From the woods of Poland, the edges of Bulgaria, the banks of Ukraine, Slovakia and France: L’Herboriste Bouleau & Ortie Bio gathers plants from the woods and ditches of Europe, those once picked at the edges of the fields.

Nettle opens the composition. Urtica dioica, which one avoids in the garden for its stinging hairs, becomes, once dried, a soft green cup leaf; it comes from France, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Ukraine. Birch leaves follow, gathered in Bulgaria and Poland from Betula, the white-barked tree of the forests of Northern and Eastern Europe. Rosehip, aniseed, fennel, verbena and liquorice root complete the whole, grown organically.

The dry blend, very green, smells of the forest in spring. The liquor, golden green, advances with a frank, slightly mineral vegetal note, that of the two lead plants. The aniseed and fennel round it out, the rosehip adds a discreet tartness, the verbena a lemony touch. Finally, the liquorice softens the finish with a natural sweetness that makes the cup pleasant every day.

It is naturally caffeine-free; it is an herbal infusion for the end of the day. Per litre of boiling water at 100 °C, allow 12 to 15 g of plants and steep for five to ten minutes. A short infusion favours the fresh vegetal character, a longer one the aniseed roundness.

It goes well with wholemeal bread with honey, hazelnuts, or rhubarb compote. A box that closes well, away from daylight and humidity, will suit it.