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Drinks & liquids · Herbal teas

Chamomile

Dried chamomile flowers or tea bags, steeped into a mild, apple-scented caffeine-free herbal tea.

Also called: chamomile tea, camomile, papatya

1 recipe with it

What it is

The small, daisy-like dried flower heads of chamomile (usually German chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla). Steeped in hot water, they make a pale golden, honeyed infusion. It contains no tea leaves and no caffeine. Also used to infuse syrups, custards and cocktails.

Matricaria chamomilla

How it’s used

  • Brewing herbal tea
  • Infusing custards, panna cotta and ice cream
  • Syrups for cakes and cocktails
  • Turkish papatya çayı and evening drinks

Characteristics

Taste
Mild, floral and honey-like.
Aroma
Apple-like and floral.
Appearance
Small dried yellow-centred flowers; brews pale gold.
Sold as
dried
Cooking uses
Suitable for boiling

Storage

Cool, dry and dark. Airtight, away from light and moisture; aroma fades over months.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions.

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free
  • Egg-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Caffeine-free
  • Caffeine-free. People allergic to ragweed, daisies or related plants may react to chamomile.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy
1 kcal
Protein
0 g
Carbohydrate
0.2 g
Fat
0 g
Fibre
0 g
Sugars
0 g

USDA FoodData Central: Beverages, tea, herb, brewed, chamomile.

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

Related ingredients

Recipes with chamomile

More herbal teas