We picked up this Minami Aso Tea House Nonbiri Rirakksu just as the stores in Sakuramachi Kumamoto were closing for the evening that the shop staff who tempted us with an initial sample also escorted us out to the exit with typical Japanese omotenashi.

The herbal infusion is recommended for relaxation and consisted of a blend of apple, rosehip, honeybush, linden, hibiscus, dandelion, mallow blue and stevia leaf.

Infusing 3 g of the loose-leaf in 200 mL of water at 98°C for 5 minutes, the infusion was a transparent orange colour with a bright sweet and slightly acidic aroma of red grapes. Consumed hot, the notes of red grape with an enjoyable hint of acidity start the sip — despite there being no grape in the herbal blend whatsoever — before the more earthy notes of honeybush emerged in the body. Pleasantly, the acidity of usual rosehip and hibiscus is well restrained, bringing just enough to balance the sweetness from the stevia leaf and apple pieces for a refreshing non-caffeinated beverage.

This Minami Aso Tea House Nonbiri Rirakksu contained 60 g. It was packed in Japan and purchased in Kumamoto, Japan in 2019.