The technical or real name for herbal tea is herbal infusion.
Understanding the Terminology
While widely known and enjoyed as "herbal tea," this popular beverage has specific technical names. According to the provided reference, herbal teas are:
"...technically known as herbal infusions, and less commonly called tisanes..., are beverages made from the infusion or decoction of herbs, spices, or other plant material in hot water."
This means that when speaking precisely, especially in botanical or food science contexts, "herbal infusion" is the accurate term. The word "infusion" refers to the process of extracting chemical compounds or flavors from plant material by soaking them in a solvent, like hot water.
Key Terms for Herbal Beverages
Here are the primary terms used for these types of drinks:
- Herbal Tea: The common, everyday name.
- Herbal Infusion: The technical name.
- Tisane: A less common alternative name, used in both the UK and US.
Unlike true teas (which come from the Camellia sinensis plant), herbal infusions are made from a wide variety of other plant parts, including leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, or roots.