Explore More Tea
If you enjoyed learning about herbal tea, there’s plenty more to explore.
You can read my Beginner’s Guide to Black Tea, Beginner’s Guide to Green Tea, Beginner’s Guide to Chai Tea, Beginner’s Guide to White Tea, or my Guide to Lavender.
You might also enjoy learning how to grow an herbal tea garden or trying one of my tea and latte recipes.
And if you’re still figuring out which teas you like, that’s part of the fun. Try something new, brew it the way you like it, and enjoy your tea. You don’t have to be a tea expert to appreciate a really good cup.
