1.09.2012

# tea

Rooibos Tea Latte



I am normally a purist when it comes to drinks. I’ve never been one to get a designer drink like an eggnog spiced latte. I normally just go for a good old fashioned coffee with cream (no sugar). As far as tea goes- much the same. I like green tea, straight up. And I thought I liked rooibos tea that way too until I went out for tea with my friend Amelia and she ordered a rooibos tea latte.

I was instantly curious. It sounds so pretty after all- a rooibos tea latte. Ordering it just sort of rolls off the tongue. But I was very suspicious of potentially adulterating one of my favorite drinks. After all Mma Ramotswe from Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series drinks rooibos tea plain and silently scoffs when her assistant Mma Makutsi adds milk to it.



But never being one to judge (too much anyway) I decided to try one for myself. A rooibos tea latte is made by steeping rooibos tea and then adding a touch of warm frothy milk (I make mine with soy milk but hemp or almond milk is good too). Thankfully I decided to be adventurous and experiment with my beloved drink because I find this new version to be delicious- it is particularly delightful at breakfast time with fresh fruit!

To see how I make my rooibos tea latte (and to see how I store my tea) watch the above video. If you are unable to see the embedded video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

I would love to know… what is your favorite morning beverage?



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15 comments:

Joni said...

That looks delicious! During the week I drink green tea with jasmine and on the weekend I'll have coffee with a splash of whole milk.

Christine said...

My favorite morning beverage is a cup of black tea...Paul Newman's Royal English Breakfast...the organic tea does taste SOOOO much better! I am a purist and put nothing in it and absolutely love it! So totally soothed by this ritual every morning. I used to be a heavy black coffee drinker; however, it hurts my stomach, my heart, and makes me feel tremendously on edge. The soothing effects of the tea are truly a pleasure!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh this is a tasty tea post....
I love tea.

It starts my day gracefully and sets the tone for the day.

Hugs,
Hostess
XO

Stephanie said...

As a self confessed tea addict, this is definitely a must try for me :)

xo Stephanie

Nanne said...

Hi Jennifer, I just recently came across your blog and I immediately became a follower, you're so inspiring:) I'm more of a coffee drinker myself, and my morning beverage of choice would be a cup of ordinary coffee with a splash of low-fat milk, plain and simple. I don't drink a lot of tea, for some reason it always tastes mostly like warm water to me, but this sounds interesting, so I'll try it out. I'm sure almond milk will be delicious!

Anonymous said...

Firstly, Bonne année to you, Jennifer, and other readers!

Ahhh, you've hit on a personal favorite of mine - Rooibos tea! I sip on this all day during the winter months to warm myself; then in the summer, iced to keep cool. Purchase from a store called Teavana. I like the Chai best, as it has notes of cinnamon & ginger. Add a bit of clover honey to it, but have never added whipped milk. Hmmm, almond sounds delicious!

And am going to mention my guilty pleasure. I perk cocoa infused coffee bean grounds in an old, inherited 50's silver bullet-style percolator (need to mention this, as it's part of the tradtion. It was my mother's used for bridge parties. Brings back fond memories. And the aroma the steam gives to the house is absolutely heavenly). I like it expresso consistency, add freshly whipped heavy cream with vanilla bean infused for extra oomph, then clover honey. Since it's so high in many things not so health conscience I only make it on Sunday AMs, and limit myself to one cup.

Anonymous said...

Dear Jennifer~ A link on CNN.com led me to your posts. Where did you get that nifty mug with the filter + cover?
I love rooibus tea + appreciate your Alexander McCall Smith reference also. Lately my fave tea is a rosehip + hibiscus blend with a little honey, or straight hibiscus (a big bag of jamaica flowers in the grocery's ethnic aisle).
I'm not one for bottled tea blends but this rooibus blend called Pomegranatea is delicious: http://argotea.com/menu_signature_ready.shtml. While visiting Worcester MA I found it on sale at Shaw's grocery store.
Nice meeting you! ~Dee J

Lacey R said...

Oh I am definitely a coffee girl (esp in the mornings! 2 creams/2 sugars) but tea has been growing on me over the past year. Lately I have been buying vanilla and raspberry rooibos loose tea and making myself a cup at least once or twice a week.....so I may have to try the tea latte!

p.s. Wasn't the premiere of Downton Abbey awesome? So worth the wait. I am still thinking about it today!! And there is finally a premiere date for Mad Men!!

Anonymous said...

Hello Jennifer,
the tea looks so scrummy. I am having a Rooibos now but shall have to invest in a milk whipper before I can try the tip. Yum! My two fave breakfast beverages are a cup of coffee and a coconut rice-milk which I make. xx

Anonymous said...

I am definitely a plain, black strong (Starbucks x-bold anything) coffee girl in the mornings. About 10 years ago I was a sweet,caramel latte die hard...then we went to Paris. It changed everything. ~~Bliss

moreskinnydays said...

Banana Smoothie

1 1/2 frozen super ripe bananas
1/5 block of tofu
1 cup almond milk

High protein, low fat, and delicious! It's like a milkshake for breakfast.

Sarah said...

Jennifer,

I will definitely try the Rooibos tea and I must say, your posts are just too, too delightful!

The Daily Connoisseur said...

Hello Everyone- thanks for commenting and sharing what your favorite morning beverage is. I do love to hear your preferences- it tells so much about a person and you will find that most people are very particular about their drinks. We have a lot of tea and coffee connoisseurs in this crowd!

And thank you and welcome to those of you who are new to the blog and either found me through the CNN article or elsewhere- It's lovely to meet all of you.

To answer some of your questions:

Dee J- the cup and strainer I use in the video I purchased from Bird Pick Tea & Herb in Santa Monica. I get most of my tea from there. That is also where I got the tin canisters to store the tea. But I believe you can get this cup/ strainer combination at most coffee shops- just have a look in their retail section.

LR- the premiere of Downton Abbey was sooooo good :) It's going to be a great season!

Josephine- I would love to know how you make your coconut rice milk- that sounds delish!

More Skinny Days- Thank you for the recipe- that sounds great for breakfast

Carole Poirot said...

Looks and sounds really good. I do like Rooibos tea, so I might have to try it out. My morning drink is simple black coffee - nothing added, just the French blend with some chicory. Bisous xo

Anonymous said...

PS to you Downton fans - There is a fantastic write-up and pix spread in the February 2012 Town & Country magazine of Downton Abbey's backdrop, Highclere Castle, and it's current residents. Also peppered in are glossies of the cast and lush interiors.
Amusez-vous bien!