What Is the Difference Between Herbal Tea and True Tea?

The term “true tea” refers only to black, green, white, and oolong tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. “Herbal teas,” or infusions, such as chamomile, linden, and sage are made from the leaves, flowers, or roots of other plants that are botanically unrelated to the tea plant. This distinction may seem like a small difference in terminology, but it affects caffeine content and brewing methods. Why is the caffeine difference so large? Camellia sinensis naturally contains caffeine. Black tea usually has the most, while green and white tea contain somewhat less because of how they are processed. Most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free because their source plants do not contain caffeine. For this reason, herbal tea is often chosen as a warm evening drink that will not interfere with sleep. Why do brewing methods differ? If true tea leaves steep for too long, tannins can be released and leave a bitter, astringent taste. Do not exceed the recommended steeping time for the type of tea, such as 2-3 minutes for green tea and 3-5 minutes for black tea. Herbal teas have a much lower risk of becoming astringent, and many are intentionally steeped longer, for 5-10 minutes, to develop a stronger flavor. Some products can be confusing because “tea” appears in their name. Kombucha, for example, is made by fermenting true tea brewed from Camellia sinensis, so technically it is a derivative of true tea rather than an herbal tea. Fruit teas are usually blends of dried fruit pieces and plants such as hibiscus, and may not contain true tea leaves. Color is not always a reliable clue: herbal teas made with hibiscus or cranberry can be deep red because of the plants’ own pigments, not the oxidation process that affects true tea. A drink being called “tea” does not necessarily mean it contains Camellia sinensis; the ingredient list on the package is the most reliable source. White tea is an interesting example: it is made from Camellia sinensis, but from buds and young leaves with minimal processing. It is therefore a true tea and is known as the least processed type of tea. Oolong is partially oxidized, falling between black and green tea, and also comes from the same plant. Cup size and water temperature are also handled differently for the two groups. True teas are usually steeped in water that is not boiling, at 70-95°C / 160-205°F, while most herbal teas can be steeped in fully boiling water because there is much less risk of releasing tannins. The same pot or cup can be used for both tea types; only the steeping time and water temperature need to be adjusted.