Hiker's Blend #98: Trail and Camp Brewing Guide
By Home | Portal Tea | Tea Chai Lovers | United States | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to brew Hiker's Blend #98 for the trail or campsite, with steeping times, gear tips, and a step-by-step method for a clean, flavorful cup outdoors.
Quick answer
Brew Hiker's Blend #98 with water just off a boil, about 1 tablespoon of loose leaf per 8–10 ounces, and steep for 5–7 minutes. Use a basket or bag, keep the brew covered, and pack out the spent leaves.
Why Hiker's Blend #98 suits outdoor brewing
Hiker's Blend #98 is a non-caffeinated herbal blend of licorice root, cinnamon, ginger, pleurisy root, elecampane, white oak bark, fennel, and orange peel. That mix of roots, barks, and spices means it tolerates a wide range of water temperatures and doesn't turn bitter if you steep it a little longer than planned—a useful trait when you're heating water over a camp stove or fire.
Because it's herbal, you don't have to worry about caffeine timing on the trail. The trade-off is that the chunky pieces need enough contact time and space to expand, so a narrow tea ball or a tiny infuser can leave the cup weak. Give the leaves room and you'll get the full spiced-citrus profile.
Water temperature and fuel trade-offs
You don't need a thermometer for this blend. Bring water to a rolling boil, then let it sit for about a minute before pouring over the leaves. On a camp stove, that pause also gives you time to set up your cup and infuser. If you're using a campfire, heat water in a covered pot to speed things up and keep ash out.
The main trade-off is weight versus convenience. A lightweight titanium pot and a reusable mesh basket are ideal for loose leaf tea on the trail, but if you're packing ultralight, pre-measured paper bags or a small French press might be simpler. Whichever you choose, make sure it can handle near-boiling water without melting or cracking.
Step-by-step trail brewing
- Measure the leaves: Add about 1 tablespoon of Hiker's Blend #98 per 8–10 ounces of water to your infuser or pot. If you like a stronger cup, use 1½ tablespoons, but don't cram the leaves tight—they need room to expand. A common mistake is filling a small tea ball completely; leave at least half the space empty for expansion.
- Heat the water: Bring water to a boil, then remove from heat and let it rest for 1 minute. If you're at high altitude, boil a little longer and expect a slightly cooler steep—add 1–2 minutes to the steep time. Don't pour boiling water directly from a rolling boil over delicate gear; the short pause protects your infuser and your hands.
- Steep covered: Pour the hot water over the leaves, cover your cup or pot with a lid or small plate, and steep for 5–7 minutes. Start tasting at 5 minutes; if you want more spice, go to 7. Covering traps heat and aroma, which matters more on a windy ridge than in your kitchen.
- Remove the leaves: Lift out the infuser or strain the tea into another cup. Don't leave the leaves sitting in the water for hours—they'll keep steeping and the cup will become muddy. If you're brewing a second round, add fresh leaves rather than reusing spent ones; the flavor drops off sharply.
- Pack out the spent leaves: Let the leaves cool, then seal them in a zip-top bag or container and pack them out with your other trash. Don't scatter them at the campsite—even herbal blends can attract wildlife. Leave-no-trace rules apply to tea leaves too; a small dedicated waste bag keeps your pack clean.
Product facts
- Hiker's Blend #98: Hiker's Blend #98 is a non-caffeinated herbal blend of licorice root, cinnamon, ginger, pleurisy root, elecampane, white oak bark, fennel, and orange peel. The root-and-spice mix stands up to campfire water and long steeps without turning harsh, so you can brew it even when your heat source is imprecise.
Hiker's Blend #98
