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.

Herbal tea and food pairings
Bouquet de Manon pairs wonderfully with simple, southern-inspired desserts: olive oil and lemon cake, elderflower madeleines, homemade sorbets, and lightly sweetened fresh fruit. Served warm, it also complements fresh goat cheese or a vegetable tian.

Recipes and cocktails using Bouquet de Manon
Served iced, slowly infused in the refrigerator with a few fresh mint leaves and a twist of lemon, it's a refreshing and elegant drink, perfect for enjoying from a carafe under the arbors. It can also be used as the base for a Mediterranean mocktail: cold infusion, ice cubes, freshly squeezed lime juice, a touch of basil syrup… and perhaps a few pomegranate pearls. A sophisticated and subtle taste of summer in every cup.