Fennel, aniseed, caraway: three seeds from the same family, the Apiaceae, which have long featured in the kitchens of Europe and the Near East, tucked into a rye loaf or a slow-cooked dish. In Élixir Mélisse Camomille Fenouil Bio, they form the aromatic heart of an evening herbal infusion, naturally caffeine-free, whose main ingredient nonetheless remains lemon balm.

Lemon balm makes up 30% of the blend and comes from Bulgaria, France or Morocco. Chamomile from Egypt, Croatia or Kosovo follows, then aniseed, Egyptian fennel (11%), caraway (10%), carrot, liquorice root, peppermint, whole verbena, marigold petals and hop flowers. The whole blend is organic.

Soft green flecked with gold, the loose leaf smells of a herb garden. In the cup, the pale golden liquor opens on the velvety lemon of lemon balm, which the chamomile extends with a honeyed note. The three seeds then bring their rounded aniseed character, the liquorice a natural sweetness, and the peppermint finishes with a light freshness. Nothing jars: it is a round, long and very harmonious cup.

One litre of water calls for 12 to 15 g; half a litre, half that amount. The water boils at 100 °C, and the infusion lasts at least seven minutes and at most ten: the seeds need this time to release their aromas. It is drunk after dinner, plain, or with a shortbread biscuit or a poached pear.

Keep it in a tightly closed tin, in a dry place, away from sunlight. It is weighed at the counter in our Nice and Bordeaux shops.