25 Awesome Ways To Make Chamomile Tea Taste Better
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read the full disclosure here
How To Make Chamomile Tea Taste Better
Introduction
Probably best known for its sleep-inducing properties, chamomile tea is a powerhouse of antioxidants. It is believed to reduce stress as well as boost immunity making it a popular beverage worldwide.
It boasts a delightful summery aroma that begins to create an unwinding effect even before you take your first sip. It has a pleasantly earthy, mildly flowery taste with notes of apple that is both refreshing and soothing. However, this flavor may not be to everyone’s taste and also if you steep chamomile tea for too long it can quickly start to taste a little bitter.
Why Does My Chamomile Tea Taste Insipid
It could be down to a number of different things such as the quality of water or tea you are using, the water temperature, or even the tea to water ratio you use. If you’re finding it a bit hit and miss, it may simply be a case of trial and error until you get the depth of flavor you’re after. However, if despite your best efforts chamomile tea is still a little too bland for your palate, then you can always try to enhance the taste by adding something extra to create the taste sensation that’s just right for you
So if you want to enjoy a cup or more of this magical golden brew and all it has to offer on a regular basis, you need to know how to make chamomile tea taste better. Fortunately, there are a number of different things you can try to enhance your drinking experience.
25 Steps You Can Take To Help Improve The Taste Of Chamomile Tea.
Chamomile tea is a herbal infusion that is naturally caffeine-free. Chamomile flowers bloom into little white flowers with yellow centers that look like miniature daisies. The hot tea is brewed using just the flower heads of the plant. The benefits of chamomile tea are in abundance and it is one of the oldest, most widely used medicinal plants due to its known therapeutic effects.
The tea itself is quite mild and may therefore feel rather bland to some without any sweeteners or flavor enhancers. For this reason, it can be overlooked by tea drinkers which is unfortunate as chamomile is a great herb for many reasons. So let’s see how to make chamomile tea taste better:
Tea Preparation:
First and foremost the preparation of the tea itself is crucial in order to bring out the optimal flavor. Let’s dive into some of the most important ways you can improve the taste of your chamomile tea by making a few simple tweaks:
1. Water Quality
Your cup of tea is usually only as good as your water. So if you want to experience the best possible aromas and flavors from your brew, you need to pay attention to the water you use. The quality of water depends on various factors such as mineral content, hardness, PH level, etc. Also, be sure to try to use freshly drawn (filtered if possible) cold water in the kettle for your tea preparation.
If you let water stand in the kettle for too long or reboil it, it loses all of its oxygen, and then you are left with a really flat cup of tea. Remember, tea can only reach its full potential when made with good quality water and this is especially noticeable with mild-tasting herbal teas such as chamomile.
2. Water Temperature
Herbal teas are not usually as delicate when it comes to water temperature and therefore most can be brewed with boiling or nearly boiling water. Before brewing just to be sure, check if there are any special instructions printed on the label of your chosen tisane.
3. Steep Time
Most herbs can be brewed in boiling water and steeped for somewhere between 5-10 minutes. This is usually a good baseline to start from. However, it might take a bit of trial and error before you get the perfect cup.
Naturally, everyone has their own preference in tea flavor and intensity, and every tea is unique in its flavor profile and consistency. If you steep for too long you may produce strong, bitter flavors. Too little then you won’t be getting enough of the good stuff so your brew will be weak and insipid. The more attention you give to brewing your chamomile tea the better as it has such a delicate flavor.
4. Tea Quality
Just like you can have lower quality water you can also have a lower quality tea. So whether you buy teabags or loose leaf tea with whole flowers try to get the best within your budget. Loose leaf is usually the tastier option as you tend to get the full flavor experience – however, be mindful of your tea to water ratio.
If you do decide to get a tea that comes in a teabag, selecting a brand that packages their tea in natural and unbleached teabags is best. -This is because chemicals and plastics from bleached or synthetic teabags can leech into your tea affecting flavor and tea quality.
Note: The main two types of chamomile tea are Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum mobile) and German chamomile (Matricaria Recutita). German chamomile tends to have a more full-bodied, almost pungent scent, while Roman chamomile is sweeter and fruitier.
If you think you bought a high-quality tea yet your brew is poor, there is always a chance that the tea is just old or hasn’t been stored correctly. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unsafe to drink. Storing tea correctly not only helps to maintain flavor and freshness, but it helps to protect its wonderful aroma and antioxidant properties.
5. Teaware
It’s important to consider what your goal is in order to find the right teaware for your needs. From ceramic teapots that are great at retaining heat to glass teapots that display your tea blends in all their glory. Your teacup may be determined simply by your personal preference – for many of us, this automatically makes our tea taste better. However, you may want to experiment with different materials that have different effects on the flavor of the tea.
