Verbena, lemon balm, chamomile, mint: single-herb infusions

Why a single plant

Blends are made for balance; a single plant is made for character. It also reveals the quality of the harvest: verbena in whole leaves, chamomile in whole flower heads, mint in green leaves, never powder. On every Ombelle product page, the plant's origin is located on our world map of terroirs, and the organic farming label appears on the bag.

Lemony leaves: verbena, lemon balm, lemongrass

Verveine Odorante Feuilles Entières (€16.80) is Aloysia citrodora verbena in whole leaves, which crackle between the fingers as they release their lemon: a pale yellow liquor, lemony and floral, without acidity. Feuilles de Mélisse Fraîche (€4.90) is softer and greener, with a more discreet lemon. Citronnelle Fraîche Coupée (€4.20), a grass rather than a verbena, is the most forthright and lively of the three, and the most refreshing iced. All three: 100 °C, 7 to 10 minutes, 12 to 15 g per litre.

Flowers: chamomile, hibiscus

Fleurs de Camomille Matricaire (€11.20) are whole Matricaria flower heads: green apple, dried flowers, gentleness, 5 to 10 minutes. Fleurs d’Hibiscus Karkadé (€7.00), by contrast, give a red liquor, tart like redcurrant, hot or iced, to sweeten if you wish: it is the base of most fruit infusions.

Mints and eucalyptus

Menthe Verte Douce (€5.60) is the mint of mint tea, gentle and rounded; Menthe Poivrée Intense (€10.70) is fresher, sharper and longer. Feuilles d’Eucalyptus Fraîcheur (€5.60) has a woody menthol note, quite different, to be measured lightly. 100 °C, 5 to 10 minutes.

Seeds and roots: fennel, ginger

Graines de Fenouil Doux (€4.50) give an aniseed infusion, sweet and liquorice-like without any liquorice, 10 to 15 minutes. Gingembre en Morceaux (€7.80) is the dried root in pieces, spicy and warming, to steep for 5 to 10 minutes or to simmer for a few minutes in the water for more strength. Both pair with lemongrass or lemon balm to create your own blend.

Green leaves: nettle, sage

Feuilles d’Ortie Piquante (€6.40) have a vegetal, mineral taste, close to spinach, 10 minutes; Feuilles de Sauge Officinale (€6.20) are aromatic and dry, to be measured lightly. Two connoisseur's plants, found in most of our composed herbal blends.

Preparing and storing a single plant

• Measure: 12 to 15 g per litre, or one heaped teaspoon per cup; whole flowers and leaves are bulky, so measure by weight rather than volume.
• Water and time: 100 °C, 7 to 10 minutes, covered; 5 minutes for mints and chamomile if you like them light, 10 to 15 for seeds.
• Blending: two thirds lemony leaf, one third mint or fennel, and you have your evening infusion.
• Storage: an opaque, airtight tin, away from kitchen spices. A whole plant keeps its fragrance for a year; cut leaves, six to nine months.