Nearly half of the blend, 46% exactly, is green anise, a small striped seed of an Apiaceae plant from the eastern Mediterranean basin, the one that flavours the sweets of Flavigny and many gingerbreads. Here it comes from Egypt or Turkey, and gives Tisane Anis Menthe Tilleul Bio a frank, assertive dominant note.

Two other plants temper its intensity. Lime blossom, from Kosovo or Bosnia and Herzegovina, brings its honeyed sweetness; French peppermint (11%) its fresh breath, relayed by another mint (5%). Rosehip, liquorice root, thyme, eucalyptus, star anise (4%) and marigold flowers complete the blend. No ingredient is non-organic.

Dry, the blend, golden and flowery, smells of anisette. The pale gold liquor is round, with a natural sweetness that liquorice and star anise prolong; the lime blossom adds its honey, then a current of minty, slightly eucalyptus air runs through the cup and lightens it. The finish stays fresh.

Caffeine-free, it is taken in the evening. For 500 ml, use 6 to 7.5 g of blend (12 to 15 g per litre) and water that is boiling, at 100 °C; then steep for seven to ten minutes, long enough for the seeds to release their aromas. It accompanies navettes, an anise biscuit, dried figs, a crème brûlée; lukewarm, it keeps all its roundness.

Store it in an airtight container: the anise, very fragrant, would pass its odour on to the other plants. We weigh it in Nice and in Bordeaux, according to your needs.