Steeping Chamomile

This is probably a better place for you to get herbal tea answers -

- since this is a tea group.

-

yes, If you can add a piece of lime or lemon in your cup..your cup of chamomile will be more interesting ..

Howard

That is about it, it really depends on the quality and handling of the chamomile. I always make sure to get Egyptian Chamomile that is intended for consumption, a lot of it is sold for potpourri/etc. and in a few cases people have been selling this for tea. You can tell the potency and quality pretty quickly, I have some that will put you down after drinking it... you can feel your eyes getting heavy as you drink it. Just smelling the flowers in the jar gives a noticeable feeling.

Since it is herbal, steep time really doesn't matter nor water temp... but I go fairly hot off boil water and about 2 minutes. Lemongrass is a great additive to Chamomile.

Best of luck!

- Dominic

I generally add mint or catnip. Harney and Sons' "yellow and blue" is a blend of chamomile and lavender (and cornflowers); quite delicious.

N.

when i got some chamomille flowers for tea , from chado, they told me 5-7 minutes... did that, came out good, ok not very powerful in flavors and rather kinda felt oilly-thick, was ok...

I get mine from a little shop here in Pittsburgh called PrestoGeorge. I believe they have a website, and they do ship. They charge like $8/ lb. and for a frame of reference a 1/2lb. is two big overstuffed bags (like the type you buy fresh ground coffee in).

It is very good quality and not heavy or weak. With any herbal tea, there isn't really a steep time. The flavor will only reach a certain strength at max and not get bitter or different if left longer. 3-5 minutes is fine, but 10 or more won't hurt anything as it would with tea.

- Dominic

Is that the stuff that knocks you out???? I NEED some of that. I haven't slept for 2 days. Which kind will put my tired self to sleepyland? Thanks

ladyredlight

Yes, that's the stuff... from Presto George. Although any chamomile will help some. I bought a pound once and gave it out for Christmas and my grandfather brewed some while we were there and he was out like a light in 20 minutes. It's potent.

- Dominic

Okay, I found the website....now WHICH brand is it?

ladyredlight, with her plastic ready to SHOP

How are Presto George's Teas? Worth getting an everyday Kemmun or green along with the order?

I notice you've said something similar to this a few times. I can understand if it applies to Chamomile, but find it hard to believe that time and temerature only affect the tea plant. Why won't any other plants get bitter with stronger brews or have an optimum temperature and brew time to bring out the flavor?

Blues

Presto George is a decent place for tea. Much is overpriced but they are about it for loose tea in Pittsburgh. They are a small coffee roaster/seller in the area called "The Strip District" which is like a row of ethnic and unique shops and stores. A few teas I've had were good, but nothing exceptional. They order from a catalog (The name escapes me but I think it was Metropolitan Tea company) They tend to ask me to help identify teas every now and then, and no one there is an expert. If the price is right and you're not expecting high-end tea then go for it. Middle to lower quality.

As for steeping, it is generally safe to state that brewing herbal tea requires no specific attention. There are exceptions, but for the most part (especially with flowers) they only have so much flavor in them and no more. There is nothing to become bitter or off, if they sit for

5 minutes or 1 hour, the flavor will be the same. With tea you are stopping the process at the optimal point, it is much more complex and is processed in some manner which also changes things. Flowers are simply dried. The hotter the water the better just to ensure you get everything out of your flower, but time and temp are fairly unimportant.

- Dominic

The site is

It is found under Herb Teas and then Chamomile. It appears that their website has been changed big time, and it also looks like they raised their price a bit too. It is not a brand, they have huge glass jars filled with the flowers... they pack it in those bags to order. 1/2lb. for ~$7 isn't bad though.