Water at 100 °C touches the coppery leaves, and the first steam rising from the teapot is already minty. Rooibos Plume de Menthe Poivrée Bio pushes freshness a notch further than the usual floral rooibos, without giving up the softness of its base.

Natural rooibos from South Africa, which appears twice in the ingredients list, makes up the bulk of the blend. It is joined by Egyptian fennel, anise, peppermint, linden flowers, natural peppermint flavouring, marigold flowers and rose petals. The plants are organically grown.

Dry, the coppery blend breathes a clean menthol, without heaviness. The liquor is red amber. Its structure rests on an elegant contrast: the woody, slightly sweet roundness of the rooibos on one side, the fresh uprightness of peppermint on the other. The linden rounds off the edges, the anise and fennel bridge the transition, and the finish stays light, clean and long in freshness.

Naturally caffeine-free, it is made for evenings. For a one-litre teapot, allow 15 to 20 g and water boiling at 100 °C; for one cup, 3 to 4 g; then seven to ten minutes of waiting. It is drunk hot in winter; in summer, cooled and poured over ice cubes, it becomes a refreshing drink of great simplicity.

Pair it with a lemon meringue tart, ginger biscuits or a square of dark chocolate. It is sold by weight, packed to order; at home, an opaque, tightly closed tin will suit it perfectly.