Difference between tea and infusion. In&Out Cooking clarifies!

Are tea and infusion synonymous? Does tea have caffeine? Are teas/infusions made with leaves of better quality? If you have these and/or other questions related to teas/infusions, you are in the right place! In&Out Cooking will clarify all your doubts and show you some advantages of including these drinks in your daily routine.

Tea

Tea results from the obligatory addition of tea plant leaves (Camellia sinensis - photo below) in boiling water. The term “tea” is also used for leaves of this plant, already processed. 

There are only 4 types of tea: black, green, Oolong and white. All known variants come always from these 4 types and result from the addition of other “herbs” (eg: lemon tea). However, a tea must always contain leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant, otherwise, it is not considered tea, but an infusion.

All teas have caffeine (even in low quantities) and the first notable difference in each is the taste and color. What also contributes to this, is the distinct way the tea plant leaves are processed and the type of contact they have with oxygen, until they become the 4 types of tea mentioned before.

This drink is one of the oldest in the world and, for this reason, its origin has many legends. It is often said that the first cup of tea was prepared in China (about 5000 years ago), accidentally, when a tea leaf fell into the boiling water of Emperor Shen Nung, who, while tasting, fell in love with the aroma.

In contrast to what one might think, due to the current passion of its inhabitants for tea, it was not the United Kingdom that brought this aromatic drink to Europe, but Portugal! However, it was the Netherland that saw commercial potential in these precious leaves, which made them very expensive. Curiously, this drink only reached the British, later and under the influence of the Portuguese princess Dona Catarina de Bragança, married to Dom Carlos II of England.

Herbal Infusion

Infusion is a process that consists of adding boiling water to leaves, flowers, peels, seeds, fruits or plant stems, which results in a drink rich in flavor.

Tea is an infusion that uses leaves from a specific plant, as we have already explained. Besides this, the drink that results from the use of other plants is commonly called herbal infusion.

The herbal infusion does not contain caffeine and, within the multitude of possibilities, we can use, for example, chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint, linden, lemon verbena, rosemary, thyme, jasmine, ginger, lemon and orange peel. Generally, the “herb” is dried before being used in the infusion and each one has different properties. Chamomile, for example, is widely used thanks to its relaxing action, among other health benefits.

Both teas and infusions must be enjoyed without sugar, in order to be able to feel their true flavors, thus should be used leaves or herbs in bulk, instead of the typical “tea bags”. These bags, at first sight, may seem more useful and practical, however, usually, the best quality products are not used inside and can cause the loss of most essential oils and aroma of the tea/infusion.

Take a look at the Coffee and Tea tab, in our online store, which includes kettles, thermo bottles, infusers and accessories, among other useful products to enjoy your tea in the best way.

Warm Your Heart!