Although I like to pretend that I am, I’m not really a tea drinker.
It took me a while to accept this about myself; it’s not that I hate tea – I don’t, I just can’t seem to incorporate the ritual of tea-drinking into my daily routine.
I like the idea of tea; it conjures up images of fanciful afternoon teas and super healthy people; most of the passionate tea drinkers I know are also seemingly healthy people.
For a while I thought I could learn to love drinking tea, since I already love everything else about it.

I read tea blogs (I bet you didn’t know there was such a thing), enjoy spending time at stylish tea stores and I actually do buy tea – I’m just not as passionate when it comes to the actual brewing and drinking.

I started ‘drinking’ rooibos tea several months back, it’s a naturally sweet caffeine-free tea from southern Africa – it’s warm, has bold flavours and reminds me of caramel.
I decided I liked it enough to buy a large bag, only to have it sit for months on end with my other teas, every once in a while I’d remember how good it is and make myself a cup.

And then I discovered red espresso, rooibos tea brewed like coffee; it can be prepared using a stovetop espresso maker.
It’s my new favourite way of making tea, and maybe it’s the novelty but I’m drinking more tea now coffee-style!

The rooisbos tea espresso tastes richer and smoother than regular tea.
I sometimes make mine with a splash of lemon and a teaspoon of golden syrup, to finish off dinner.
Or for a simple afternoon tea, sweetened with maple syrup and coconut milk, goes very well with cookies.