Teas must be prepared correctly so that both their flavor and properties are not altered. Plants can, depending on how they are treated including for sale, lose all their properties and health benefits.

According to André Gonzaga dos Santos, professor at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of the State of São Paulo (Unesp), “It is important to highlight that the beneficial or undesirable effects of teas depend on the proper indication, method of preparation, dosage, use of the correct plant (It is very common to use plants that were not correctly identified) and even the way the plant was cultivated and harvested”.

How to properly enjoy the benefits of plants?

The first rule for the benefits to be correctly used is, without a doubt, to be sure of what you are getting. Some plants are very similar to others that do not have the benefits or are mishandled.

After that, it is important to be aware of the need for the correct preparation, which can be through infusion and decoction, which we will explain below. Also, it is important to pay attention to the cooking time.

Decoction or infusion?

It is quite common to find questions and confusion about the differences between these two ways of preparing teas. To clear up the doubts, let’s clearly explain what the correct method of preparation is in each of these cases. Check out.

  • Decoction: The decoction process involves boiling the used parts of the plant along with water for just a few minutes. This technique is applied to teas that use bark, stem pieces or roots, as these are harder and need a more rigorous method to extract the compounds. Each of the plants, however, has a specific preparation method that must be followed. Usually in tea houses they have each of the explanations.
  • Infusion: Infusion is the preparation process that is done with boiling water. Place the plant in a container and pour the hot water over it. It is necessary to cover and let the mixture rest for a few minutes. After that it strains. This method of preparation is quite common for teas that use ground leaves, flowers and fruits.

There is also the possibility of finding plant extracts that are produced in laboratories and that are sold in the form of dry extract or tincture. Both forms are more concentrated than the tea itself, so you should follow the recommended form of consumption for this specific type.