Since ancient times, herbal infusions have been highly valued and used by ancient healers due to their beneficial effect and calming effect on both the nervous system and the internal organs of a person. However, in many cases, in their pure form, their smell is not always pleasant and does not satisfy our taste.
With the right combination of components in herbal teas, this disadvantage is eliminated. The right balance in the combination of ingredients means that drinks made from herbal mixtures can be consumed for a very long period of time. It should be noted that each plant that is part of herbal mixtures has certain medicinal properties that have a beneficial effect on the human body.
In Western Europe, which takes its own health very seriously, herbal mixtures are very popular and are used not only in their pure form, but also as additives to classic black and green teas.
The most famous herbs that are included in the composition in the West are mint, chamomile, rose petals, lemon balm. In Ukraine, such herbs have always been Ivan-tea, mint, oregano, St. John’s wort, thyme, raspberries (berries and leaves), etc. Many tea companies specialize in the production of herbal mixtures and include them in their assortment. Herbal teas have nothing to do with real tea and its effect on humans.
Appearance of herbal tea
Herbal tea is a real storehouse of useful natural trace elements and nutrients that nature itself gives us. The herbs and inflorescences included in the composition not only enrich the drink with vitamins, but also make it more refined. Herbal teas are widely used for the prevention and treatment of various ailments, they have strengthening and immunostimulating properties, promote weight loss, remove toxins from the body, soothe, invigorate, keep the body in good shape and simply give a good mood.
The appearance is very varied.
In dry form, herbal teas look like mixtures of herbs with various components:
- only pure herbs;
- flower petals, buds, flowers;
- pieces of fruits, berries, vegetables;
- spices;
- citrus peel;
- nuts, etc.
depending on the purpose of the drink.
When brewed, herbal mixtures have a beautiful color, are very fragrant and delight with the beauty of the opened leaves and flowers, which are pleasant to watch through the glass of a teapot.
Properly brewing herbal tea
Herbal tea is best brewed in a container that can keep the temperature of the drink constant for at least the first 15-20 minutes. Glass and metal teapots are not suitable for brewing a herbal mixture, they are not able to maintain the desired temperature at which plant materials are able to give their maximum benefit. What’s more, in a metal teapot, the metal reacts and you get a rust-flavored drink. Therefore, the best solution is to use a porcelain teapot. And it is better if it has a double wall.
Herbal mixtures are brewed like regular tea – about 1.5 teaspoons per cup of water are poured with boiling water and kept for 10-15 minutes. The herbal collection is stored and used as a regular tea brew.
It is not recommended to leave the decoction the next day, because. it loses its healing properties.
Also, you can not store the dry mixture in an open container – it will be saturated with extraneous odors.
It is recommended to drink herbal tea not very hot, if desired, adding honey, milk or a slice of lemon to taste.
Varieties of manufacture
Components for herbal teas are grown exclusively in ecologically clean areas of different countries.
Collection time depends on the type of herbs. The leaves of blackcurrant, fireweed, blackberry, raspberry, cloudberry are harvested only when they are fully unfolded. Jasmine, linden, rosehip flowers are also harvested when they bloom. Fruits and berries are harvested already ripe.
Collection is carried out in dry warm weather, when the plant has just begun to bloom.
Drying is carried out under sheds in well-ventilated areas to prevent caking and rotting of the grass. Herbs containing essential oils (thyme, oregano) are dried slowly at a temperature of 30-35º C. Peppermint, St. FROM.
Main producers of herbal tea
Ukraine is recognized as the main producer of herbal teas.
