Should you cover herbal tea while it steeps?

Yes — especially when your herbal blend contains aromatic herbs.

Covering your cup or teapot while herbal tea steeps helps trap the steam and reduce the loss of volatile aromatic compounds, including some of the compounds responsible for a plant's characteristic aroma and flavour.

This is particularly useful with aromatic herbs such as peppermint, lemon balm, lavender, rosemary and other plants rich in volatile oils.

It is a small step, but it is one I recommend whenever you're making an aromatic herbal infusion.

And there is another reason I love it:

The tea is going to take a few minutes anyway. You might as well let those minutes become part of the ritual.

What happens when you leave herbal tea uncovered?

When you pour hot water over herbs, some of the plant's aromatic compounds can move into the steam.

That's why you can sometimes smell a herbal tea strongly while it is brewing, only to find that the finished cup seems less aromatic.

Volatile compounds are, by definition, compounds that readily evaporate. Heat and steam can carry some of them away from the infusion.

Covering the cup doesn't magically lock everything inside, and it doesn't guarantee that every volatile compound will remain in the tea. It simply reduces the opportunity for those aromatic compounds to escape with the steam.

This is one reason covered steeping is a traditional practice in herbal tea preparation.

The European Medicines Agency distinguishes infusions from decoctions and notes that infusion is generally appropriate for leaves, flowers and other delicate plant parts, with a typical steeping period of around 5–15 minutes when no other instructions are specified. The EMA also notes that decoction is generally not appropriate for herbal substances containing volatile active constituents.

Why are volatile compounds important?

Volatile compounds contribute significantly to the aroma and sensory character of many herbs.

Think about the difference between opening a jar of dried peppermint and smelling nothing, versus crushing fresh peppermint between your fingers.

That unmistakable scent comes from aromatic compounds within the plant.

Many herbs used in teas contain volatile oils, including:

• Peppermint
• Lemon balm
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Chamomile
• Holy basil (tulsi)
• Thyme

For an aromatic herbal blend, these compounds are part of what makes the finished cup smell and taste like the plant you started with.

Covering your tea while it steeps helps keep more of that aromatic steam within the brewing vessel.

So if you've ever lifted the lid from a teapot and been greeted by a beautiful burst of herbal fragrance, that's part of the experience you're preserving.

When does covering your herbal tea matter most?

🌿 Aromatic leaves and flowers

This is where I think the covered steep makes the biggest difference.

If your blend contains strongly aromatic plants such as peppermint, lemon balm, lavender or rosemary, I'd make covering the cup part of your normal brewing routine.

The same principle applies to blends containing aromatic flowers.

🌱 More robust herbs

Covering is still perfectly fine for blends containing less aromatic plant material, but the benefit may be less noticeable from a sensory perspective.

Roots, barks and tougher plant parts are often prepared differently, depending on the herb.

For example, some roots and barks are better suited to a decoction — where the plant material is gently simmered rather than simply steeped.

That's why it's always worth following the preparation instructions for the specific blend you're using.

There isn't one perfect brewing method for every plant.

How to make a covered herbal infusion

The good news is that you don't need any special equipment.

You need:

• Your herbal tea
• A mug or teapot with a lid
• Freshly boiled water, unless your particular blend says otherwise
• A strainer or infuser
• A few uninterrupted minutes

1. Measure your herbs

Use the amount recommended on your tea's packaging.

If you're making a loose herbal blend, give the herbs enough room to expand in the water rather than packing them tightly into a small infuser.

2. Pour over the hot water

Pour the water directly over the herbs so that they're fully immersed.

For herbal medicinal infusions, the EMA describes preparation using boiling water and a typical infusion period of 5–15 minutes when no other instructions are specified.

For your particular tea, however, follow the preparation instructions supplied with the blend.

3. Cover immediately

Place a lid over your mug or teapot.

Don't have a lid?

A small saucer works perfectly well.

