Ricola Instant Herbal Tea (Ricolatee)

Well, I had managed to avoid getting a cold all winter, but the recent wild temperature swings here brought on a full-blast case of coughing, fever and other unpleasant things, which came to a climax over the weekend. Thankfully I had my cans of Ricolatee (Ricola Tea).

All around the world, Ricola is mainly known for its herbal cough drops, made from "Swiss mountain herbs". In Switzerland itself though, it's arguably better known for its range of instant herbal teas, of which the original flavor is my favorite. I don't know why instant tea granules haven't caught on everywhere yet. I know tea bags are easy, but granules are easier, especially when you're so sick and miserable that even lifting a teaspoon to stir your cup seems like a big chore.

Some years ago, when my then-boyfriend (who later became the DH) visited me in New York, he went out on a cold October day for an all-day session of photographing the city with his Hasselblad, and came back with a streaming cold that turned into a quite bad one. Delirious with a fever, he kept moaning in a pitiful voice about wanting Ricolatee. It didn't matter what other herbal teas I gave him, only Ricola would do. (Incidentally, in my experience the two peoples who have an unshakeable belief in the innate superiority and high quality of goods produced in their own country are the Japanese and the Swiss.)

I guess it's understandable, because Ricola Tea is really delicious and refreshing. It also has, in its granulated instant form, tons of sugar, which can only make you feel better when you can't stomach any real food. It is said to have at least 13 beneficial herbs in it, though the predominant one is peppermint. It calms down a cough nicely though, so I'm continuing to drink it now at my desk.

Another benefit is that the bright green can it comes in is very cute. It makes a great present from Switzerland in lieu of the usual chocolate and cow bells.

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