How to Brew West African Herbal Teas: Hot, Iced, and Naturally Simple
West African herbal teas are wonderfully simple to prepare. You do not need special equipment or complicated techniques—just good water, the right amount of herb, and enough time for the flavor to open.
Start with the ingredient
Different botanicals behave differently in water. Leafy herbs such as Sehhaw and Savanna Mint are usually steeped like tea. Hibiscus calyces can be infused hot and then chilled. Baobab powder is different again: it is mixed directly into liquid rather than steeped.
Sehhaw
Use about one teaspoon of dried Sehhaw per 8-ounce cup. Add hot water and steep for roughly five to seven minutes. The liquor should be golden to green-brown with an earthy, smooth flavor. For a stronger cup, use more leaf instead of steeping far longer.
Savanna Mint
Use one teaspoon per cup and steep five to seven minutes. Savanna Mint is aromatic and naturally caffeine-free, so it is especially pleasant as an evening infusion or blended with Sehhaw.
Hibiscus
For hot hibiscus, use about one to two teaspoons of dried calyces per cup and steep five to ten minutes. For iced tea, brew a little stronger, strain, cool, and pour over ice. Add mint, citrus, ginger, or a touch of sweetener if you like.
Baobab
Baobab does not need hot water. Stir or whisk the powder into cold water, milk, or plant milk until smooth. It also works beautifully in smoothies. If you are using baobab fruit with seeds, soak the fruit in water, work the pulp away from the seeds, then strain.
Three easy ways to make iced herbal tea better
1. Brew stronger, not longer. Ice dilutes flavor, so use a little extra herb.
2. Cool before adding ice. This keeps the drink from becoming watery too quickly.
3. Add fresh ingredients last. Mint, citrus wheels, ginger and fruit look and taste brighter when added after brewing.
Do you need sugar?
No. We recommend tasting the infusion first. Many West African drinks are traditionally sweetened, but modern tea drinkers may prefer them unsweetened or lightly sweetened. Honey, cane sugar, agave or your preferred sweetener can all be added to taste.
The best brewing rule
There is no single perfect cup. Start with these guidelines, then adjust the amount of herb, water and steeping time until the flavor feels right to you.
Explore: Herbal Teas, Botanical Blends, and Tea Infusers.
