Tea or Infusion: How to tell the difference?

Both beverages are created by steeping plants in hot water for a specific duration. However, the primary distinction lies in the source material. Tea specifically refers to beverages derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant, commonly known as the tea plant. The varied processing methods, including foraging and drying, yield a spectrum of teas categorized as black tea, green tea, white tea, and oolong tea, each with its own unique flavor profiles.

The Camelia Sinensis plant contains theine, which is chemically identical to caffeine, but is referred to differently due to its association with tea. The theine content varies depending on the type of tea. For a standard cup (240ml), the approximate theine content is as follows (bearing in mind that these values may fluctuate based on tea variety and brewing technique):

For comparison, yerba mate contains 30-50 milligrams of caffeine per cup (240ml), while coffee contains 95 milligrams. Additionally, it's worth noting the differences between Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, although for now, we'll maintain our focus on tea.

Conversely, infusions can comprise a wide array of plant materials such as herbs, fruits, flowers, spices, and botanicals. Generally, these plants do not contain caffeine/theine unless naturally present, as is the case with yerba mate.

Regarding flavours extraction methods, both tea and infusions can be achieved by steeping the plant material in hot or cold water for a specified duration. However, other techniques, such as decoction, may be employed for infusions, particularly with roots or tree barks where flavour/properties extraction can prove more challenging.

In conclusion, tea denotes a beverage crafted from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, while an infusion encompasses any other plant material.

Infusion - Lullaby Linden, camomila, hipericão-do-Gêres, dried lemon peel	Infusion - Take it easy Lemon verbena, sage, bay leaf, orange leaf, orange peel & lavender.
Tea - Luz Dulce White tea Pai Mu Than, lemon balm, dried persimmon, mango	Tea - Mind Tonic Yerba mate, rosemary, cardamom, moringa & dried apple