Which infusion to give: our Ombelle gift ideas by profile

The simple rule: give what people don't buy for themselves

The right infusion gift is the one people hesitate to treat themselves to: whole-leaf verbena rather than a tea bag, a herbal blend of ten plants, an unexpected fruit infusion. Avoid someone's “everyday” infusion: they already have it. And for someone whose tastes you don't know, a selection of three samples tells the whole story of the brand in three cups.

The discovery selection: three samples

Every Ombelle product is available as a 15 g sample, sold by weight, enough for five or six cups: three samples slipped into a house tea tin (€15) make a complete gift for under €20. The trios we recommend most often:

• Evening: Instant de Bonheur Verveine, Tisane des Cimes Tilleul Mélisse, Quiétude Pomme Cannelle.
• Fruit: Récolte de Fruits Rouges, Cocktail Exotique au Citron, Fruit du Dragon Enchanté.
• Spices: Trio Gingembre Orange Cannelle, Menthe Chocolat Fondante, Épices Indiennes du Kerala.

For the lover of evening infusions

Give them the whole plant: Verveine Odorante Feuilles Entières (€16.80 per 100 g) is the finest verbena we sell, in leaves that crackle between your fingers, and Fleurs de Camomille Matricaire (€11.20) are whole flower heads. For someone curious, Olivier Verveine & Mélisse (€9.50), with its olive leaf, or Jardin des Dix Herbes (€10.70), with peppermint, fennel, anise, caraway, thyme and hops, are out of the ordinary.

For children and the whole family

Naturally caffeine-free and with no added sugar, fruit infusions make the perfect gift for teatime: Récolte de Fruits Rouges (€8.00), Tribu Fruitée Orange Exotique (€7.80) or, in an indulgent version, Menthe Chocolat Fondante (€8.30), with crushed cocoa beans. In 250 g, they last a whole winter of carafes and cups.

For someone giving up coffee

Maté is Ombelle's only family containing caffeine. Chai Maté Vert des Gauchos (€8.40), with spices, and Aurore de Menthe & Maté (€7.80) are the two we most recommend as gifts; with a bombilla (€11), the gift becomes a ritual. Our maté guide explains how it's done.

For summer: carafe infusions

For someone who likes cold drinks, a duo of iced carafe infusions: Cocktail Exotique au Citron (€8.10) and Fraîcheur Glacée Menthe Stévia (€7.50), 12 g per litre of cold water, one night in the fridge. A double-lidded washi tin (€16.50 to €18.50) then keeps them away from the light.

If you really don't know: the gift card

The gift card, from €25 to €750, is digital, active from the following day, valid for 12 months, in our shops and online alike, on Ombelle as on the rest of the shop.