Review: Ricola Natural Herb Blend

200g instant (Lehmans.com, $7.95)

From the makers of the Swiss cough drops comes an instant dissolve herbal tea of sorts. Boasting a combination of a dozen some odd herbs (each handsomely illustrated on the package), preparation is as simple as combining the crystallized pellets and hot water. The end result is a drink akin to, for lack of any better comparison, a liquid candy cane.

Both smelling and tasting strongly of peppermint, none of the other herbs involved can really be distinguished. While I trust that Ricola has not forgotten to say, add the hysop or thyme, if your intentions were tasting them you should take your business elsewhere. For all intents and purposes, this is a peppermint flavored drink.

Along with this simplicity is a fair amount of sugar. With a content of 9.6 grams per serving of the stuff, this drink is very, very sweet. Though the instant dissolve formula is convenient, it prevents the removal of any of those grams, confining your options to either take the sugar or leave the drink entirely. That being said, if you don't mind sugar and peppermint, the taste is not all that bad.

I will admit that while going through a mild cold recently I found myself drinking this stuff on a regular basis. It does not contain the kind of potent strength to dissuade a truly treacherous sickness but the candy-like feel is soothing, particularly on a cold day. Depending on how sugar and peppermint factor into your personal belief system, Ricola Natural Herb Blend can either be a handy cold season friend or a menacing toothache disguised as an instant dissolve formula.