Growing up in a multi-ethnic household that includes parts of Asia, the one thing we always had on supply in the household was tea. It’s something that I’ve carried with me into adulthood. At any given time, you can open a cupboard in the kitchen and there will be at least a dozen types available. And that’s not including the contents of a small tea chest on the counter top.
I prefer loose leaf tea, partly because of the waste factor of tea bags. However, I’ve yet to find the perfect diffuser—one that doesn’t allow loose leaves to escape but it also easy to clean—especially when it comes to the finer types of tea like mate or rooibos. (If you’ve found one, please do your your tea aficionado duty and let me know where in the comments.)
Photo credit: CoffeeGeek from Flickr
On a recent trip to Toronto, I was very excited to try a red espresso latte (made from red rooibos) which I’d heard about from being a tea geek. I was instantly hooked.
Shortly after tweeting about my new found warm beverage love, the kind people at red espresso sent me a sample of their product.
If you’ve had rooibos tea before you’ll know that it’s kind of messy. Not so when you make an espresso. It’s exactly the same process as making the coffee version and the “grinds” simply get compressed into an easy to clean block. It’s great on its own but my favourite way of drinking it is still in latte form.
With lots of people cutting back on or quitting coffee, red espresso is a great alternative. It’s also a nice change for tea drinkers to get the experience of an espresso without the caffeine. That’s right. There’s no caffeine. Additionally, it’s high in antioxidants and I find that no sweetener is required (unless you want to use a dab of honey). Unfortunately, there’s only one café in the city that serves red espresso. The Wired Monk gets extra points for that distinction.
Personally, I’m looking forward to concocting a red espresso eggnog latte for the holidays. Maybe that sounds better in theory than it will in practice but I’m willing to bank on it being pretty yummy.
Kimberly Walsh is a social media and online community manager. You can follow her on Twitter @AliasGrace.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
The Wired Monk remains one of my favourite spots in the city for MANY reasons. Way to point out one that I didn’t even know!
Thanks for your ongoing support Ben…
Spread the Rooibos word!
Brad Peters
CEO & Founder, Wired Monk Coffee Bistros
I need to try this!
Considering what a coffee girl I am, I can’t believe I’ve never been to the Monk. This is what happens when you live in the suburbs. Dammit.
Please do Jaime and let us know what you think. We’re sure you will love the beverage as well as the Wired Monk experience.
Cheers!
Brad Peters
CEO & Founder, Wired Monk Coffee Bistros
Ben: Let me know what you think!
Jaime: I know what you mean. Living in the suburbs has it’s advantages but, for the most part, interesting spots to eat/drink aren’t among them.
Shelagh: Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll have to find one of those pots.
Brad: Thanks so much for dropping by the blog! Looking forward to tasting a redespresso latte at the cafe soon. Yummy!
I’ve been drinking Rooibos for years. My neighbor is from South Africa and every time she came back she would bring me a box. Now it is available everywhere:) I will definitely try Red Esspresso!
I have an insulated Paderno teapot with a very fine mesh insert for tea that is fantastic. I think it would work for you.
I LOVE the Wired Monk – their food and drinks are amazing (and considering I’ve partaken – is that a word? – of almost every coffee shop in the city at least once, I should know (I’m a coffee fiend). I’m very curious about this red espresso and will have to try it next time I’m there. It’s funny you tagged this with “Tassimo” too because I’ve been thinking of getting one. Do you have one?
To my knowledge,Wisdom of the Ancients is a quality brand. They have one of the few pure unflavored rooibos herbal teas available. Admittedly, I have not tried rooibos yet, but since I have learned alot of amazing things about it, I have thought about it, and this would be the brand I would try. They have mate too, even mate sweetened with stevia!
Anyway, happy healthy drinking!