How to prepare your tea

For the Record

Most of the whole-leaf blends found on this site are technically herbal infusions, not teas.  All teas from white to green to black are all made from the leaves of one plant, Camellia sinensis.  It is the differences in the way the leaves are processed that leads to the different types of teas. 

Herbal infusions are made from the leaves, flowers and other light materials of many different species of botanicals; anything but Camellia sinensis.  Sometimes, the active constituents of a plant are in the tough parts like the root or bark, making it difficult to extract these beneficial components.  When this is the case, a decoction is made instead of an infusion.  Complete brewing instructions are included with all of my blends.  For a blend that requires decocting, rather than just simple infusing, a note is included in the product description.

 

How to Prepare an Infusion
Beverage made from leaves, flowers and light material. Place 1-2 teaspoons of the herbal blend into a brewing utensil of your choice and place in a 6-8 oz size cup. Add just boiling water and allow it to steep for at least 3-5 minutes, or to taste. For a more "medicinal" effect steep 15-30 minutes.
Infusions may usually be stored refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

How to Prepare a Decoction
Drink made from bark, roots, seeds, twigs and berries. Place 1-3 tablespoons of herbal blend into a cooking pot of 16-32 oz of room temperature water and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. Put the pot on the stove, cover and bring to a slow boil.  Turn down the heat and simmer for 10-30 minutes. Knock the condensed liquid on the cover of the pot back into the pot.  Strain and drink. Most decoctions can also be brewed as a single cup through the simple infusion process as described above, but the level of extracted active components will be significantly lower.
Decoctions may usually be stored for up to 72 hours if refrigerated.