Orange and cinnamon: the pairing usually evokes mulled wine and Christmas pastries, with a certain opulence. Tisane Orange Cannelle d’Hiver Bio offers a lighter reading, where the lemony herbs keep the whole blend fresh.

Egyptian lemongrass and lemon balm from Bulgaria, France and Morocco form the base. The cinnamon comes as sticks from Viêt-Nam and Indonesia, then as Ceylon cinnamon and ground cinnamon; the orange, in powder from Mexico and Greece, and as peel. Chamomile, liquorice root and rose petals complete the blend. Everything comes from organic cultivation.

The dry blend, pale and coppery, smells of the preparations for the festive season. The liquor is golden. The opening surprises with its lemony softness, unusual for a winter infusion; the orange is round, almost candied, the cinnamon measured, warm without insisting. The chamomile gives a velvety touch, the liquorice a natural sweetness, and the lemon balm and lemongrass keep the finish clean and fresh.

An evening herbal infusion, naturally caffeine-free. Let it steep for seven to ten minutes in water at 100 °C, using 12 to 15 g per litre, that is, 6 to 7.5 grams for a 500 ml teapot. It also lends itself to a milky version, with hot milk and a touch of honey.

It goes well with bredele, an orange brioche, or a chocolate cake. An airtight tin, stored away from daylight and all humidity, preserves the scent of the orange. It can be taken as a 15 g sample or in a large format, weighed at the counter.