Dutch Licorice Flavoured Rooibos Tea

• Country of Origin: South Africa
• Region: Cederberg
• Shipping Port: Cape Town
• Grade: Choice Grade #1
• Altitude: 1500 - 2500 feet above sea level
• Manufacturer Type: Fermentation turns the leaves from green to deep red and gives a slightly sweet note.
• Cup Characteristics: Memories of Amsterdam as aniseed imparts a sweet candy-like pungency on tangy licorice.
• Infusions: Reddish orange to full color (depends on brewing time and quantity used)
• Ingredients: Luxury rooibos, Aniseed, Sunflower petals, Natural flavors

Three cheers for the Dutch. The Dutch have given the world wooden shoes, tulips, windmills and salty black licorice. Yes, salty licorice. If you ask for licorice in Amsterdam you won’t be handed a piece of the sweet red variety we grew up with here in North America. Dutch licorice is actually a derivative of Finnish licorice, known as Salmiakki, which gets its name from the Latin word for ammonium chloride, sal ammoniac, the variety of salt that gives the black confection its distinctive salty flavor. The Dutch variety is a little sweeter than the Finnish however thanks to the addition of aniseed. The resulting candy has a complex salty sweet flavor and depending on the ratio of ingredients ranges in profile from mild to extra strong.

Our Master Taster, being the good Dutchman that he is, knew he had to create a tea to capture the unique flavor of the Old Country. He decided to base the blend on a Cederberg district Rooibos from South Africa, which imparts an herbaceous character reminiscent of licorice root. The mellow character of Rooibos also layers exceptionally well with the aniseed and natural flavorings that round out the blend. The resulting cup is fantastic – sweet, slightly bitter and hinting of spice. Try it hot or poured over a tall glass of ice. Prost! (That’s cheers in Dutch!)

200 ml (about 7 ounces) of brewed Rooibos contains the following nutrients:

Iron (Fe) - Essential for transport of oxygen in the blood - 0.07 mg per 200 ml.

Potassium (K) - Assists certain metabolic functions - 7.12 mg per 200 ml.

Calcium (Ca) - Necessary for strong teeth and bones - 1.09 mg per 200 ml.

Copper (Cu) - Assists certain metabolic processes - 0.07 mg per 200 ml.

Zinc (Zn) - Necessary for normal growth and development of healthy skin - 0.04 mg per 200 ml.

Magnesium (Mg) - Assists a healthy nervous system and other metabolic processes - 1.57 mg per 200 ml.

Fluoride (F) - Necessary for strong teeth and bones - 0.22 mg per 200 ml.

Manganese (Mn) - Assists metabolic processes and bone growth and development - 0.04 mg per 200 ml.

Sodium (Na) - Necessary for fluid and acid-base balance - 6.16 mg per 200 ml.