Let’s talk about herbal tea. Yes, I said it—herbal tea. Now, if you’ve spent time around tea enthusiasts, you’ve probably heard them say, “It’s not really tea.” But if it’s not tea, what is it? They’ll tell you it’s a tisane. Tisane—a French word for infusion. But to that, I say: “Insane!” Why make things more complicated than they need to be?

Tea vs. Herbal Tea

Here’s the deal: tea, in the strictest sense, comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. This one remarkable plant is responsible for all the wonderful types of true tea: green, white, oolong, black, yellow, puer, and dark tea. Did I leaf anything out?

Herbal teas, on the other hand, come from a variety of plants, flowers, and roots that are not part of the tea family. These include some of the most beloved herbal brews, such as mint, rooibos, chamomile, hibiscus, Tulsi, lavender, rose, yerba maté (which does contain caffeine), lemon verbena, raspberry leaf, lemongrass, lemon balm, and chrysanthemum. These plants are entirely distinct from the tea plant, and yet they produce equally delightful infusions.

Why Herbal Teas Matter

One of the great advantages of herbal teas is that they are typically caffeine-free, making them a perfect choice for people looking to avoid stimulants. Plus, they can be incredibly delicious. However, I’ll admit, I was once a tea snob who turned my nose up at herbal teas. Why? For two main reasons:

1. A Love Affair with Tea: I was (and still am) enamored with the incredible variety and depth of flavor that comes from Camellia sinensis. As an underrated beverage in the U.S., I felt a duty to spread the gospel of true tea.
2. Business Focus: I sold tea—but not herbal tea. My passion was educating people about the complexities of teas like oolong, so I avoided distractions.

But here’s the thing: when I spoke to people about tea, they often thought of herbal teas—mint, chamomile, hibiscus, you name it. At first, this frustrated me. How could I get people to understand the beauty of oolong when their idea of “tea” was peppermint?

The Linguistic Twist

Then I had a realization: language evolves with usage. If most people use the word “tea” to describe herbal infusions, then who am I to argue? In a linguistic sense, they’re not wrong. Words mean what people commonly understand them to mean. And when someone says “tea,” they’re often referring to any warm, brewed beverage—whether it’s made from Camellia sinensis or a bouquet of herbs.

Embracing the Herbal Side

Once I made peace with this broader definition, I started to appreciate herbal teas for what they are: an incredibly diverse category of beverages with flavors and benefits all their own. Herbal teas don’t diminish the value of true tea; they complement it. They offer something different—something equally valid and worthy of exploration.

So, whether you’re a purist sipping single-origin oolong or someone who loves the soothing embrace of chamomile, let’s raise a cup to the beauty of all things brewed. Tea or tisane, it’s all about enjoying the moment.