How To Pick The Right Herbal Blends Loose Leaf Tea For Your Needs

By Patrick Snyder


If you are new to the world of tea drinking or have only ever stuck to orange pekoe before you may be amazed at the number of options that are available. Products such as herbal blends loose leaf tea are available in a wide range of flavors and finding ones that you love can be a lot of fun. If you are new to herbal beverages, here are some things to keep in mind when you do go shopping.

If you ask someone why they prefer loose leaf versions to bagged ones you may hear that the taste is better. Often, people believe that the material a bag is made out of can affect the taste. Some bagged products are now using cloth instead of paper to try and reduce this impact. Using a different type of filter that is made of metal or some other neutral material can help reduce negative flavors left by paper tea bags.

You may be surprised to learn that some herbal products can have fairly strong effects on your health. Chamomile, a popular ingredient in some recipes, can be quite effective in making someone tired and more able to sleep well. If you need to reduce the water in your system, drinking beverages that include dandelion can help have a diuretic effect. It is no wonder that traditional healers often use herbal teas to treat medical conditions.

While it can be convenient to simply toss a bag in hot water using loose leaf products is no longer as difficult as it was. Now there are many different pots and thermos models that use an integrated strainer to keep stray leaves from getting into your drink. Make sure that you use a strainer that is fine enough to trap small leaf fragments.

Caffeine sensitivity can be one reason why some people drink herbal beverages. Keep in mind that some teas can have as much caffeine or more than coffee. Others have different compounds that still give an energy boost. If you are very sensitive to these types of compounds, you may want to ask an expert whether you can minimize the effect or whether a different herbal blend might be better for you.

You should also find out what you need to do to prepare a particular blend properly. Some will need water that is warmer or cooler than others. Details to ask about include how much tea to add to your strainer and how long to let it steep. Some products can become bitter if they are allowed to steep for too long.

There are many places that you can look for herbal beverages to brew. There are specialty stores and websites dedicated to herbal brews. They will often have tasting guides and helpful information that can enable you to pick the right variety to try. You can also find products in grocery stores as well.

You may want to buy a lot of your favorite variety at once but this may end up being a mistake. It can get stale if you do not drink it in a reasonable amount of time. It may be better to buy several different types of tea in smaller amounts so that you can drink it before the taste and smell begin to degrade.




About the Author: