Lapacho Orange and Vanilla Tea by Tea & Coffee | Teatico
Overview
Lapacho bark gives this blend its backbone: an earthy, faintly smoky note from the inner bark of the Tecoma tree, native to South America, where it has been gathered and drunk by indigenous communities for well over a thousand years. Orange pieces and vanilla are layered on top, turning what could be a plain herbal cup into something closer to dessert, with citrus brightness meeting a rounded vanilla sweetness, a touch of cream, and a hint of honey.
In the cup, that citrus and vanilla sit alongside notes of cinnamon and pastry, while the lapacho keeps a gentle smokiness running underneath rather than taking over. Lapacho bark carries no caffeine, so this suits an evening pour or works as a stimulant-free alternative without feeling thin — the body stays full and satisfying rather than watery.
Steep for around seven minutes in freshly boiled water, using roughly a teaspoon per cup, then strain before drinking. The longer steep suits the bark, coaxing out its flavour without tipping into bitterness the way some herbal ingredients do. A slice of orange or a light dusting of cinnamon on top echoes what's already in the cup, and it pairs naturally with scones or a plain biscuit, since the vanilla and pastry character meet those flavours halfway.
