Herbs and Teas

Herbs can be added in two ways. They can be added to a hot (not quite boiling) liquid and left to steep for no more than 8 to 10 minutes. This is recommended for sturdy herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. For teas, such as Earl Gray or jasmine, it is especially important to keep an eye on steeping time and on the temperature of the liquid. Excessive steeping time and high temperatures will produce an unpleasantly bitter flavor. For more delicate herbs, such as basil, mint, and lemon verbena, steeping time is reduced to 2 minutes in a liquid that is no hotter than 77°C / 170°F. Any hotter and the flavor will turn bitter.