Infusions and herbal teas are well known for their benefits which also depend on the plants used. Grandmother's remedies, companion for work or relaxation, for each situation its infusion! But actually, what is the difference between herbal tea and infusion? And how to properly prepare an infusion? To help you find your way, here are some preparation tips and the secrets of our relaxation ritual. Thanks to Chloé, creator of Slow, the brand of organic hemp infusions, for her advice.
Infusion and herbal tea, what's the difference?
Between infusions and herbal teas, there is often confusion. Which is more normal since they are both water and plant based.
The difference actually lies in the preparation : the infusion is an herbal tea but herbal tea is not necessarily an infusion!
To put it simply, infusion is a technique for preparing herbal tea in the same way as maceration or decoction.
When one or more plants are infused (flower, root, plant, leaf, etc.), the goal is to extract the aromas and benefits .
The main elements to take into account to prepare a good infusion are:
- pouring water over plants
- water temperature, which varies depending on the plants used
- covering during the infusion process to capture all the properties of the plants
- the infusion time which also varies depending on the plant used
Herbal tea , like tea, is simply an infused herbal preparation . So this is the result of the infusion.
Now that you know the difference between infusion and herbal tea, it's time to relax with the implementation of a relaxation ritual.
How to fully benefit from the benefits of its infusion?
What if we meditated at tea time?
To fully benefit from the benefits of the infusion , let us draw inspiration from the wisdom and rituals of the past. There is a historical link between tea and meditation: tea was imported to Japan by a Buddhist monk from China.
Traditionally, the tea ceremony is part of Zen meditation rituals . It would have first been drunk by monks during their meditation sessions to stay awake.
Today, we still find these ceremonies in Asia since they have become established in the culture and have persisted over time. What if we too took a break at tea time?
This is the ideal opportunity to slow down, take a moment to yourself in your day and enjoy the virtues of its infusion . To go a little further, you can even combine the infusion with meditation in order to reconnect with yourself and fully feel the benefits of plants on our body . This is what we are offering you today!
Simply consider tasting your infusion in the form of a mindfulness ritual: listening to your physical sensations and reactions. This ritual appeals to the 5 senses and helps us pay new attention to everything around us.
Whether it's the choice of cup, the impatience we can feel when the plants infuse or the warmth that fills us when we take a sip, everything plays a role in finding serenity .
Of course, you can enjoy this moment for a few minutes as well as for a longer period of time. The benefits of your infusion will be felt just as much : the essence of this ritual is to simply give yourself time
Preparation tips for a successful brew
Choose the plants for your infusion carefully
Prefer them:
- Organic: as the plants are not washed after harvest, they absorb the pesticides from the crops which end up in your cup. Organic is not perfect, but helps limit this risk.
- Without flavors: today we find flavors, natural or not, in the majority of commercial infusions. Natural, really? Dried plants are sufficient in themselves and any aromas distort the taste.
- In bulk: individual sachets are practical, but if you can, prefer bulk . Plants need space to express themselves, bulk also allows you to control the quantity according to your needs - not to mention the ecological dimension. Last argument: a certain number of teabags contain plastic, which diffuses into your cup...
- If you want to benefit from the relaxing benefits of CBD , finally choose the fat that you are going to add: vegetable milk or not, linseed oil, coconut oil, etc.
Choose your equipment
To prepare your infusion, even objects count. Choose objects that you love , your favorite mug for example, or those that bring you comfort or joy. The idea is to create an atmosphere that promotes relaxation. Why not add a little background sound if you feel like it?
To slowly enter meditation and reconnect with the present , you can start by paying attention to each stage of preparation and slowly slide towards relaxation .
Whatever teapot and cup you choose, the idea is also to take care of the items. Even simple, cheesy or chipped, your cup has a story. She is unique just like you are. Take the time to appreciate the detail of these familiar objects and the connection that unites them to you.
Tips for Properly Infusing Herbs
That's it: you're ready, it's time to infuse your plants.
Our first tip: don't forget that you can infuse all kinds of plants: roots, flowers, dried fruits, leaves... Choose them according to your tastes or their properties, the goal is to enjoy yourself.
You don't have to put them in a bag or filter ball, but still provide something to filter once the infusion is finished if you leave them to infuse as is.
Boil your water to 95°C or until you see the water simmering if you don't have something to measure the temperature.
Then pour your water into the container you have chosen and let it infuse for around ten minutes or according to the time indicated . Don't forget to cover well , this will keep all the elements present in the steam in your cup.
Once the infusion is finished you can of course sweeten it to your liking, add milk, a vegetable drink or enjoy your infusion plain. The idea is above all to have fun.
Let yourself be infused towards relaxation
It’s tasting time!
Take a seat somewhere comfortable : on a cushion, on your sofa, on a blanket, in the grass... If you're at work, maybe you'll want to get up and stretch? To move to a quieter corner or simply to tidy up your work space to make room for relaxation?
Start by appreciating the heat emanating from your cup, the color of your infusion. Soak up the sensations and scents. Close your eyes , then carefully take a sip, feeling the liquid go down your throat and being fully present to the taste. Breathe .
What did you feel ? Was it what you expected or were you surprised by your own feelings? Being in tune with your senses allows you to anchor yourself in the present moment, helps you relax and come back to yourself.
Repeat this process as many times as you like. If you can't relax straight away, it doesn't matter, don't dwell on it and continue your tasting while enjoying this simple moment .
Natural hemp and CBD products can also help you relax during intense stress.
This is the case of CBD oil which we told you about in a previous article.
You can of course adapt this ritual as you like because the goal is to be able to take a moment of relaxation for yourself.
As the tasting draws to a close, take the time to think about those who allowed you to enjoy these plants... Thank them, and above all, thank yourself , for the moment you gave yourself, just for YOU.
So relaxed?
Would you like to know more about eco-responsible infusions and teas? Meanwhile Boutique has a selection of flavored drinks, made by passionate artisans.
