How to Make Bay Leaf Tea

Bay leaf tea is an herbal tea made from the leaves of the bay laurel tree. It’s a popular choice for those looking for a soothing and relaxing tea. It is also known to have many health benefits. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how to make bay leaf tea and see what makes it so special and how to make a cup at home!

What is Bay Leaf Tea?

Bay leaf tea is an herbal tea made from the fresh or dried leaves of the Laurus nobilis or bay laurel tree. Hot water is poured over the leaves and allowed to steep for several minutes allowing the flavors and aroma to be released. The leaves are then removed leaving a warm beverage to enjoy. Many like this tea on its own, but some prefer to blend it with cinnamon, add a lemon slice, or even a splash of milk after steeping. This tea, like most herbal teas, contains a long list of vitamins and health benefits.

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What are Bay Leaves?

The sweet bay tree is a small evergreen tree native to the Meditrainian region. Its leaves are full of flavor and aromatic making it a popular cooking spice for a wide variety of cuisines.

Interesting to note that there is another type of bay leaf called the California Bay (Umbellularia californica). In this post, we are discussing the Sweet Bay Tree leaves, Laurus nobilis.

There are many types of look-alike trees so if you planning to forage and harvest your own, be sure to correctly identify the tree.

Bay leaves can be used fresh or dried. They have a long shelf life making them perfect for drying and long-term storage.

This leaf may be more familiar as a seasoning and it is a popular flavoring for savory dishes such as stews and roasts. Its leaves not only have a wonderful flavor but also scent! But what might not be as well known is that bay leaves make a wonderful tea.

What Does Bay Leaf Tea Taste Like?

This tea tastes rather savory to me. It has a woody and slightly minty taste with subtle notes of citrus. Some people also describe the taste as being similar to that of rosemary or thyme. The flavor of the tea can also vary depending on how long the leaves are steeped. You can also add a cinnamon stick when steeping your tea to add more spice and more nutritional value.

Ingredients

The ingredients in this tea are simple! There are only two main ingredients although you may choose to add more. See the Recipe Notes below for more tips and ideas!

• Bay Leaves – You can use whole bay leaves that are purchased from the store! I always recommend choosing whole organic leaves. Not only do they contain the best flavor, but they are extremely simple to strain out once your tea has finished steeping. If fresh bay leaves are not available, you can also make this tea using dried leaves, as I have.
• Water – Use fresh filtered water for a pure and aromatic tea.

How to Make Bay Leaf Tea

• Heat Water – Start by heating your water to boiling. I like to use an electric kettle.
• Add Tea Leaves – Add 1-2 Bay leaves per cup of water.
• Steep – Steep the leaves in water for 5 minutes.
• Strain Out Bay Leaves – Remove the leaves and enjoy your tea! 

Bay Leaf Tea Recipe

Kitchen Tools

• Kettle
• Tea Cup

Ingredients

• Whole Bay Leaves
• Water
• Cinnamon Stick (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Add leaves to your teapot or cup.
3. Pour water over the tea.
4. Steep for 5 minutes. (more or less time may be used as desired.)
5. Strain out leaves.
6. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

• Use good-tasting water for the best-tasting tea!
• Many people also like to add a bit of cinnamon to this tea. Use a cinnamon stick and steep with bay leaves for 5 minutes. Remove before serving.
• As with most herbal teas, you can steep a bit longer for a stronger tea, or steep for less time for a weaker tea.

Bay Leaf Tea Benefits

There are many potential health benefits associated with drinking bay leaf tea. Some of these benefits may include: 

• Soothing stomach issues such as indigestion, nausea, and heartburn 
• Reducing inflammation 
• Relieving pain 
• Improving cognitive function 
• Boosting immunity 
• Alleviating stress and anxiety 

Read more here.

Bay Leaf Tea for Sleep

If you are looking for a soothing and relaxing tea, then bay leaf tea might be a good choice. Some choose to drink this tea to help them get a good night’s sleep. The calming effects of bay leaf tea are said to help ease anxiety and tension, and the tea’s natural properties can help to promote sleep. If you’re struggling with insomnia, try drinking a cup of bay leaf tea before bedtime. 

Bay Leaf Tea Side Effects

While bay leaf tea is generally safe for most people, there are a few potential side effects to be aware of. Bay leaves can contain compounds that can irritate the stomach lining, so it’s best to drink bay leaf tea in moderation if you have a sensitive stomach. Also be aware that bay leaf tea can also interfere with certain medications, so be sure to talk to your doctor before drinking it if you’re on any medications. 

Let’s brew some tea…

Bay leaf tea is an herbal tea made from the dried leaves of the Laurus nobilis tree. It’s a popular choice for those looking for a soothing and relaxing tea, as it’s known to have many health benefits. It is packed with antioxidants and other compounds that offer impressive health benefits, including improved digestion, boosted immunity, and reduced inflammation. This tea may also help ease insomnia. 

For most people, bay leaf tea is generally safe to drink, but those with a sensitive stomach may want to drink it in moderation. Bay leaf tea can also interfere with certain medications, so be sure to talk to your doctor before drinking it. 

More Herbal Tea Recipes You Will Love!

• Pine Needle Tea
• Rosehip Tea
• Lavender Tea
• Chamomile Tea
• Violet Tea
• Lilac Tea
• Oregano Tea

Have you ever tried bay leaf tea? What did you think of it? Let us know in the comments below!

 If you try this recipe, please come back and leave a review!