This post covers these topics on chamomile tea:
- Chamomile pronunciation
- What chamomile tea tastes like
- How to make chamomile tea
- How long to steep chamomile tea
- Putting milk in chamomile tea
- Adding lavender to chamomile tea
At the end, there are step-by-step instructions for brewing a basic cup of chamomile tea.
Chamomile pronunciation
Chamomile is pronounced in three syllables:
- Cha – which sounds like the first two letters of “cat.”
- Mo – Sounds like “mow,” like when you mow the lawn. People sometimes pronounce it more like the “mu-“ part of “mud,” which is also correct. To be honest, this syllable’s vowel is barely pronounced. The “m” is something to bounce off of to get to the last syllable.
- Mile – Sounds like “meal,” like what you eat three times a day.
What does chamomile tea taste like?
Chamomile tea tastes slightly grassy and appelic, but more like apple peels than the inside of an apple. Because it is an herb that grows from the ground, there is a soil smell to it, which influences the taste. It is the tiniest bit sweet—the tiniest bit. A well brewed cup of chamomile tea tastes full bodied, floral, and aromatic.
How to make chamomile tea
You can make chamomile tea by steeping 1 teaspoon of chamomile flowers in 8-10 fl oz of boiled water for 10 minutes.
For an extra kick, use double the amount of chamomile. For one cup, this would be two teaspoons instead of one.
To get the best chamomile tea, brew whole chamomile flower heads instead of the pre-filled tea bags from the grocery store. The flowering tops are the best part of the plant to use for their calming and medicinal effects. When you buy a little sack of chopped up plant matter, you don’t really know which part of the plant is in there—it could be all stems. When you have whole flowering tops, then you know exactly what you’re putting in your body, and you can be sure you’re using the most potent part of the plant.
The flower heads can be fresh, which will look like they do in the pictures on this post, or they can be dried. The dried flowers will be more yellow and pollen-dominant, and most of the petals will have fallen off. That’s okay, they’ll still work!
How long to steep chamomile tea
Although boxes of chamomile tea will tell you to steep for 3-5 minutes, I think it’s better to steep it for at least 10 minutes. My technique when brewing chamomile is to pour boiling water over the flower heads, and cover for at least ten minutes. This way, it steeps for a long time while staying hot.
Another way to brew chamomile tea is to put it in actively boiling water for ten minutes on the stove. Afterward, strain the flowers from the brew while you pour it into a mug. This will give you a more thorough extraction. It may result in some bitterness, but its effects will be greater.
If you want a listed version of my standard chamomile tea recipe, scroll all the way down.
Putting milk in chamomile tea
This is not the classic way to drink chamomile tea, but I like to do it this way. It helps to cool down the drink faster, and it adds a softness to the flavor. When I add milk, I pour in just a tablespoon or two for one mug of tea. Most people don’t do this, but it’s something I do because I just like it, especially if I’m using lavender.
Adding lavender to chamomile tea
Lavender has enormous aromatherapeutic effects. When brewed with chamomile flowers, it adds a fragrance that calms the nervous system even further. Imagine bringing your tea up to take a swig, and the light steam wafting out smells like beautiful lavender. The two herbs smell and taste delicious together. I have a post on the benefits of this blend, as well as how to make it. Also, as a bonus, there are instructions in that post on how to make a tea latte.
How to make chamomile tea
If you can, use chamomile flowering tops for your tea. This will help ensure the quality of your brew.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp chamomile flowers
- 8-10 fl. oz of water
Equipment
- Reusable tea bag, sieve, or mesh strainer
- Kettle
- Mug
Instructions
- Set the water to boil.
- Fill the reusable tea bag, sieve, or mesh strainer with the flowers and buds, and place it into the mug.
- When the water boils, pour it into the mug. You can leave the flora in until the water cools enough to drink, or at least ten minutes. To help keep it hot for longer, you can cover it with a saucer or small plate.
Now that you have a comforting and delicious cup of chamomile tea, you can drink it at your own pace and enjoy the relaxation it provides. If you liked this post, subscribe to Herbs and Brew below! Thanks for reading 🙂