Mystery Monday: Tisanes are Fatal

There is nothing better than curling up with a good Agatha Christie. If it stars Poirot then all the better. Poirot is infamous for his perfectionism, insights, and his odd taste in drinks. Much to the chagrin of his English friends, the persnickety yet indulgent Belgian detective begins every morning with a cup of hot chocolate instead of coffee or tea. He is also fond of the sweet blackcurrent juice, or sirop de cassis, which he often drinks and futilely offers to guests. Perhaps the most important of his favored libations, is the tisane, which he credits for the superiority of his grey cells, as well as with the ability to cure all ills.

Tisanes may be better known in Europe, but in California they are all but unheard of. I was surprised to come across a recipe for tisane in a cookbook I was looking through, and in an effort to improve upon my own grey cells, I boiled up a batch.

Tisane

Adapted from the New Mayo Clinic Cookbook, Serves 2

2 cups water

1 heaping Tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped

2 Tablespoons lime juice

2 Tablespoons fresh mint leaves, packed

2 Tablespoons honey

Slices of lime and sprigs of mint (to use as garnish)

Put the water, ginger, and lime into a small sauce pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and add the mint leaves and let the mixture steep for another 5 minutes. Strain into two teacups, add a Tablespoon of honey to each, garnish with a sprig of mint and a slice of lime.

I'm sure that Poirot would have approved of the honey sweetened beverage, with it's wholesome citrus bite and it's slow but strong ginger burn, a combination which I'm sure could obliterate any ailment. Personally, next time I would choose hot chocolate.