Lemon Myrtle Tea: Benefits, Taste & How to Brew

Lemon myrtle tea comes from a unique plant native to Australia, and is identifiable by its distinct citrus aroma. As interest in native Australian ingredients grows, organic lemon myrtle tea is a great option for the health and wellness-conscious.

In this guide, we’ll go through what lemon myrtle tea is, how to prepare it, and how to source the best quality lemon myrtle tea you can find in Australia.

What Is Lemon Myrtle Tea?

Lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) is an Australian shrub found in the subtropical rainforests of central and southern Queensland, as well as northern New South Wales. It is a flowering shrub with leaves that have a distinct lemon scent. Indigenous Australians have used lemon myrtle leaves to flavour food, treat wounds and relieve headaches for the past 40,000 years, with wide-scale harvesting by European settlers beginning in the early 20th century.

What makes lemon myrtle different from other lemon-scented herbs (such as lemongrass, lemon verbena and lemon balm) is its flavour. Its 90% citral content makes it taste more lemon-like than lemongrass and even lemons themselves, with a bolder and more distinct flavour. Lemon myrtle also tastes less acidic than lemons and other alternatives, and can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes in normal and dried leaf form. You can even use lemon myrtle leaf powder in recipes for various sauces, spices and other applications, both in wet and dry mixes.

The Unique Benefits of Australian Lemon Myrtle Tea

Lemon myrtle tea has a high citral content at 90%, beating out lemongrass. This high citral content means that lemon myrtle tea is rich in antioxidants, and its antimicrobial properties make it a powerful component in boosting oral health and fighting infections. It’s also an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory herb, which helps combat sinus problems, sore throats and digestive issues. As an additional benefit, lemon myrtle tea is caffeine-free, so you can drink it at any time of the day without worrying about disrupted sleep.

How to Brew Perfect Lemon Myrtle Tea

Brewing lemon myrtle tea is a simple process, and can be easily tweaked to suit your tea strength preferences:

1. Add one teaspoon of lemon myrtle tea leaves per cup of tea you wish to drink to your tea infuser
2. Using a temperature-controlled kettle, heat your water to 95 degrees Celsius
3. Pour your hot water into your tea cup or pot, and steep for 4-7 minutes
4. Remove your tea leaves and enjoy your tea. For a stronger flavour, use more tea leaves or steep for longer. If you prefer a milder flavour, reduce your steeping time.

Lemon myrtle tea pairs well with breakfast foods, such as pastries and fruit salads, and can be particularly refreshing when drunk alongside fish dishes. You can also enjoy lemon myrtle tea blended with other ingredients, such as licorice and peppermint.

To retain the strength and freshness of your lemon myrtle tea, store leaves in an airtight container, and keep them in a cool, dark place away from sunlight, moisture and other products with strong odours.

Quality Matters: Choosing Premium Organic Lemon Myrtle

When looking for high-quality lemon myrtle tea, it’s important to purchase tea that contains 100% lemon myrtle leaves, without any preservatives or additives. To ensure this, always look for the Australian Certified Organic (ACO) logo. This means that your tea is free from human-made pesticides, fertilisers, growth regulators, and genetically modified organisms. ACO’s standards are approved by the Department of Agriculture & Water Resources, making ACO-certified products in line with national and international organic standards. With such products, you can be assured of purity and safety at every stage of production.

Buying Australia-sourced lemon myrtle tea means you’ll be supporting Australian jobs and produce, as well as receiving a fresher, more flavourful product. As lemon myrtle is native to Australia, buying Australian-sourced lemon myrtle tea also means that it’s harvested and processed the right way, preserving the tea’s quality.

Traditionally, no more than a third of a lemon myrtle plant’s leaves are harvested at any one time to remain sustainable. And, when it comes to processing lemon myrtle leaves, all they need is to be washed in clean water to remove any dirt or bugs, and then dried on a drying rack away from sunlight. They are then dried in a dehumidifier to retain their quality.

When purchasing your tea, the size of the pack can have an impact on its freshness and usage. Smaller, single-use packs are good for those who have one cup of tea at a time, while large packs of tea leaves are beneficial for frequent drinkers who have multiple cups or pots of tea regularly. Larger packs and quantities are also more cost-effective for those who drink lots of tea.

