April 07, 2018 3 min read

Healthy Herbal Teas and Tisane Recipe

What is a Tisane?

Although, you may not be familiar with theword tisane,you haveprobably experienced drinking tisanes at some point in your life.  What is a tisane? A tisane is simply a cup of tea made from something other than a tea leaves. True tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant, and it is sold in stores as white tea, green tea, black tea or oolong tea. Herbal teas, floral teas and fruit teas areactually considered tisanes tea. Tisanes are mostly chosen for flavor variety or to avoid the caffeine in the tea leaf, but some herbs have benefits and medicinal properties that are best absorbed in tea form. So yes, certain herbal teas can be good for you.

How are Tisanes Characterized

Tisanes are usually categorized bythe part of the plant, the major categories of Herbal Tea Types:

Leaf tisanes: lemon balm, mint, lemongrass, and French verbena

Flower tisanes: rose, chamomile, hibiscus and lavender

Bark tisanes: cinnamon, slippery elm, and black cherry bark

Root tisanes: ginger, echinacea, and chicory

Fruit and berry tisanes: raspberry, blueberry, peach, and apple

Seed and spice tisanes: cardamom, caraway, and fennel

Where Do Herbal Tisanes Come From

Sometimes herbal teas or tisanes, are made from a blend of plant types or from multiple parts of the same plant and are combined with either hot water or by pouring boiling water on the leaves. Tisanes are often made from moss, stems or other plant matter.  Herbal teas or tisanes, mayadditionally be classified as medicinal.Sincemany haveahighcontent ofantioxidants and nutrients,whileothers are typically consumed for simple enjoyment. Detox teas have become a verypopular category of medicinal tisanes.

How to Brew Herbal Tisanes

Brewing herbal teas and proportions for tisanes vary widely. They may be as short as two minutes or as long as 15minutes, and may require as little as a pinch of plant material per cup of hot water or as much as several tablespoons combined by pouring boiling water.Packageswillusuallysupply water brewinginstructions for each type.

True tea contains varying amounts of caffeine -- less than a cup of coffee, but still too much for those who are caffeine-sensitive. Herbal teas, or tisanes, are popular alternatives because many are caffeine free, and some varieties of herbal teas are formulated specifically for relaxation.

Some tisanes are imbibed for a specific purpose. Dandelion tea is an effective herbal tea diuretic, and kava tea is used to help relieve stress. Some tisanes can also be cooled and used topically as astringents and disinfectants.

Fruit and Flower Tisanes

Tisanes also offer variety to the casual tea drinker. Herbal tisane flavors can range from light and bitter to deep and earthy, and even medicinal herb teas can be consumed casually in weaker brews. Fruit tisanes are very common, and are frequently made with blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and apples, all of which provide the characteristic flavor of the fruit. Flower tisanes are slightly less common, except for the ever popular chamomile herbal tea, and usually impart a light, delicate flavor. Tisanes of all varieties are also frequently mixed with true tea to create different flavor profiles. Chai tea, for example, is black tea mixed with a tisane made from spices.

Tisane Recipe

Makes about 4 cups; 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 stalks fresh lemongrass (about 12 in.), rinsed
  • 2 lemon thyme or regular thyme sprigs (3 to 4 in.), rinsed
  • 24 spearmint, peppermint, or mint sprigs (6 to 8 in.; use 1 kind or a combination), rinsed
  • 4 slices (size of a quarter) fresh ginger, crushed
  • 5 thin lemon or lime slices
  • 1 bag (about 1 1/2 teaspoons) peppermint tea

How to Make the Tisane

Step 1

In 2- to 3-quart pan over high heat, bring 4 cups water to a boil.

Step 2

Meanwhile, trim off and discard tough ends of lemon grass and pull off coarse outer leaves. Thinly slice stalks.

Step 3

Add lemon grass, thyme, mint, ginger, lemon slices, and tea to boiling water. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand (steep) 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 4

Pour tisane liquid through a fine strainer into a teapot or pitcher. Serve hot, or cool with ice.

By ROFINA WILENCHIK, SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA