Fruit & Herbal Teas - All you need to know about Tea Infusions

Herbal and Fruit teas explained…

A delicious hot tea where not-quite boiling water has been infused with other flavours – specifically from fruits or herbs, often dried, but sometimes fresh (like mint).

Because herbal and fruit teas are so delicious and consequently enjoying a huge boost in popularity, the word “tea” has become confused with “infusion”. All teas from traditional black tea to fruity mixes are technically infusions: the hot water is infused with flavours from the steeping leaves, fruits and herbs.

The major difference is that fruit and herbal teas are entirely caffeine free – this is because they are not made from tea leaves at all. All traditional teas are made from the leaves of the tea plant Camellia Sinensis.

“Proper” teas made from the Camellia Sinensis are: Black, Oolong, Green, White, Yellow and Pu-er.

Herbal teas or infusions are made from… well, whatever flavours you see on the box! 

Refreshing and natural tasting, full of flavour and they create wonderful aromas, too. Fruit and herbal teas are totally sugar free, so their sweetness is natural and not so intense as sugary drinks like squash.

They are both relaxing and enlivening, depending on the time of day, your mood and your choice of infusion. 

• Pop a teabag into your favourite mug - a glass one if you have one to see the colour infuse.
   
• Then top up with boiling water.
   
• Then the important bit, wait for 3-4 minutes for the flavours to infuse. They aren’t as strong as every day black tea and really need to the time to infuse with the water!
   
• Infusions are just as tasty left to go cold (handy if you’re on a forgetful day).
   
• Herbal + fruit infusions are happy as they are - no milk or sugar is needed – but for those of you with a sweet tooth a little spoon of honey is always delicious!