FOOD NEWS
Tisane Is The Herbal 'Tea' Type You Should Be Aware Of
BY JENNIFER SWEENIE
Although you may not be familiar with the term "tisane," you might have a box or two of tisanes tucked away in your pantry. They're better known as "herbal teas."
Unlike true tea, which is made with the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, tisanes may include many different non-tea plants. These "teas" are usually caffeine-free as well.
The misconception that tisanes are teas, at least in the US, arises from colonial times. US colonists brewed herbal "freedom tea" to avoid taxes on true, imported tea.
However, tisanes have been enjoyed for millennia. The first known tisane was made in ancient Egypt out of chamomile, and was meant to calm the drinker while honoring the gods.
Depending on the ingredients, tisanes can ease nausea, indigestion, and bloating, promote sleep, lower blood sugar, and more. Their flavor is influenced by certain parts of plants.
Tisanes may be made from the leaf, root, flower, fruit, or bark of a plant, which can make the drink stronger, sweeter, or more aromatic. Many tisanes use blends of multiple plants.
When brewing a tisane, avoid using an aluminum pot, since some plants react toxically with the metal. Also, don't add milk, which can curdle when it meets some tisane ingredients.