Fortnum & Mason Advent Day 9 (Sachet)
I knew it was in here. It was just a question of which day I would confront it. I don’t mind green rooibos, I even like lots of blends that have it. But red…
So I altered my thinking. I have never had plain, unadulterated rooibos before, but I knew what it tasted like because it has been quite strong in some of the flavored blends. I didn’t enjoy them.
I decided to make it an event and keep an open mind, and pretend I was having a mug of tea with Precious Ramotswe, protagonist of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency novels, which estimates that she drinks at least 99 cups of red bush tea a week.
I lit some Japanese Jasmine incense that Youngest gave me, and I sat down in solitude. I pretended I was in Botswana sitting beside Precious and about to partake of her wisdom and steady spirit. And…as long as I didn’t think of it as a cup of TEA, I enjoyed it. And believe or not, I made a second steep after I finished the first and hoped any health benefits were greatly amplified by the openness of my mind.
There is no escaping it. Rooibos is rooibos and this is rooibos, but I am glad I made it an event instead of tossing it. I might even develop a taste for it.
The Fortnum advent rooibos was the first red rooibos I ever actually liked..and the last.