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VApril 4,1974 PHOENIX Page 15'Herb,'she said teasingly/you're really my cup of tea.'BY GAYESIBIRSKYIn my last article %u201c CookingWhat Comes Naturally,\mentioned teas, which areavailable in health food storesand in some supermarket healthfood sections, and Americanwines which don%u2019t have chemicalpreservatives in them. There arein fact dozens of herb teas whichwould delight the palate of themost discriminating tea connoisseur. And some of them, tothe surprise of many peopletrying them for the first time,actually taste like tea!If you dip into a book writtenby a nutrition expert, or bysomeone who has opted for adifferent lifestyle from thesuccessful-executive type that isthe main base of our society, youwill often read how marvellousherb teas are for such and suchan ailment, which one to drink tosoothe a nervous stomach andso on. Drinking somethingbecause it is good for you is allvery sensible%u2014especially whenit doesn%u2019t actually taste nasty%u2014but it is a very dull reason fordoing anything. I have seen veryfew of the writers mention thatthese teas are delicious andsome of them have a fascinating,teasing flavor that seems to be alittle different each time youimbibe.One of the best known of theherb teas these days is rose hip.It is the color of burgundy and ina glass is beautiful to behold.Add a squeeze of fresh lemonand you have a marvellouslytangy beverage that is fragrantin winter when taken piping hot,and so refreshing in summerwhen taken ice cold. Add a sprigof mint for additional piquancy%u2014and if you prefer your drinks alittle on the sweet side, try somedate syrup. Hmmm, hmmmm! Oryou could mix in some lemongrass (that%u2019s right, grass) for thelemon tang and something more.Then there is mu tea%u2014nowthere's an exotic name probablyunfamiliar to regular Liptonquaffers. It is an intriguingcombination of leaves, flowersand fruit with liquorice root. It isthis latter which gives the impact. This is one that shouldnever be sweetened. And for atea which tastes more likeconventional black or greenteas, but without the sometimesmetallic, acidey flavor theydevelop when brewed to anystrength, there are verveine andcomfrey. They too, can be enjoyed hot or cold, with or withouthoney or lemon%u2014and again,lemon grass mixes very well withboth of these to give an interesting and enjoyable %u201c cuppa\well with anything Japan orChina or Twining's can offer.And here%u2019s a tip I picked upwhen living in Switzerland%u2014thatMecca of health foodaficionados. On a hot summer'sday, especially when you%u2019re hardat work proudly painting yournewly-acquired brownstone orstruggling to lay out that oldstyle brownstone garden, trythis refresher. Make some herbtea, and I find rose hip ideal fotthis,%u2014and add to it a little lightrose, enough to give a good tasteof the wine without drowningthe flavor of the tea (perhaps 3to 1). Drink it fairly hot and relaxfor half an hour in the shade. Iused to do this while haymakingin the mountains of the Swiss Romande%u2014drinking with myfeet in a cold mountain stream,under a shady tree. Don't drinkmore than one cup if you intendto continue working! It is relaxing!Whatever the occasion...Cater it with ServeSUPERB Custom CakesPARTY PLATTERS at every hom eFOR ANY SIZE GROUP or office p a rty !Delivered to your \hom e or o ffic e ! for just any dessert!!!\TR 5-1240 624-86%|)taadtli BflSKIH-ROBBIKS%u201c 1 22 M ontague St. M ontague & Henry StsWisdom & WarterssSpanish SherriesThese superb solera vintage sherries include a Delicate Cream, an Extra Am ontillado and a pale Fino - each an extraordinary value at only