Adding Flavors To Chamomile Tea
Whether you’re adding sweetness or spice or a different type of tea there is a wide variety of condiments that you can use to enhance the flavor of your chamomile tea in order to achieve the perfect blend for you.
6. Cinamon
This aromatic ingredient has been used throughout history and is one of the world’s favorite spices. It doesn’t dissolve in water so you can either use it whole or break it apart to infuse more flavor into your chamomile tea.
This warming spice with its distinctive aroma is also thought to be rich in antioxidants thereby offering the consumer many additional health benefits to an already extensive list in the chamomile tea itself. Its naturally sweet flavor blends well and can be a great addition to other drinks as well. Just be sure to remove any cinnamon before serving this tasty pungent brew.
7. Cloves
Add an extra zing to your chamomile tea by blending it with cloves. Steeping this ground spice in hot water unlocks more of its flavor and releases its chemical compounds, resulting in an intensely aromatic brew, packed with antioxidants and great for supporting overall well-being.
This wonderfully soothing combination has a subtly sweet flavor that brings a noticeable amount of heat to each sip. It’s a great tea blend to consume especially when you feel the need for a healthy pick-me-up.
8. Ginger
Both warming and fresh this popular flavor combination not only tastes great but is a natural aid for digestive health, helping with nausea, bloating, and indigestion. The fresh ginger component helps stimulate digestive juices in the stomach while the chamomile component has anti-inflammatory properties. Whenever you are feeling stressed, this potent tea blend is one of the most soothing brews you can sip!
9. Ginseng
Ginseng root has a sweet licorice flavor with earthy undertones making it a popular flavor addition to tea. Ginseng tea has been traditionally used for energy, to relieve stress, and has also been shown to have immune-boosting properties.
10. Hibiscus
Hibiscus and chamomile are both magnificent flowering herbs with many health benefits. Chamomile and hibiscus tea both have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can be consumed to help reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and give your immune system a boost.
The pairing of tart yet sweet hibiscus with delicately floral chamomile creates a magical blend, soothing, therapeutic yet invigorating, and a definite treat for the taste buds.
11. Honey
Honey and chamomile are a well-loved flavor combination. The floral flavor of chamomile complements the honey’s, natural sweetness. Raw local honey especially has plenty of health benefits to offer including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidants, making it an excellent pairing to the soothing properties of chamomile.
Honey is an appreciated and valued natural product that has been widely used for its therapeutic effects. It is a natural sweetener for tea and you don’t need to use as much of it as you would with sugar. The use of honey in beverages is increasingly popular for good reason.
So if you like your chamomile tea with a little added sweetness then honey may be the ideal choice. It’s important to note that adding raw honey directly to boiling water may reduce its properties so to gain the maximum health benefits allow your tea to steep a while before adding the honey.
12. Jasmine
Combining the flavors of jasmine and chamomile makes for an intoxicating brew. The scent of jasmine creates a tantalizing aroma adding another dimension to the chamomile tea-drinking experience. This exquisite floral mix is linked to many impressive health benefits including reduced stress, improved digestion, and enhanced mental clarity.
13. Lavender
Lavender has a sweet, herbaceous aroma with honey-like overtones, while chamomile is fragrant and soothing. The benefits of these two botanicals are many. Lavender tea helps reduce anxiety and insomnia, while chamomile tea promotes calmness and relaxation. Lavender is delicate and light, blending well with the sweet notes of chamomile creating a smooth aromatic blend.
14. Lemon
Many people have different reasons for drinking tea. Some are looking for the taste, some are looking for the benefits. When you drink lemon chamomile tea, you can look forward to both a flavorful event and a refreshing way to enjoy numerous potential health gains. Lemon is an incredibly popular addition to chamomile tea and has the added benefit of adding a sharp, zesty flavor to the brew.
15. Lemon Balm
Chamomile and lemon balm are both calming and relaxing making this the perfect bedtime tea blend. Since both are believed to have a sedative nature the brew can help your mind and body transition from the demands of the day to a restful evening. Lemon balm has a fresh minty lemony aroma that combines well with the delicate floral chamomile, delicious
16. Licorice Root
Licorice root is naturally sweet and earthy combining well with soothing chamomile. It is a common flavoring used in many things and is believed to have numerous medicinal properties. Licorice root is often added to herbal teas to enhance the flavor. However, licorice root is known to carry some potential risks for certain people so caution is advised before trying. If you have any concerns please check first with your health care provider.
17. Mango
Mango tea has a sweet, slightly tart flavor with subtle undertones of tropical fruit. It is said to help lower blood pressure, improve digestion and support the immune system. Chamomile tea laced with mango provides an exotic twist. Floral, soothing with a sweet fruit kick this tea is a great non-alcoholic party beverage served iced cold. The tropical flavors also make this the perfect summer drink.
