Tea vs Tisane - What's The Difference?

January 13, 2022

Author: Wellway Tea

Did you know that tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the whole world after water? Nothing wakes you up better than a warm cup of tea. More than half of the world drinks tea, and there are thousands of different tea varieties available. And then there are Herbal Teas, also known as tisanes, which aren't even tea at all. Many people confuse tisanes with teas, but they are quite different. Here is everything you need to know about the difference between tisanes and teas.

Tea: What Is It?

In technical terms, it refers to the leaves of just one plant. ‘True' types of teas are derived from the Camellia Saneness leaves, which is a plant native to Asia. However, other forms of tea, such as Japanese and Chinese green teas, Earl Grey, to English breakfast, can also be derived from this plant depending on how you process the leaves. On the other hand, black teas are oxidized, which gives them their rich, dark color. The process is lengthy with oolong tea as the leaves are shaken in bamboo baskets to bruise and dry them out. As for white teas, they are left out to dry.

In short,

Pu’er and black tea=fermented

Red tea, blue-green tea, yellow tea, and white tea=oxidized

Green tea=non-oxidized

Tea possesses various molecules that offer numerous benefits. Catechism is a standard set of ingredients, and it's a powerful anti-oxidant and has been studied in cancer research. They help your body fight against abnormal cells.

Tisane: What Is It?

Various plants (herbs) are used to make a tisane, and it's consumed in the same way as tea. For centuries, tisanes have been used to treat diseases and ailments. Boiling or steeping a plant in water creates a concoction, which can then be consumed to create a desired effect on the body. They have vast benefits for your body. Tea only provides you with particular chemical compounds with healing properties, but the combinations are limitless with tisanes, offering you numerous healing benefits.

The Many Types of Tisanes

Generally, any berry, root, flower, etc., that can be steeped in water and consumed can be regarded as a tisane. They are categorized according to which part of the plant they come from, such as seed/spice, fruit/berry, root, bark, flower, and leaf/herb. Here are some examples of the various types of tisanes:

Seed/spice: fennel and cardamom

Fruit/berry: apple, peach, blueberry, and raspberry

Root: licorice and ginger

Bark: black cherry and cinnamon

Flower: lavender, hibiscus, chamomile, and rosehips

Leaf: lemongrass and peppermint

Does Tea Or Tisane Have More Caffeine?

If you want to switch to a healthier lifestyle, you would want to quit caffeine. All tea's have caffeine. Green tea can have as little as 35 milligrams, whereas black tea can possess as high as 90 milligrams. The amount can vary according to the type of tea. Here are some basic caffeine levels for tea:

White tea: 6-25 mg

Green tea: 8-36 mg

Oolong tea: 12-55mg

Black tea: 23-110mg

On the other hand, herbal infusions are generally free from caffeine, making them perfect for post-meal sipping.

Preparation

Both tisanes and teas can be brewed using a strainer or a teabag. There are two methods for preparing tisanes. For the first method, put it in a pot with cool water. Make sure that the pot isn’t made of aluminum, as it can react with the herbs. After that, place the pot on the stove and heat the water. You must boil the solution until 2/3rd of the water has evaporated and then strain it before drinking. Alternatively, you can also use the infusion procedure in which the herbs are steeped in hot water, strained, and then sifted through. The main difference between tisane and tea is that tisanes aren’t made from tea leaves but through this herbal infusion.