Verbena Tea Bags: Brewing Tips and What to Expect
By Newby Teas: Buy Luxury Teas, Tea Gifts and Teaware | Published: 2026-11-05
Category: Tips og stell
A citrusy tisane can taste dull or bitter if you treat it like black tea. Learn how to brew verbena tea bags, fix common problems, and know when to stop.
Quick answer
Brew verbena tea bags in freshly boiled water that has cooled for about a minute, then steep for 5 to 7 minutes. If the cup tastes bitter, shorten the steep; if it tastes thin, lengthen it slightly and check that your water is hot enough.
Why verbena behaves differently from black or green tea
Verbena is an herbal tisane, not a true tea, so it has no tannins from Camellia sinensis leaves. That means it rarely turns harsh the way an oversteeped black tea can, but it can still taste dull or woody if the water is not hot enough or if the bag sits too long after the cup is ready.
Newby’s Verbena is made from the long leaves of premium plants and nothing else, so the flavour comes entirely from the herb. Expect a citrusy aroma and a mild verdant taste rather than a strong lemon candy note.
The one mistake that flattens the cup
The most common problem is brewing with water that has stopped boiling before it hits the bag. Verbena’s oils need heat to open up, so lukewarm water leaves you with a pale, vaguely grassy cup. Boil fresh water, pour it into your mug, wait about a minute, then add the bag. That brief rest keeps the water hot without scalding the delicate leaf.
Troubleshooting your verbena cup
- The tea tastes bitter or drying: This usually means the bag steeped too long or the water was too hot for too long. Pull the bag out at 5 minutes and let the water cool for a full minute after boiling before pouring. If bitterness persists, try 4 minutes. Stop adjusting once the cup tastes clean and citrusy; further shortening may make it weak.
- The tea tastes thin or watery: The likely cause is water that was not hot enough or a cup that was too large for one bag. Use freshly boiled water, cover the mug while steeping to keep the heat in, and steep for the full 7 minutes. If you routinely make a 12-ounce mug, use two bags. If two bags still give a thin cup, the issue is your water temperature, not the amount of tea.
- The aroma is muted but the taste is fine: Verbena’s citrus scent fades quickly after brewing. Pour and drink within 10 minutes, and avoid leaving the bag in a cup that sits on a warmer. For iced verbena, brew a double-strength concentrate, remove the bags, then chill quickly. Aroma is a freshness signal; if it disappears entirely, check that your tea bags are stored in an airtight container away from light.
- You want a stronger lemon note: Verbena is naturally mild, so adding lemon juice or zest will change the cup more than extra steeping will. If you want a bold citrus tisane, choose a blend that includes lemongrass or lemon peel rather than oversteeping this one. Know when to stop: if you have tried 7 minutes with hot water and still want more intensity, switch to a different blend instead of steeping longer.
Product facts
- Verbena - 25 Tea Bags: Verbena - 25 Tea Bags contains only the long leaves of premium verbena plants, with no other ingredients. Because there are no added flavourings or sweeteners, the steeping time and water temperature have a direct effect on the citrus aroma and mild verdant taste.
Verbena - 25 Tea Bags