18. Mixing Teabags
Mixing and combining teas can create new teas with unique flavor profiles and complex tastes. Black tea is a common additive for chamomile tea. However, it does have a tendency to quickly overwhelm the chamomile flavor. Conversely, this may be a good thing for those who don’t like the taste of chamomile but still want the benefits. Always remember to be mindful of the brewing instructions for the different tea types you are blending.
Currently, I am enjoying the mix of Twinings Lemon & Ginger Tea with Bigelow Chamomile. It seems to be easing a recent spell of digestive discomfort and helping me to sleep a little easier through the night – plus it’s a lovely tasty treat in the evening that seems to curb the need for a late-night snack.
19. Orange Peel
Citrus peel can be a great way to make chamomile tea taste better. Lemon is probably the most obvious and popular choice to pair with chamomile. However, a few peels of orange zest also make a wonderfully refreshing infusion. Alternatively, you could add sliced oranges to hot chamomile – squeezing in some of the fresh juices will add extra sweetness to the brew.
20. Peppermint
People have used peppermint both for its flavoring and medicinal effects for hundreds of years. It may have a number of health benefits and is often suggested if you’re looking for something to aid with digestion. As a tea blend, you can’t go far wrong with chamomile and peppermint for their taste combination and health-giving properties.
The flavors really do compliment each other well. Blending them seems to accentuate the flavors of each without overpowering one or the other. As a bonus, you also get to experience the calming effects of both herbs in a single blend.
21. Rose
Made from the fragrant petals and buds of rose flowers, rose tea in itself is an aromatic herbal beverage with numerous purported health benefits. The combination of rose and chamomile is just perfect for the floral tea lover, creating an exquisite infusion – sweet, soft, and wonderfully calming.
22. Saffron
Often known as the sunshine spice due to its mood-boosting properties saffron has a rich history. It is believed to provide some significant health benefits and has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of health conditions.
Like many other herbs and spices, saffron can be prepared as a tea. It makes a mood-lifting, refreshing herbal beverage with exotic, spicy earthy flavors. These combine well with chamomile tea to give a light hint of saffron that lends a sweet uplifting note to each sip.
23. Vanilla
Natural vanilla flavors are a delicious addition to chamomile tea. Velvety vanilla delivers sweet sensations creating a warming and rich tea blend. Vanilla is a popular ingredient in a tea latte, the combination of chamomile, honey, and vanilla works really well – relaxing and delicious!
Adding Milk To Chamomile Tea
As you can see from my above suggestion I am certainly not against adding milk to chamomile tea, or any tea for that matter. Chamomile tea lattes marry the flavors of creamy milk with floral hints beautifully. You can use any kind of milk, including regular and non-dairy options (such as soy milk). My two preferred options are:
When pairing milk with tea, always take into consideration flavors and textures. Try to match flavor notes in your tea with milk flavors.
24. Almond Milk
Almond milk is made by blending almonds with water and then straining the mixture to remove the solids. It is both rich in nutrients and low in calories. The slightly nutty flavor and creamy texture of the almond milk seem to complement the slightly sweet, light floral notes in chamomile tea.
25. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is different from coconut water, it is thicker and more flavorful. It has a sweet, slightly floral nutty flavor. It is a popular non-dairy, vegan milk alternative, which is why many people love it in their tea lattes. Combining it with the delicious and healing properties of chamomile tea can be a great way to wind down after a long day.
Conclusion
There are many steps you can take as you try to discover how to make chamomile tea taste better and it’s certainly worth the journey. Whether you simply don’t enjoy the taste of chamomile tea but want the health benefits, or just want to change things up a bit you have plenty of options to savor – enjoy the adventure!
FAQ’s
Is It Ok To Drink Chamomile Tea Every Day?
Chamomile tea is a natural remedy often used for its calming properties. Drinking 1-2 cups every day is considered quite safe. It is often used to help promote sleep, so a cup about 45 minutes before bed may help you to unwind and fall asleep a little easier.
Does Chamomile Tea Stain Teeth?
As chamomile is a tisane and not a true tea, many of the elements that cause staining to teeth in a true tea are absent. However, the acidity and tanning level of your herbal brew can be increased depending on the strength of the infusion, this can escalate the risk of staining.
Why Don’t Some People Like Chamomile Tea
The flavor of chamomile tea can be quite divisive. Some people love the delicate slightly sweet floral taste, while others find it bland and weak. Opinions often differ depending on the kind of chamomile tea used, with the whole flower tending to have a more intense flavor.
It’s worth noting that if your chamomile tea is tasting bitter you may be steeping it for too long. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference.
