This is the Lupicia Adagio. The name “adagio” means “slowly” in Italian and is also a musical direction meaning “play gently”, reflecting the tea’s intended association with a relaxed moment accompanied by a refreshing breeze.
The dry leaf presented as a blend of green rooibos with lemongrass, grapefruit peel and cardamom pods, with a fresh citrus aroma supported by lightly spiced cardamom.
Consumed hot and prepared using 3 g of loose leaf infused in 200 mL of just-boiled water for 5 minutes, the infusion presented with a transparent golden-yellow hue with an orange cast. Aroma opened with refreshing citrus and lightly spiced floral notes, with cardamom immediately apparent.
Initial contact delivered mild floral and citrus notes, with the cardamom providing a distinct aromatic spice without becoming dominant. Through the mid-palate, the green rooibos developed a warmer, earthier floral character, while the cardamom broadened into a cool, minty freshness reminiscent of eucalyptus.
Towards the finish, the brighter grapefruit citrus and minty cardamom gradually receded, leaving a lingering freshness over the more earthy green rooibos. The finish remained mild and clean, with the herbal character providing continuity after the brighter opening.
Overall, a green rooibos blend with a layered citrus-to-earthy progression and light, clean mouthfeel, resulting in a refreshing yet gently warming structure. The combination of grapefruit and cardamom provided the strongest contrast, while the green rooibos gave the infusion a softer, more grounded finish. It was also suited to cold-brewed iced tea, using 10 g in 1 L of water overnight.
This Lupicia Adagio contained 50 g. The tea was sourced from South Africa, packaged in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2025.