How To Make Chamomile Tea Taste Better

You're here because, like many of us, you appreciate the health benefits of chamomile tea. It's the perfect sip to wind down a busy day or even to start one, minus the caffeine kick. But we've got to admit, as soothing as it is, chamomile tea isn't exactly bursting with bold flavors.

Here's the exciting part, though - there are lots of ways to jazz up your cup of chamomile, and that's exactly what we're about to explore in this guide.

Understanding Chamomile Tea

What is Chamomile Tea?

Chamomile tea is a popular herbal tea known for its calming effects and delicate, subtly sweet taste. Derived from the daisy-like flowers of the chamomile plant, this tea is cherished by many its health benefits.

There are two main types of chamomile used for tea – German Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita) and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum Nobile). Both types offer a similar flavor profile and comparable health benefits, although German Chamomile is more commonly used for tea preparation due to its stronger flavor and higher concentration of beneficial compounds.

Being an herbal tea, chamomile is typically caffeine free, and is a great choice for any time of the day.

While the flavor of chamomile tea on its own is subtle, with hints of apple and floral notes, it can be easily improved with sweeteners, spices, or fruit infusions.

What Are The Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea?

Drinking chamomile tea isn't just about enjoying a calming drink; it's also about boosting your health in several ways. Here's what this brew can do for you:

1. Encourages Sleep: One of chamomile tea's biggest claims to fame is its ability to promote better sleep. It contains an antioxidant named apigenin, which works in the brain to help you relax and drift off into peaceful slumber.
2. Strengthens the Immune System: Regularly sipping on chamomile tea can strengthens your immune system's ability to ward off infections and illnesses.
3. Improves Digestive Health: If you're dealing with digestive discomforts like indigestion, gas, or nausea, chamomile tea can be a part of the solution. It's been used for ages to help cure upset stomachs and promote healthier digestion.
4. Treats Ailments: Chamomile tea is rich in antioxidants known as flavones. These powerful compounds contribute towards treating hay fever, inflammation, menstrual cramps, and more!
5. Reduces Stress: The calming properties of chamomile tea extend beyond physical health to mental well-being. It can help alleviate stress and anxiety, serving as a natural mood enhancer.
6. Aids in Diabetes Management: Some studies point out that chamomile tea may help keep blood sugar levels in check, which is important for managing diabetes.

Simple Ways to Enhance Chamomile Taste

Increase Steeping Time

Increasing steeping time is one of the simplest ways to bring out more flavor in your chamomile tea.

Generally, chamomile tea is recommended to steep for about 5 to 10 minutes. But what happens if you let it steep for longer or shorter?

1. Shorter Steep Time: If you steep your chamomile tea for a shorter time (around 2-3 minutes), you'll get a milder flavor. This can be nice if you're looking for a more subtle, lightly floral tea.
2. Longer Steep Time: On the other hand, steeping your chamomile tea for a longer time (like 10-15 minutes) will extract more flavor from the chamomile flowers, giving you a stronger, bolder taste. Be careful though! Over-steeping can sometimes make the tea taste bitter.

So, experiment with the steeping time and find what works best for your palate. It's a simple tweak, but you'd be surprised at how much of a difference it can make in your chamomile tea experience!

Experiment with Sweeteners

Sweeteners aren't just for satisfying your sweet tooth - they can also bring out the flavor of chamomile tea, making it more fun to drink. Here are some sweeteners to consider:

1. Honey: Honey and chamomile tea make a classic pair. Honey adds a pleasant sweetness that complements chamomile's gentle floral notes. Plus, it has its own health benefits, like soothing a sore throat.
2. Agave Nectar: For a vegan-friendly option, try agave nectar. Its light, mildly sweet flavor can improve your chamomile tea without overpowering it.
3. Maple Syrup: Maple syrup can add a hint of caramel-like sweetness to your chamomile tea. It's a wonderful option for a cozy, fall-inspired tea.
4. Stevia: If you're watching your calorie intake, stevia is a great choice. It's a natural sweetener without any calories. But remember, it's much sweeter than sugar, so a little goes a long way.
5. Sugar: The old standby, sugar can sweeten your tea according to your taste. White, brown, or even raw sugar can work, each lending a different flavor.

The key to finding your perfect sweetener is to experiment. Try a different one each time you brew a cup of chamomile tea and see which one you prefer!

