Steeping is the soaking in liquid (usually water) of a solid so as to extract flavours or to soften it. Some
teas are prepared for drinking by steeping the leaves in heated water to release the flavour and nutrients.
Herbal teas may be prepared by
decoction,
infusion, or
maceration. Some solids are soaked to remove an ingredient, such as
salt from
smoked ham or salted
cod, where the solvent is not the desired product.