Infusion, Tea or Tisane?

Tea, infusion, tisane?  Is there a difference?  Well actually – yes. 

Let’s start with tea, as this is the most commonly used name for drinks made with leaves and hot water. Tea is a beverage made from the leaves of the tea bush (Camellia sinensis)  which is the regular ‘5 Roses’ type of brew.  Although there are different types of tea, such as black, green, white and oolong, they all come from the same plant and the difference is how the leaves are processed.

Earl Grey and Chai tea are correctly called tea, as they contain ‘tea’ leaves.  Earl Grey is simply black tea with bergamot citrus oil (Citrus bergamia), or you can use the herb Bergamot (Monarda didyma). Chai tea is ‘tea’ flavoured with a variety of spices. (find a recipe here)

Tea often, but not always, has milk, sugar or lemon juice added.

A tisane is a lovely, old-fashioned word for a beverage prepared by infusing herbs, spices or flowers that is not from the tea plant(Camellia sinensis).

Tisanes are usually caffeine-free and are either single, or a combination of several, herbs.  They are often consumed for their health benefits, although more and more people are enjoying the flavours and drinking them as a beverage to replace coffee or tea.  The herbal ‘teas’ that you prepare or buy are really tisanes.  Chamomile, ginger, lavender, hibiscus, peppermint are all tisanes, as are any other herbs that you add to water.  Tisanes don’t usually have milk added, but are sometimes sweetened with honey or sugar.

And to make it a little more confusing, Rooibos is actually a tisane as there is no ‘tea’ added, but it is one that is commonly served with milk and sugar.

So what is an infusion?

An infusion is a general term for making a drink by steeping plant materials in water.  And that means that teas and tisanes can both correctly be called infusions. And you can go a step further as fruit waters, flavoured gins and wines, golden milk, and many more drinks are all infusions. 

So, there you have it.  I think tisane is a beautiful word that conjures up tranquil images and thoughts, and I would love to say I will use it.  But, in reality I will probably forget and continue to call my herbal teas…well, herbal teas!