Add a Dash of Spices

Just like cooking, a bit of spice can take your chamomile tea from good to exceptional. They bring a warmth and complexity that can enhance and complement chamomile's natural flavors. Let's look at some spice options that pair well with chamomile tea:

1. Cinnamon: This aromatic spice is a natural pair with chamomile. A stick of cinnamon or a pinch of ground cinnamon can bring a touch of sweet, warm spiciness to your tea.
2. Ginger: Fresh or powdered ginger can add a nice spicy kick to your chamomile tea. Plus, it's great for digestion!
3. Cardamom: This slightly sweet, intensely aromatic spice can add an exotic touch to your chamomile tea.
4. Cloves: Cloves bring a warm, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor that pairs wonderfully with chamomile.
5. Nutmeg: A pinch of ground nutmeg can give your chamomile tea a warm, nutty flavor.
6. Peppermint: Not exactly a spice, but peppermint leaves can add a refreshing twist to your chamomile tea, especially if you enjoy a minty flavor.

Fruit Infusions for Chamomile Tea

The Art of Fruit Infusions

Fruit infusions are simply the process of adding fresh or dried fruits to your tea, allowing their flavors to mingle with the tea as it steeps. This technique can add a wonderful depth of flavor to your chamomile tea, elevating it from a simple, calming beverage to a delightfully tasty treat.

The Best Fruits for Fruit Infusions

Adding fresh or dried fruit to your chamomile adds new flavors and natural sweetness to create an entirely new drink. Here are a few ideas on what to add to your drink:

1. Citrus Fruits: Lemon, orange, or grapefruit slices can add a refreshing tang to your chamomile tea, balancing out its mild sweetness.
2. Berries: Fresh or frozen, berries can bring a burst of fruity sweetness to your chamomile tea. Think strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or even blackberries. Muddle them a bit before adding to your tea to release their juices and flavor.
3. Apples: Given chamomile's natural apple-like flavor notes, adding fresh or dried apple to your tea is a natural fit. Plus, they make a lovely, visually appealing addition.
4. Pomegranate: Pomegranate seeds or a splash of pomegranate juice can make your chamomile tea subtly sweet and tangy.
5. Cherries: Fresh or dried cherries can add a delightful sweet-tart flavor to your tea. If using fresh cherries, remember to remove the pits before adding them to your brew.

Remember, when using fruit infusions, it's best to add the fruits while your tea is steeping to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. You can also experiment with combining different fruits or pairing them with spices for an even more flavorful chamomile tea experience.

Our own Summer Wine fruit infusion is a chamomile tea that mixes dried cherries, dried apples, and freeze dried strawberries that combine to create a delectable, naturally sweet drink bursting with flavor.

Tips for Storing Chamomile Tea

Proper storage makes a world of difference in preserving the flavor of your chamomile tea. Let's look at how long chamomile tea lasts and how you can keep it fresh for as long as possible.

1. Loose Chamomile Flowers: When stored properly, dried chamomile flowers can last 1 to 2 years. The key to maintaining their quality is to store them in an airtight container, in a cool, dark, and dry place. Exposure to heat, light, or moisture can degrade the quality of the flowers and shorten their shelf life.
2. Chamomile Tea Bags: Sealed and individually packaged chamomile tea bags usually have a shelf life of 1 to 2 years as well. Store the tea bags in a dry, cool place away from strong odors, as the bags can absorb them.
3. Prepared Chamomile Tea: If you've brewed more chamomile tea than you can drink, don't worry: you can store it in the refrigerator and it will keep its flavor for 24-48 hours. However, it's best enjoyed fresh.

Also remember, the "best by" date on chamomile tea packages is not an expiration date. It's an indication of when the product is at its best quality. Tea doesn't spoil like fresh food, but over time it can lose its flavor and potency. If your chamomile tea smells stale or lacks flavor, it's probably past its prime.

Conclusion

And there we have it, tea-lovers! We've ventured on a flavorful journey, and discovered that chamomile tea is more versatile than it gets credit for.

Remember, tea-making isn't just a daily routine; it's an art. It's about exploring and personalizing to find what makes your taste buds dance with joy. Whether you're a sweet tooth who enjoys a honey-drizzled chamomile brew, a spice lover who finds comfort in a cinnamon-infused cup, or a fruit fanatic who loves the tang of citrus in your tea, there's a chamomile tea version for everyone.

But perhaps the most important ingredient in a delicious cup of chamomile tea is the love and care you pour into making it. So go ahead, take these tips and start your chamomile tea experiment. You might just surprise yourself and discover your new favorite way to enjoy this timeless classic.

Happy brewing!