Herb infusions can make daily water more appealing, food journalist says

Food journalist Tuuli Mathisen says homemade herb-infused water can make daily water drinking more appealing, ERR reported, after she demonstrated three recipes on the Terevisioon breakfast programme.

Tallinn schoolchildren are being encouraged to drink more water this week, with flavoured water on offer. Mathisen prepared versions of the drinks in the programme’s studio, using no added sugar.

Her recipes included mint infused with apple, cucumber and pomegranate seeds; sage and bay leaf; and oregano with assorted berries. Mathisen said the drinks are made from strong herbal infusions diluted with water, rather than being sweetened drinks.

To prepare an infusion, Mathisen brought water to a boil, boiled it briefly, removed it from the heat and let it steep for about 15 minutes before straining out the herbs. She then mixed one part infusion with three parts plain tap water.

Mathisen said the method was simple and gave water a different flavour. She added that she did not drink water as a child, when the habit was less common, but that awareness of the importance of drinking water has since grown.