Nettle tea is one of those comforting teas people crave when they’re not feeling well. What makes nettle tea different from all the other delicious teas you can drink when you’re under the weather is that it has a much more savory flavor rather than a fruity or sweet taste.
Whether you’ve been dabbling in the tea-drinking world for a little bit or are just starting your journey, nettle tea is one you’ll want to try and at least know more about. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about nettle tea.
Where Does Nettle Tea Come From?
Nettle tea is similar to other teas because it comes from a plant. This tea leaf comes from the stinging nettle or common nettle plant. While it’s safe to drink nettle tea, the stinging word comes from what happens if you handle the stinging nettle plant without gloves.
When you touch the stinging nettle plant with your skin exposed, you’ll feel a solid stinging sensation, but don’t worry. That doesn’t exist when you’re drinking the tea.
Stinging nettles grow in various areas around the world. They’re commonly found in North America, Europe, and then some areas of Australia, Africa, and South America. They mostly grow in meadows, ditches, mountainsides, and woodland clearings.
To avoid the stinging sensation, those harvesting nettle tea leaves only cut off the upper leaves to make delicious and earthy tea. Many people consume this tea when they’re dealing with urinary tract issues, but it’s not proven whether this helps or not. Either way, it helps soothe the body.
What Does It Taste Like?
Nettle tea has a unique flavor and isn’t one of those herbal teas that are naturally sweet, like lavender and peppermint. The best way to describe what nettle tea tastes is to think of vegetable broth. It’s earthy, tastes like veggies, and has a savory and somewhat bitter flavor.
How To Make Nettle Tea Taste Better
How to make nettle tea taste better will depend on your tastebuds. Most teas are made ten times better when you add sugar or another sweetener, but nettle tea isn’t one of those beverages. Here’s what others enjoy adding to nettle tea to improve the flavor.
Salt
Before you freak out, that says salt, it might sound weird, but since nettle tea has a more savory base flavor, adding sugar doesn’t sit well with most people. The opposite of sugar is salt! You don’t need much, but if you add a tiny pinch, you might find nettle tea more enjoyable.
If you’re thinking about adding salt to your nettle tea, only add a little. You can always add more, but you can’t remove it once you do. You won’t like the taste if you put too much salt in your nettle tea.
Cinnamon
Another thing you can add to nettle tea is cinnamon. It can bring a more robust flavor without adding sweetness to your nettle tea. We love adding cinnamon to different teas because of the subtle flavor and warmth it brings to the tea.
Ginger
Last but not least, ginger is a decent addition to nettle tea. It’s got a strong flavor that pairs well with earthy tastes, so some people find nettle tea more enjoyable with a little bit of ginger sprinkled in.
How To Brew Nettle Tea
If you’re interested in trying nettle tea, here’s everything you need to know about how to make this delicious beverage.
1. Gather Your Ingredients
Before making nettle tea, you need to grab everything you’ll need. This recipe makes a little over a cup of nettle tea, so you’ll need to do some math if you want to make more. What you’ll need to make a delicious batch of nettle tea includes:
- 10 ounces of water
- One teaspoon of dried nettle leaves
- Any additives you wish to add once the tea is made
2. Boil Your Water
You’ll then want to bring your water to a boil over high heat.
3. Remove the Pot From the Heat
Once your water has reached a rolling boil, remove the pot from the heat before proceeding.
4. Add the Nettle Leaves
You’ll want to use a tea strainer and seep the nettle leaves into the hot water. It’s best to leave the leaves in hot water for five to ten minutes, but not more of it will taste bitter than normal.
5. Remove the Leaves
Remove the leaves after ten minutes. This is when you’ll want to add in any sweeteners, spices, or other additives you wish. After that, you can pour your nettle tea into a cup and enjoy!
Caffeine Content in Nettle Tea
We love nettle tea because there’s no caffeine in the drink. You can drink nettle tea without worrying about being up all night or getting the shakes from too much caffeine.
How Many Carbs Does It Contain?
The carbohydrate content in nettle tea, it’s not bad. In one serving of nettle tea, there are only about 6.7 grams of carbs. Remember, this can vary depending on how it’s made and the manufacturer.
How Many Calories Does It Contain?
Nettle tea is very low in calories, making it a great choice for those on a weight loss journey or who love drinking tea but drink a lot of it. The calories in nettle tea will vary depending on how you make it and the brand you use, but generally, there are only 37 calories in a serving of this tea.
How Long Does Nettle Tea Last?
Once you brew a fresh batch of nettle tea, you can expect the beverage to last for around three days in your fridge. This varies, but it’s safe to assume that after three days, you might want to dump the tea and start over if you still have some left.
Final Thoughts
Nettle tea isn’t your normal herbal tea. It has a much more earthy flavor than others which can be repulsive to some, but if you can find a way to make it how you like, then you’ll be drinking it constantly. With no caffeine and being low in calories, it’s no wonder tea enthusiasts love nettle tea.
