Chamomile tea is one of the herbal teas that are making the rounds around the world for great reasons. This herbal tea is excellent for many things as it carries numerous health benefits.
Like other herbal teas, chamomile tea has its own notes and texture. Drinking chamomile tea tastes like drinking something melony and floral. The floral taste, however, greatly dominates all other flavors. It’s refreshing and clean and has a silky feel on the mouth.
Normally, dried chamomile flowers are used to make tea for tea bags and loose-leaf tea. The dried chamomile flowers used for making chamomile tea come from different countries around the world. For instance, we have German chamomile and Roman chamomile.
These tea leaves have a slightly different texture, taste, and smell. So, the biggest difference lies in the flowering plant from which your tea leaves were made. This factor will determine the taste of your tea.
Enjoy the Taste of Chamomile Tea
You can get the perfect taste of chamomile tea by steeping it at the right time and temperature. Similarly, you need to taste different flowers and simmer them for a while to decide which is best for you.
The tea leaves that come from Germany would not have the same taste as the ones that come from India. Hence, you can say the same for tea leaves coming from Africa. The process of making all the leaves is sort of the same. You use boiling water in all cases, but the leaves look different. So if you want to try the distinct taste of chamomile tea, you must try getting it from all these countries.
The taste of chamomile tea is quite interesting. The texture of the tea is quite silky. As for the taste, it is quite intense. You get a blast of floral-fruity flavors in your mouth. This herbal infusion has slight notes of melon, apple, and honey.
When all of these flavors combine, you get a sensational honey-like sweetness, which is quite remarkable. It has a light and refreshing taste. Just a single tea bag of chamomile can provide you with all these flavors.
The History of Chamomile Tea
The name “chamomile tea” has an interesting history behind it. The ancient Greek words melon and Kamai combine to form the word chamomile. These words mean “earth” and “apple.”
We know it comes from the chamomile flower or plant, but no one knows who first made this tea. The chamomile plant itself has a wide range of uses. The Egyptians and Romans used chamomile in ancient times and added it to their food, creams, and medicine to treat common ailments.
As the reports say, the ancient Egyptians considered that this tea would relieve fever. Moreover, they gave it a high rank and the status of a gift for God.
It also has medical purposes due to its anti-inflammatory properties. When it comes to drinking purposes, it is better known as sleepy-time tea.
Where Does Chamomile Tea Come From?
Chamomile tea originates from several countries
. Its roots hail from the Asian, African, and European continents. As of now, this tea is available in more countries than you can name.
Germans use this tea in medicines or drink it because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Because of how chamomile tastes, Spanish people used this drink to add flavor to sherry (wine). Moreover, it goes well with alcoholic beverages such as gins, vodkas, and whiskies.
Why Does Chamomile Tea Make You Sleepy?
Chamomile is a well-known natural sleep aid. Apigenin is found abundantly in chamomile. It is a type of antioxidant that encourages sleepiness. It binds to the GABA receptors in the brain and promotes a relaxing and mild sedative effect.
Hence, that is why many people drink chamomile tea to calm down and promote better sleep at night. Drinking chamomile tea every day reduces the risk of insomnia, a type of sleep disorder. Moreover, it improves sleep quality.
To get the best results from its sleeping properties, experts recommend taking the drink 45 minutes before going to bed. This will give your body time to metabolize the compounds in the tea.
Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea
The main reason for the use of chamomile tea is its health benefits. Not to mention, the reason for its huge production is its role in medicines. If you have stomach issues, a cup of chamomile tea will serve as the best remedy.
The calming and healing components of chamomile have been a vital part of herbal medicine for decades. A glass of chamomile tea can indeed be beneficial if you want to improve your immune system, reduce stress, or help you fall asleep at night.
- Chamomile tea helps reduce inflammation in our bodies. Chamomile can also help relieve chronic pain and inflammation
, especially if you have gout. - A warm cup of chamomile tea can help cure the symptoms of the common cold and leave you feeling better in no time. According to studies, chamomile can help by lessening the signs of a cold or a stuffy nose.
- The chamomile plant has health-promoting qualities. Research indicates that drinking chamomile tea may help people with heart diseases. Particularly coronary heart disease, though studies are still undergoing on the full effects and benefits one might get from it for heart health.
- Chamomile tea is a common hack to promote sleep and relaxation, and many civilizations have used it since ancient times. The mild soothing properties of chamomile tea are perfect for promoting sleepiness. Additionally, chamomile is believed to help people calm anxiety and fight depression and other diseases that affect sleep quality.
Recipe for Chamomile Tea
You can enjoy chamomile tea in the comfort of your home. Making it is not difficult at all. You only need three ingredients, of which one is optional.
Ingredients
- Water (8 to 10 oz)
- Chamomile tea bags or tea leaves (2/1 tablespoon)
- Mint leaves (these are optional, but you must add them if you want a good smell)
- If you are using fresh flowers, washing them and detaching them from the stem is better.
Procedure
- Now heat water in a kettle until tiny bubbles form in it.
- Add the chamomile tea leaves/flower and allow them to simmer.
- Now add the mint leaves.
- Let this process continue for five minutes. Make sure not to over-steep, or the tea will taste bitter.
- Strain the loose leaves.
- The tea is ready, and you can serve it. You can add milk or lemon for better flavor.
Is It Better to Add Milk Instead of Water to Chamomile Tea?
You can make chamomile tea using two popular methods. One involves milk, while the other deals with water. Although both ways are great, the milk method is better. Why? Because it gives the tea a better texture and also helps get rid of any smell that you might not like.
Check out: Does Chamomile Tea Break a Fast?
Conclusion
Chamomile tea has both a floral and melony taste. It has a silky feel, but the flavor takes some getting used to. Moreover, this tea carries numerous benefits as well as an outstanding history.
You can best enjoy a cup of this herbal drink at night for a relaxing sleep since it is naturally caffeine free. So, whether you are trying it as a remedy or just want to enjoy the taste, we believe you will love the experience.