What Does Chamomile Tea Taste Like? Brewing and What Studies Say
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If you have never had a cup, here is the short answer to what does chamomile tea taste like: gently sweet and floral, with notes of honey, baked apple and dry hay, and almost no bitterness when it is brewed well. It is soft rather than bold, which is exactly why so many people drink it at the end of the day.
This guide covers the flavor in more detail, how to brew chamomile so it tastes rich instead of dusty, what research actually says about sleep and anxiety, and the safety points worth knowing before you make it a nightly habit.
Key takeaways
- Chamomile tastes floral, honeyed and apple-like, with a light body and little bitterness.
- Brew with boiling water and steep longer than true tea, about 5 to 10 minutes, with a lid on.
- It is naturally caffeine-free because it is an herbal infusion, not tea from Camellia sinensis.
- Evidence for sleep benefits is very limited; preliminary studies on anxiety used supplements, not tea.
- People allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigolds or chrysanthemums, and anyone on medication, should check with a professional.
In this article
- What does chamomile tea taste like?
- German vs Roman chamomile
- How to brew chamomile tea
- What studies say
- Safety and side effects
- FAQ
What does chamomile tea taste like?
Chamomile flowers look like tiny daisies, and the tea made from them tastes much gentler than most people expect. The main notes are:
- Honey: a natural, rounded sweetness, even without sugar.
- Apple: fresh flowers often smell like green or baked apple.
- Hay and straw: a warm, dry, slightly grassy background.
- Floral: soft and clean, not perfumey.
The body is light and smooth. A good cup has a golden-yellow color. If your chamomile tastes flat, papery or dusty, the most common causes are old flowers, finely crushed tea-bag material or a steep that was too short.
How quality changes the taste
| Form | What you taste |
|---|---|
| Whole dried flower heads | Fullest honey and apple notes, bright golden cup |
| Loose-leaf blends | Chamomile plus partner flavors such as ginger, lemon or mint |
| Fine-cut tea bags | Thinner, sometimes dusty or slightly bitter |
| Old or stale flowers | Muted, hay-only, little sweetness |
Flavor pairings
Chamomile’s soft profile makes it a good base. Lemon or lemon myrtle brightens it, ginger adds warmth, honey doubles down on its natural sweetness, and a little vanilla or warm milk turns it into a dessert-like evening drink.
German vs Roman chamomile
Two plants are sold as chamomile. German chamomile (Matricaria recutita, also listed as Matricaria chamomilla) is the type the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) focuses on in its fact sheet. Roman chamomile is a different plant. If you want to know which one you are buying, look for the botanical name on the label.
How to brew chamomile tea
Unlike green or white tea, chamomile does not turn bitter in hot water quickly, so you can use boiling water and a long steep to pull out its full flavor.
| Step | Loose flowers or blend | Tea bag |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per 12 oz (350 ml) | About 2 g (1 heaped tablespoon of whole flowers) | 1 to 2 bags |
| Water | 212°F (100°C), freshly boiled | 212°F (100°C) |
| Steep | 5 to 10 minutes, covered | 5 minutes, covered |
| Finish | Strain; add honey or lemon if you like | Press the bag gently |
- Put the flowers in an infuser or teapot.
- Pour over freshly boiled water.
- Cover the cup or pot with a saucer. This keeps the aromatic oils in your tea instead of the air.
- Steep at least 5 minutes. Go up to 10 for a richer, sweeter cup.
- Strain and drink as is, or add honey, lemon or warm milk.
Iced chamomile
Brew double strength (about 4 g per 12 oz), steep 10 minutes, then pour over a full glass of ice. Add a squeeze of lemon and a few mint leaves.
Chamomile latte
Steep 2 to 3 g of chamomile in 4 oz (120 ml) of boiling water for 7 minutes, strain, and top with 6 oz (180 ml) of warm frothed milk. A drop of vanilla and a teaspoon of honey make it a cozy bedtime drink. Oat milk works well for a dairy-free version.
What studies say about chamomile
Chamomile has a long reputation as a calming drink, but the scientific evidence is thinner than the reputation. Here is how NCCIH summarizes it.
| Use | What the research shows |
|---|---|
| Sleep and insomnia | Very limited evidence. A 2019 review found only one insomnia study, and it showed no benefit. |
| Anxiety | Preliminary studies suggest a chamomile dietary supplement might help generalized anxiety disorder. These used supplements, not tea. |
| Infant colic and childhood diarrhea | Products combining chamomile with other herbs may help; chamomile alone has not been shown to. |
| Other conditions | Not enough reliable evidence to rate its usefulness. |
So why do so many people find it relaxing? Part of the answer is simple: a warm, caffeine-free drink and a few quiet minutes are a pleasant wind-down routine. Swapping a late coffee for a caffeine-free cup also removes a known sleep disruptor. Our article on caffeine and sleep explains how long caffeine can linger in the evening.
Safety and side effects
For most people, a cup of chamomile tea is an ordinary drink. NCCIH flags a few situations that call for care:
- Allergies: people allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies are more likely to react to chamomile, and severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported.
- Medications: interactions with warfarin and some drugs processed by the liver have been reported, and interactions with sedatives are theoretically possible. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you take any medication.
- Hormones: preliminary studies suggest chamomile may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills and could worsen estrogen-sensitive conditions.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: little is known about safety, so talk to your doctor or midwife first.
Our chamomile blend
Our Chamomile Ginger herbal tea pairs organic chamomile with organic ginger root and lemon myrtle for a soft floral cup with a warming edge and a clean lemon finish. It is caffeine-free, brewed at 2 g per 12 oz cup with boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. If you want another caffeine-free evening option, Peach Paradise brings peach, cranberry and rose. Find both in our tea collection.
Chamomile tea FAQ
Does chamomile tea have caffeine?
No. Chamomile is an herbal infusion made from flowers, not from the tea plant, so it is naturally caffeine-free.
Why does my chamomile tea taste bitter?
Usually because of finely cut tea-bag material or very old flowers. Whole flowers steeped 5 to 10 minutes taste sweet, not bitter.
Is chamomile tea sweet?
It has a natural honey-like sweetness but contains no sugar. Many people drink it without adding anything.
Can you drink chamomile tea every day?
Many people do. If you have allergies to related plants, take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with a health professional first.
Sources
- Chamomile: Usefulness and Safety. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH), last updated November 2024. nccih.nih.gov
Facts checked in October 2026.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or take medication, ask your doctor before changing your caffeine intake.
Keep reading: Caffeine and Sleep · Coffee vs Tea Caffeine · Tea