Marzipan Blend - Saint Nicolas Tea

Make the Sinterklaas party even more enjoyable with this special Sinterklaas tea: Marzipan Melange rooibos tea. It is a flavored mix of rooibos and fruit with marzipan and nuts.

What does Marzipan Melange taste like?

Marzipan Melange is a blend based on rooibos to which almonds, rose leaf and coconut chips have been added. Rooibos itself has a mildly sweet fragrance and flavour that is somewhat reminiscent of honey and vanilla. The rose leaf enhances the hint of vanilla that you will recognize in Marzipan Melange.

The almond in Marzipan Melange naturally evokes the flavour of marzipan, which is enhanced by the vanilla. The mild coconut gives just that little bit extra, giving this rooibos tea a spicy character.

What is marzipan?

Marzipan is made from ground almonds and sugar. By mixing these two elements, a kind of almond dough is created. Of course, marzipan is used to make candies. Just think of the marzipan pigs or potatoes. It is also often used to decorate pastries and cakes. Marzipan resembles almond paste, but because it contains more sugar and fewer almonds, it has a finer structure than almond paste.

Originally, marzipan comes from the Far East. It was introduced to Europe in the Middle Ages and in the seventeenth century the delicacy became very popular in the Netherlands, especially during the Sinterklaas period. Sint-Nicolaas or Sinterklaas was then not only a friend of children but also a 'marriage broker'. Sinterklaas was the patron saint of children, unmarried women and lovers. Sinterklaas's name day falls on December 6. On this day, men gave a piece of marzipan to their loved one.

What is rooibos?

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is a plant of the legume family (Leguminosae). The plant is native to the Cederberg region (South Africa). When the plant is 1.5 years old, it can be harvested for the first time and after 10 years the bush is at its end and dies. The leaves of the plant are picked, pounded and placed in the sun for oxidation. In the last phase, the rooibos acquires its reddish-brown color. Rooibos contains no caffeine and little tannin and is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, calcium and iron.

Is rooibos tea?

Officially, rooibos is not a tea as it does not come from the tea plant (Camilia Sinensis). Actually it's an infusion. However, because rooibos is produced and drunk in practically the same way, it is sometimes called tea.

How to brew Marzipan Blend?

You can brew our rooibos Marzipan Melange in the same way as regular tea. Use 1 teaspoon of this blend (about 2 grams) for 1 cup of tea. For a teapot use 6-8 teaspoons. Then pour boiling water over the tea and let it steep for 5-8 minutes.

Rooibos contains no caffeine and hardly any tannins. As a result, the tea will not become bitter, even after steeping for a long time. You will also not suffer from astringency.

Does tea shop Het Kleinste Huis have more Sinterklaas tea with marzipan?

In addition to Marzipan Melange, tea shop 'Het Kleinste Huis' also has two delicious types of Sinterklaas tea in its collection. There is the Pepernoten Parody, a spicy rooibos melange including almonds, cardamom and pepper. There is also a Sinterklaas tea for black tea lovers. This is the Marzipan Feast. An elegant black tea blend flavored with almond bitter oil and almonds. The Sinterklaas tea range is available via our website, but also of course in our tea shop Het Kleinste Huis in the heart of Amsterdam.