Chamomile Tea: easy guide, top 10 best teas

Chamomile tea: flavor highlights

Delicate, soothing and natural, chamomile tea makes for the perfect cuppa at the end of a tiring day. This herbal tea is prepared by infusing dried chamomile flowers in hot water. Thanks to the floral, uplifting and mildly sedative properties of chamomile, it has evolved into a popular choice of nightcap around the world. Classic chamomile tea is an all-herbal, caffeine-free drink. Modern chamomile blends also tend to be caffeine-free, pairing chamomile flowers with the likes of rooibos, peppermint, pineapple and lemongrass. However, it isn’t unusual to find an interesting black or green tea on the market today, laced with chamomile flowers for a soothing finish.

A little history

Chamomile flowers have a long history of medicinal use. Ancient Egyptians found them effective in curing fever, besides using them in embalming mixes. Throughout Europe, chamomile flowers have featured in natural shampoos, incense, and even in traditional stress relievers and nerve relaxants.

Tasting notes

Classic chamomile tea makes a light golden infusion, with a floral aroma and mildly sweet taste. Tea drinkers generally describe it as a “perfect nighttime tea”. One can detect “sweet and honeyed” notes in its flavor, and when freshly brewed, it tends to be all the more “fragrant, soft and elegant”. Additives like peppermint and lemongrass give chamomile tea a “nice depth of flavor”. Rooibos adds a “pleasant body” to the mix, turning it into a nice “after dinner tea”. When mixed with a strong black tea base, chamomile develops a “full-bodied” flavor that’s “refreshing and relaxing at once”. Chamomile tea is generally “sweet enough to not have to add anything to it”, and most chamomile herbal teas work well in both hot and iced versions.

Tea tips

To make a hot cup of chamomile tea or tea blend, steep a tea bag or a heaped spoon of loose leaves in hot (not boiling) water for 5-10 minutes, depending on the strength of flavor and earthiness you prefer. Covering the infusion helps extract the flavor better. Additives such as ginger or mint can also be added at this stage. Chamomile tea can easily be consumed unsweetened, though a bit of honey pairs very well with its calming flavor. Rooibos and chamomile blends are generally laced with vanilla, and make for delicious iced teas.

10 best chamomile teas to buy online

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