Herbal infusions
We are used to speaking about ‘herbal infusions’ and not ‘herbal teas’ (as is seen in so many places). ‘Herbal teas’ usually don’t contain tea leaves (as in: the tea plant Camellia Sinensis). A herbal infusion is also called a ‘tisane.’ It’s a tea-like beverage, often prepared in the same way as a tea. The beverage consists of one or more varieties of plants, flowers and herbs. Rooibos is an example of a herbal infusion, but also chamomile, lemon verbena, lemongrass, lime blossom, orange blossom etc. Most herbal infusions are free of theine. (Attention: yerba maté is an exception; this South American herb is well-known for its high level of caffeine). As there is no theine, herbal infusions are ideal to drink in the evening or as a nightcap.

Fruit infusions
A fruit infusion is often called a ‘fruit tea,’ but hardly ever contains leaves of the tea plant. Fruit infusions consist of cut and dried pieces of fruit and can be prepared as a tea-like beverage. Usually fruit infusions needs to steep slightly longer than regular tea leaves or a herbal infusions. Some fruit infusions also contain dried roselle (a variety of hibiscus). Roselle gives a fruit infusion its fresh-sweet sparkle. Fruit infusions can be drunk both as a warm and a cold beverage and are free of theine.