Steeping: Hibiscus Fruit Iced Tea

The first half of 2019 is off to somewhere. Aish! Well, congrats for making it through. (Eh, I’m a little high on ice-cream at the moment! Got this “family size” tub and I’m almost done with the whole thing. What’s there to say, it’s Summersummersummer after all. ^_^) But is it just me or is the year, like, rocketing away? Well, my resolution for the second half of ’19 is to show mad gratitude by making some genuine effort with my days. Hope you are planning a real festival. The sort that makes you slap yourself on the back when, you think, no one is watching. Wink-wink.

Okay let’s get down to things. This hibiscus fruit tea recipe was a spontaneous one. Very very little effort went into it. The idea came to me while I was trying to think of a good summer tea to share with you. But I love it and I hope you would, too. It has high caffeine because I am especially lazy in the summer and need a little help staying up. Also the pepper is optional; the thing is I am the sort of person who puts pepper into everything, water included.

You’ll need (for about 18 ounces which is perfect for two, but if you’re like me excellent for one): 
+ 1 tsp yerba mate 
+ 1 tsp lapsang souchong 
+ 1/4 tsp osmanthus tea 
+ 1/4 tsp hibiscus (increase quantity if you wish)
+ A pinch of cumin 
+ A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional) 
+ fruits of your choice (I used pineapple, strawberries and blueberries) 
+ Ice cubes 
+ Pitcher of cold water (about 16 ounces)
By the way, I buy most of my teas and spices from Atlantic Spices
Prep:
+ Bring about 4 ounces of water to boil 
+ Mix teas, spices and (optional) pepper 
+ Put tea in infuser and steep for 12-15 minutes. 
+ Add hot tea to a pitcher of about 12 ounces cold water, or pour cold water directly into teapot 
Serve:
+ Scoop fruits into cup
+ Add as much ice cubes as you like 
+ Serve tea & 
+ Enjoy! 
(I love to eat the fruits with a chopstick but little skewers/toothpicks should work, too)
No music this time. 
I have not been listening to much except the traffic outside my window  
which sounds like it is birthing monsters. 
Happy middle of the year!  
Xx
Jane 

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