Lemon Myrtle Tea in Your Daily Wellness Routine

Lemon myrtle tea can be drunk year-round at any time of the day, and goes well with pastries, seafood and even some egg dishes. You can even add lemon myrtle leaves to various dishes in place of lemongrass for an extra bit of citrus flavour.

Lemon myrtle tea can also be drunk hot or cold for a refreshing experience. It’s a particularly good choice of beverage during winter, as it can help support your immune system to fight off cold and flu, thanks to its antioxidant properties.

Besides tasting great, lemon myrtle tea is vegan, paleo, and low-carb friendly, and can fit in with most dietary lifestyles.

Why Choose Australian-Sourced Lemon Myrtle Tea

When you buy lemon myrtle tea from Austral Herbs, you’ll receive a product that is 100% Australian and supports locals. The lemon myrtle plant is native to Australia and has been harvested by Indigenous Australians for thousands of years. Today, lemon myrtle tea continues to be harvested in Australia, ensuring that you’ll receive the freshest product that meets Australia’s high standards of organic production.

Choosing locally-sourced botanicals like our lemon myrtle tea is also good for the environment, as transporting products locally leaves a smaller carbon footprint than internationally-sourced items.

Bulk Options and Storage Solutions

When you’re a regular loose-leaf tea enjoyer, buying in bulk can be an ideal way to keep a steady supply of your favourite blend. Besides always having some leaves on hand, buying in bulk can help you make some serious savings compared with purchasing smaller quantities.

To maintain the freshness of your bulk-ordered tea, it’s best to store your leaves in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot away from sunlight and damp. This helps your lemon myrtle tea keep at its freshest and tastiest for up to 18 months.

To get the best deal for your lemon myrtle tea, explore our bulk tea ordering options.

Enjoy Refreshing Lemon Myrtle Tea Today

Lemon myrtle tea is one of the best choices of beverage you can make. It’s native to Australia, tastes great and has many health benefits. Austral Herbs is a trusted source for your Australian native herbs, and you can count on our lemon myrtle tea to be 100% Australian Certified Organic.

Order our lemon myrtle tea today, and make it a part of your wellness journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is lemon myrtle tea good for?

Lemon myrtle tea is good for those wanting a lemony taste in their tea with numerous health benefits, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also caffeine-free and won’t keep you up at night after drinking.

What did First Nation’s people use lemon myrtle for?

Australia’s First Nations people used lemon myrtle for a variety of applications, including soothing wounds, relieving headaches, seasoning fish, and even as an insect repellent when set alight.

Can you make tea from lemon myrtle?

Tea can be made from lemon myrtle after the leaves have been dried. Use one teaspoon of dried leaves per desired cup, and steep hot water at 95 degrees Celsius for 4-7 minutes for a refreshing brew.

Is lemon myrtle good for the liver?

While lemon myrtle tea has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it should not be relied on as a liver treatment.

Is lemon myrtle tea safe to drink daily?

In general, lemon myrtle tea is safe to drink on a daily basis. Some individuals may have allergic reactions to citral content. If you have any concerns, please consult your doctor.

How does lemon myrtle tea compare to other herbal teas?

Lemon myrtle tea has a high citral content, which makes it taste more lemon-like than other teas such as lemongrass and lemon verbena. Its taste also comes without the tartness of most other lemon-like teas, giving it a unique flavour profile for your palate.

Can I grow my own lemon myrtle for tea?

Yes, you can grow your own lemon myrtle tea from a seedling or cutting to produce your own lemon myrtle tea. A lemon myrtle plant can withstand full sun or partial shade, and should be protected from frost. Lemon myrtle grown from your own backyard is a great way to harvest your own tea for moderate drinking, while purchasing large quantities of lemon myrtle tea is beneficial for those who enjoy lots of tea or are unable to cultivate their own plants.

What's the difference between lemon myrtle tea and lemon tea?

Lemon myrtle tea is derived from the lemon myrtle plant, native to Australia, whereas other lemon-flavour teas are drawn from other, non-native sources. Many other lemon teas don’t have the same breadth of culinary applications or health benefits.

How should I store my lemon myrtle tea to keep it fresh?

You should store your lemon myrtle tea leaves in an airtight container, and keep them in an area away from sunlight and damp. It should also be stored away from other foods and ingredients with strong odours to retain its taste and scent profile.