How to Make Thyme Tea in 4 Easy Steps (Plus 2 Delicious Recipes)

Thyme is a versatile herb that can be used for cooking, perfumes, and even herbal tea. Thyme tea is a refreshing and aromatic drink that can offer many health benefits, such as soothing a sore throat, lowering blood pressure, and boosting immunity. In this article, we will show you how to make thyme tea using both fresh and dried thyme leaves, as well as some tips and tricks, benefits, and some drink recipes. Let’s get started!

Fresh vs Dried Thyme

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Thyme is a member of the mint family, native to the Mediterranean region. It has over 400 subspecies, each with its own flavor and aroma. You can use any variety of thyme to make thyme tea, but the most common one is garden thyme, also known as thymus vulgaris.

You can use either fresh or dried thyme leaves, depending on your preference and availability. Fresh thyme has a more delicate and floral flavor, while dried thyme has a more concentrated and earthy flavor. Fresh thyme also contains more volatile oils, which are responsible for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

If you have fresh thyme in your garden or in pots, you can harvest it anytime, but the best time is in the morning, when the oils are at their peak. You can use the whole sprigs or just the leaves. To store fresh thyme, you can wrap it in a damp paper towel and keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze it for up to six months.

Drying Thyme leaves:

If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can use dried thyme leaves, which are available in most grocery stores and online. You can also dry your own thyme at home, by tying the sprigs in small bundles and hanging them upside down in a warm, dry, and dark place for about two weeks. Once the leaves are dry and brittle, you can strip them off the stems and store them in an airtight container for up to a year. Additionally, you can dry them in the oven for a quicker outcome. See how to do this here.

How to Make Thyme Tea

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Making thyme tea is very easy and simple. All you need is boiling water, thyme, and optionally, some lemon juice and honey for extra flavor and sweetness. Here are the basic steps for making the tea with fresh or dried thyme leaves:

1. Boil a pot of water or use an electric kettle.
2. Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried thyme leaves or 1 thyme tea bag to a cup. Alternatively, add 8-10 fresh thyme sprigs or 2 tablespoons of fresh thyme leaves to a cup.
3. Pour the boiling water over the thyme and let it steep for 10-15 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger the flavor and the more benefits you get.
4. Strain the tea (if using loose leaves) and enjoy your hot thyme tea. You can also let it cool down and drink it cold or over ice.
5. Add some lemon juice and honey to taste, if desired. Lemon juice adds a refreshing citrus flavor and vitamin C, while honey adds a natural sweetness and antibacterial properties.

Tips and Tricks

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Here are some tips and tricks to make your tea experience even better:

• Experiment with different varieties of thyme, such as lemon thyme, orange thyme, or caraway thyme, to find your favorite flavor and aroma.
• Mix thyme with other herbs, such as mint, rosemary, sage, or lavender, to create your own herbal tea blends.
• Add some spices, such as ginger, cinnamon, or cloves, to enhance the flavor and warmth of your tea.
• Use organic thyme, if possible, to avoid any pesticides or chemicals that may affect the quality and taste of your tea.
• Drink thyme tea regularly, at least once a day, to enjoy its full benefits and effects.

Benefits of Thyme Tea

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Thyme tea is not only delicious, but also beneficial for your health. Here are some of the amazing benefits of this tea, backed by science:

• Thyme tea can help fight acne, thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. A 2010 study found that thyme essential oil was effective against P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne.
• This tea can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, thanks to its antioxidant and vasodilating properties. A 2014 study found that an extract of thyme was able to significantly reduce heart rate and cholesterol levels in rats with high blood pressure.
• Thyme tea can help alleviate cough and respiratory problems, thanks to its bronchodilating and expectorant properties. A 2006 study found that a combination of thyme and ivy leaves was able to reduce coughing and other symptoms of acute bronchitis.
• This herbal tea can help boost immunity and prevent infections, thanks to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. Thyme is rich in vitamins A and C, which are essential for immune function. Thyme also contains thymol, a compound that can kill harmful bacteria and fungi.
• Thyme tea can help prevent premature aging and protect against cancer, thanks to its antioxidant and anticancer properties. Thyme contains flavonoids, such as rosmarinic acid and luteolin, which can scavenge free radicals and inhibit the growth of cancer cells .

Drink Recipes that Use Thyme Tea

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Thyme tea is a versatile drink that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with other ingredients to create delicious and refreshing beverages. Here are a couple of drink recipes that you can experiment with:

Citrus Thyme Iced Tea:

This is a tangy and energizing iced tea that combines thyme tea, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, and honey. It’s a great way to stay hydrated and boost your vitamin C intake.

1. Boil 4 cups of water and pour over 1 Lipton Iced Tea Brew Family Size Tea Bag and 1 tsp of fresh thyme in a large pitcher. Let it steep for 5 minutes, then remove the bag and thyme.
2. Stir in 1 cup of orange juice, 3/4 cup of water, 2 tbsp of lemon juice, 2 tbsp of lime juice, and honey to taste. Chill until ready to serve.
3. Serve in ice-filled glasses and sweeten as desired.

Thyme Tea Latte:

This is a creamy and cozy drink that combines thyme tea, milk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. It’s a great alternative to coffee or chai latte, especially in the colder months.

1. Boil a pot of water and pour over 1 bag of black tea or 1 tsp of loose leaf tea and 1 tsp of fresh thyme in a mug. Let it steep for 5 minutes, then remove the loose leaf and thyme.
2. In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup of milk over medium heat until it reaches 150°F, or until tiny bubbles form around the edges. Do not boil the milk. You can use a thermometer to measure the temperature, or use your finger to test the heat.
3. Use a French press, a hand frother, or a whisk to froth the milk until it forms a thick foam. You can also use an electric milk frother if you have one.
4. Pour the frothed milk over the tea and stir in 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract and 1 tbsp of maple syrup. Enjoy your tea latte.

Conclusion

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Thyme tea is a wonderful drink that can offer you many benefits and pleasures. Whether you use fresh or dried thyme leaves, you can easily make it at home and enjoy the flavor and aroma. You can also experiment with different herbs, spices, and fruits to create your own thyme tea recipes. This simple tea can help you with your health, beauty, and mood, so don’t hesitate to drink it regularly and share it with your friends and family!

Discover More Tea-Related Articles:

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• How to Make Grapefruit Tea: A Delicious and Nutricious Drink
• Mixing Tea and Coffee: The Best Energy Boosting Recipes
• How to Make Iced Grape Tea With Green Tea
• How to Make Nigerian Zobo Tea: A Zesty Hibiscus Drink
• How to Make the Traditional Tea of Palestine – Shay bil Maramiya

Sources:

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• Thyme: 12 Health Benefits and More (healthline.com)
• 9 Amazing Health Benefits of Thyme Tea | Best Herbal Health
• Refreshing Citrus Thyme Iced Tea Recipe | Lipton
• Perfect Tea Latte (in 5 minutes!) – A Couple Cooks