Bouquet de Manon Herbal Tea

A touch of the South in your cup
The story of this herbal tea begins in a hilltop village in the Luberon, nestled among pale stones and slender cypress trees. There, at the bend of a path lined with oleanders, hides a light-filled guesthouse with almond-green shutters and sun-baked flagstones. Wisteria climbs the walls, cicadas sing in the morning, and the scent of wild mint wafts through the garden.
This is where Didier, one of the Maison's directors, stopped one summer, welcomed by Manon, the owner. In the hottest hour of the afternoon, she served her guests a fresh, simple, and unforgettable drink: a long-steeped licorice infusion, softened with sweet mint, and enhanced with a dash of lemon. A sincere, thirst-quenching, and fragrant gesture of hospitality that would inspire an entire herbal tea.

Mysterious root
The taste of licorice is unique. From the first sip or bite, it unfolds a natural sweetness, persistent but never sickening, rounder than sugar, with an almost silky texture in the mouth. Then come woody notes, slightly earthy, like dry undergrowth, mixed with a salty hint and a bitter touch that recalls anise without being confused with it. Sometimes, an almost mineral impression settles on the finish, clean and fresh. It is an enveloping taste, both ancient and intense, which leaves a long, vibrant and deeply vegetal impression.

Accords tisanes et mets
Bouquet de Manon s’accorde à merveille avec des douceurs simples aux accents du Sud : cake à l’huile d’olive et au citron, madeleines à la fleur de sureau, sorbets maison, fruits frais légèrement sucrés. Servie chaude, elle accompagne aussi un fromage de chèvre frais ou un tian de légumes.

Recettes et cocktails à base de Bouquet de Manon
En version glacée, infusée longuement au frais avec quelques feuilles de menthe fraîche et un zeste de citron jaune, c’est une boisson désaltérante et élégante, à savourer en carafe sous les tonnelles. On peut aussi l’imaginer en base d’un mocktail méditerranéen : infusion froide, glaçons, citron vert pressé, une pointe de sirop de basilic… et pourquoi pas quelques perles de grenade. Un parfum d’été racé et subtil dans la tasse.