Tannins in herbal tea: Brewing a delicious cup of herbal tea is easy, and there are endless possibilities for flavor combinations. However, did you know that tannins can affect the taste and color of your tea?
Tannins are a type of astringent compound found in many plants, including tea leaves. They can give herbal tea a bitter or dry taste and cause the color of the tea to change. When tannins are present in high amounts, they can make the tea taste astringent or harsh. They can also cause the color of the tea to become darker.
There are three main ways to reduce the tannin content in your herbal tea:
- Steep your tea for a shorter period. This will help extract less tannin from the leaves, resulting in a lighter-tasting cup of tea.
- Add milk or cream to your tea. This will help mellow out the tannins and make the tea taste smoother.
- Use tannin-free herbs in your tea blend. Some tannin-free herbs include chamomile, lavender, and mint.
By following these tips, you can enjoy a herbal tea cup free of harsh tannins.