What is a tisane?
Herbal teas, also known as tisanes are infusions made from botanicals - think flowers, herbs, roots and spices, not from the Camellia sinensis plant. This means they’re naturally caffeine-free, making herbal teas ideal for all-day sipping, especially when you’re looking for something soothing, flavourful and gentle on the body.
Tisanes can be made from almost any part of a plant: the flowers (chamomile, rose), the leaves (peppermint, spearmint, lemon verbena), the roots (ginger, liquorice), or the fruit. Each brings entirely different flavour compounds. A chamomile tisane tastes nothing like a peppermint one, which tastes nothing like a lemongrass and ginger blend. The range is genuinely diverse.
T2's herbal and floral collection spans perfectly pure single botanicals, layered wellness blends, and imaginative floral creations. All caffeine-free. All worth exploring.
How to brew a tisane
Unlike green tea, most tisanes benefit from fully boiling water and a longer steep. The botanical material needs time and heat to release its full flavour.
Use water at 100°C (212°F) for all herbal and floral tisanes. For loose-leaf, use 1–2 teaspoons per 250ml cup. Steep for 5–7 minutes. Tisanes are generally more forgiving than tea — a little extra time deepens the flavour rather than introducing bitterness.
For tea bags, steep one bag per 250ml for 5–7 minutes and press the bag gently before removing to extract the full flavour from the botanicals inside.
Most tisanes are best drunk without milk. Peppermint, chamomile, lemongrass and ginger, and the floral blends all come forward more clearly without it. The exception is if you're using a tisane as a latte base, in which case oat or almond milk works beautifully.
Sweeten with honey if needed, particularly for ginger and lemongrass blends where a touch of sweetness brings everything into balance.
FAQ
Are herbal tisanes caffeine-free?
Yes. Because tisanes are made entirely from plant material other than Camellia sinensis (the tea plant), they contain no caffeine by default. This makes them a natural choice for evenings, for those who are caffeine-sensitive, or for anyone who wants a warm drink at any time of day without the stimulant effect.
Which herbal tisanes are best for sleep?
Sleep Tight and Sweetest Dreams are T2's most popular evening options. Sleep Tight contains chamomile, lavender, and lemon myrtle — botanicals with a long tradition of use in calming night-time routines. Sweetest Dreams is floral and candy-sweet, a lighter and more playful evening cup. Just Chamomile is the simplest and most traditional choice for a pre-bed drink.
What is the difference between peppermint and spearmint?
Peppermint has a high menthol content, giving it a cool, sharp, intensely minty flavour. Spearmint is milder and slightly sweeter, with a softer mint character and lower menthol levels.
What is the best herbal tisane for digestion?
Tummy Tea is T2's dedicated digestive blend, built around peppermint with a smooth, mildly sweet character. Peppermint and ginger are both botanicals with a long history of use as digestive companions: Just Peppermint and Just Ginger are the pure versions, and Lemongrass and Ginger is a good option if you want more complexity alongside the ginger warmth.
Can you drink herbal tisanes hot and cold?
Yes. Most herbal and floral tisanes work well both hot and cold-brewed. For iced tisanes, cold brew by steeping in cold water in the fridge for 6–8 hours, or brew hot at double strength and pour over ice. Peppermint, lemongrass and ginger, and hibiscus-based blends are particularly good cold.