The idea is simply to keep the steam contained while your tea infuses.

4. Let it steep

Give your herbs the time recommended for the blend.

This might be five minutes for a lighter everyday cup or longer for a more substantial herbal infusion.

For example, my Nerve Nectar is designed to steep covered for 10–15 minutes.

5. Uncover, strain and enjoy

Before you strain your tea, take a moment to notice the aroma.

Then remove the herbs and enjoy your cup while it's warm.

5 common herbal tea steeping mistakes

1. Leaving aromatic tea uncovered

This is the easiest one to fix.

If your blend contains aromatic herbs, put a lid or saucer over the cup while it steeps.

2. Steeping for too little time

A quick two-minute steep might be perfectly pleasant for some teas, but herbal infusions often benefit from more time.

The EMA's general guidance for herbal infusions is around 5–15 minutes, unless otherwise specified.

Your blend's own instructions should always take priority.

3. Packing the herbs into a tiny infuser

Dried herbs expand when they come into contact with water.

If they're tightly compressed, the water can't circulate around them as easily.

A roomy basket infuser or teapot gives loose herbs more space to open and infuse.

4. Assuming stronger always means better

Longer isn't automatically better.

More time can produce a stronger cup, but it can also bring out more bitter or astringent flavours depending on the plants you're using.

If your tea tastes harsh, try adjusting the amount of herb or steeping time rather than simply leaving it for longer.

5. Forgetting that the tea itself can be the ritual

This one might be my favourite.

It's easy to think:

I'll make tea once I've finished everything else.

But there's rarely a point when everything else is finished.

Instead, let the tea become the pause.

The kettle is already boiling.

The herbs are already steeping.

You already have five or ten minutes.

You don't need to add another wellness practice to your day.

You can simply let the tea take its time.

Try the covered steep tonight

Choose one of your favourite herbal blends.

Put the herbs in your mug or teapot.

Pour over the hot water.

Cover it.

Then leave it alone while it steeps.

Put your phone down if you can.

Look out the window.

Tidy the kitchen.

Sit at the table.

Or do absolutely nothing.

When the tea is ready, lift the lid and take a moment to notice the aroma before you take your first sip.

That's the part I love about herbal tea.

The preparation itself can become a small ritual of attention.

A simple covered-steep ritual

Measure.
Choose your blend and prepare the recommended amount.

Pour.
Add your hot water.

Cover.
Let the herbs steep beneath the lid.

Wait.
Give the infusion the time it needs.

Notice.
Lift the lid and take in the aroma.

Sip.
Enjoy your tea without immediately moving on to the next thing.

Five minutes can be enough to change the feeling of an evening.

Explore Alchemilla's herbal teas

If you're ready to make the covered steep part of your own tea ritual, explore the Alchemilla Herbcraft herbal tea range and find a blend for your next cup.

For an evening-focused ritual, Nerve Nectar is a loose-leaf nervine blend designed to be steeped covered for 10–15 minutes. 

A note on herbal tea preparation

Herbal teas vary considerably depending on the plants and plant parts used. Always follow the preparation and safety instructions provided with your specific blend. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition, check with an appropriate healthcare professional before using medicinal herbal preparations.

Sources & further reading

[1] European Medicines Agency. Patient Leaflet Template Concerning Advice on the Preparation of Herbal Teas as (Traditional) Herbal Medicinal Products by End-Users. The guidance defines herbal teas and infusions and discusses typical preparation methods and infusion times. European Medicines Agency — Herbal Tea Preparation Guidance

[2] European Medicines Agency. Menthae piperitae folium — Peppermint leaf. The EMA's monograph provides information on peppermint leaf preparations and their traditional use. European Medicines Agency — Peppermint Leaf

[3] Alchemilla Herbcraft. Nerve Nectar | Restorative Nervine Tea. Product preparation instructions recommend covering the tea while steeping for 10–15 minutes. Nerve Nectar — Alchemilla Herbcraft

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