Why is chamomile called manzanilla in Spanish?

The word manzanilla is a diminutive of manzana (apple), meaning 'little apple.' This name comes from the fact that chamomile flowers emit a fragrance similar to apples. The name dates back centuries in the Spanish language and reflects folk botanical observation.

Is there a difference between té de manzanilla and infusión de manzanilla?

Technically, an 'infusión' is any drink made by steeping plant material in hot water, while 'té' strictly refers to drinks from the tea plant. In everyday Latin American Spanish, both terms are used interchangeably for chamomile tea, but in Spain some speakers prefer the more precise 'infusión.'

Can manzanilla mean something other than chamomile?

In Andalusia, Spain, 'manzanilla' is also a type of fino sherry wine produced exclusively in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Additionally, manzanilla can refer to the chamomile plant itself, not just the tea. Context — whether you are in a bar, pharmacy, or café — determines the intended meaning.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

Chamomile Tea in Spanish: Té De Manzanilla

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Té De Manzanilla · noun · TEH deh mahn-sah-NEE-yah

Té de manzanilla is the Spanish phrase for chamomile tea, one of the most popular herbal infusions in the Spanish-speaking world. Manzanilla literally means 'little apple' due to the apple-like scent of the chamomile flower. In Spain, purists may call it 'infusión de manzanilla' since technically only drinks made from the Camellia sinensis plant are true 'tés.'

TEH deh mahn-sah-NEE-yah

Tómate un té de manzanilla antes de dormir para relajarte.

Have a chamomile tea before sleeping to relax.

Chamomile Tea in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for chamomile tea, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
té de manzanilla	chamomile tea	TEH deh mahn-sah-NEE-yah	Default, widely understood
infusión de manzanilla	chamomile tea		formal/Spain
agüita de manzanilla	chamomile tea		colloquial Latin America

How Native Speakers Use Té De Manzanilla

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Home remedy

Mi abuela siempre nos preparaba té de manzanilla cuando teníamos dolor de estómago.

My grandmother always made us chamomile tea when we had a stomachache.

Traditional home remedy.

Café order

Me gustaría una infusión de manzanilla con miel, por favor.

I would like a chamomile infusion with honey, please.

Ordering at a café in Spain.

Relaxation

Después de un día largo, nada como una taza de manzanilla caliente.

After a long day, nothing beats a cup of hot chamomile.

Unwinding at home.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Té De Manzanilla

Confusing with sherry

Incorrect: Pedí una copa de manzanilla en el restaurante.

Correct: Pedí un té de manzanilla en el restaurante.

In southern Spain, 'manzanilla' alone can refer to a type of dry sherry wine from Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Always specify 'té de manzanilla' or 'infusión de manzanilla' to clearly mean the herbal tea.

Wrong word for chamomile

Incorrect: Quiero un té de camomila.

Correct: Quiero un té de manzanilla.

While 'camomila' exists in some technical botanical texts, everyday Spanish uses 'manzanilla' for chamomile. Using camomila sounds unnatural in conversation.

Lock in Chamomile Tea Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Té De Manzanilla used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using té de manzanilla in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Tómate un té de manzanilla antes de dormir para relajarte. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Chamomile Tea in Spanish

Why is chamomile called manzanilla in Spanish?: The word manzanilla is a diminutive of manzana (apple), meaning 'little apple.' This name comes from the fact that chamomile flowers emit a fragrance similar to apples. The name dates back centuries in the Spanish language and reflects folk botanical observation.
Is there a difference between té de manzanilla and infusión de manzanilla?: Technically, an 'infusión' is any drink made by steeping plant material in hot water, while 'té' strictly refers to drinks from the tea plant. In everyday Latin American Spanish, both terms are used interchangeably for chamomile tea, but in Spain some speakers prefer the more precise 'infusión.'
Can manzanilla mean something other than chamomile?: In Andalusia, Spain, 'manzanilla' is also a type of fino sherry wine produced exclusively in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Additionally, manzanilla can refer to the chamomile plant itself, not just the tea. Context — whether you are in a bar, pharmacy, or café — determines the intended meaning.