Tea

Yes redbush ("rooibos") is the tea that Alexander McCall Smith has woven into his stories. It is widely popular all over Southern Africa. It is naturally caffeine free, quite an acquired taste. I can only drink it with no milk and a bit of honey. It is also used as a digestive soother; and there is a whole range of rooibos baby products and beauty products too.

For Christmas my SIL bought me a selection of Whittard teas. Some lovely blends but my favourite is the Orange Pekoe. Delicious flavour and with a slight zing. Yum! Their original blend is very enjoyable too if you like a strong flavour, which I do.

I drank only tap water during January to raise awareness and sponsorship for WaterAid which provides clean safe water and hygiene facilities for those without them. I have mainly avoided caffeine for several years for medical reasons.

At 12.15am on 1st February I had a low calorie hot chocolate, it was ok.

Next morning I had a decaff coffee (I like Aldi Gold, no I really like it, it's not just the price!) that was all right too.

Later I had Redbush and realised what drink I had truly missed in January - it was delicious, comforting, and refreshing. I enjoy it with or without milk and my son has given up coffee for Redbush without milk.

The glass of wine I had last week was good too - and kind friends and family donated almost £200 to WaterAid. Now I'm wondering whether I can give up chocolate for March ...

I like to buy my Assam and fruit teas from Aldi, not tried the coffee. They do have some fantastic stuff in there.

I clicked on this thread expecting a delicious discussion on cakes. I do drink an occasional cup of tea but don't care what sort or how it's made. It's the cake which matters!

Apricot
There you are! Does that make you feel better?

I am constantly in search of a refreshing hot drink, so am grateful for all the ideas here. I cannot stand 'ordinary' tea, especially not with milk in it, and I am fed up with coffee. I like some fruit teas, but am tempted by the liquorice and the redbush, so will try them both. Thank you all.

Tetley decff. I like weak tea with no sugar and some lactofree milk. One teabag lasts me all day so only 365 per year just for me. Of course more is used for family and friends. I have decaff coffee with no sugar or milk one cup mid morning sometimes never anymore. I'm cheap to maintain!!

I've tried more expensive teas but I always go back to Tesco original - can't beat if for that morning cuppa.

I really should be more adventurous in my tea drinking- I like my tea very weak (which horrifies my mother and DD!) and generally only drink coffee

Talking of liquorice (?), is there any widely available that isn't soft, too much aniseed or too much black treacle? The tea is good.

Tetley is my favourite ordinary tea only I don't like it too strong. I haven't had orange pekoe for a long time but it is nice slightly different flavour. I do like earl grey sometimes with milk sometimes with lemon. I also like green tea

Used to drink Earl Grey but now only redbush - Tick Tock variety. Tried the Tetleys, it's horrible. I do not, however, take milk in any tea, so I don't know what redbush would be like if you put milk in it. Can't drink ordinary tea, it makes me want to throw up!