Jasmine lemon tea: the hours it suits best

What it is

Jasmine Lemon Tea is 36,000d. Tea brewed from jasmine flowers with fresh lemon added — lightly sour, never heavily sweet. It is the easiest of the drinks on the menu to order: anyone can drink it, including people who do not get on with coffee. But there are hours when it fits better than others, and this page says so plainly.

When it suits

Morning, before the banh mi

Early on, with an empty stomach, a jasmine lemon tea wakes the mouth more gently than coffee does. The clean sourness settles things before a Thập Cẩm at 59,000d or a Chả Lát Chay at 53,000d. If morning coffee does not agree with you, this is the sensible substitute.

Through a hot midday

In the Saigon heat, a cold jasmine lemon tea quenches faster than hot coffee or a thick milk tea. Customers at the five XANH shops at midday — especially 2B Trần Hưng Đạo and 148B Đề Thám near the offices — order this more than anything else at that hour.

After something rich

After a Đậu Hũ Cay at 56,000d or a Thượng Hạng Premium at 75,000d there is a little oil left on the palate, and a mouthful of jasmine lemon tea clears it. The lemon does that job better than milk tea, which adds richness on top of richness.

Evening and night shifts

Jasmine lemon tea does not carry coffee's caffeine, so an evening glass will not leave you wired. Banh Mi XANH is open 24 hours and tea is brewed through the night. Night-duty staff and late-shift drivers often take one to go — cool, and easy on the stomach.

What to drink with each loaf

Jasmine lemon tea is not always the best answer. Depending on the loaf, another drink may suit better.

• Bơ Đường at 28,000d is gently sweet — black coffee at 35,000d balances it, or jasmine lemon tea if you want something light in the morning.
• Đậu Hũ Cay at 56,000d is spicy — jasmine lemon tea or nut milk bubble tea at 45,000d calms it.
• Thượng Hạng Premium at 75,000d is filling — take jasmine lemon tea or nut milk coffee at 45,000d, and skip anything very sweet.
• Thập Cẩm at 59,000d and Chả Lát Chay at 53,000d go with anything; pick by whether you want sharp and cool or sweet and creamy that day.

A note or two

Jasmine lemon tea is a light drink, with less energy in it than a brown sugar bubble tea. If you are cutting back on sugar, ask for it less sweet when you order. That is everyday information rather than medical advice — anyone on a particular diet should ask their own doctor or dietitian.

Ordering delivery

To have jasmine lemon tea delivered with a vegan banh mi, call 0923.183.183. Delivery is free on orders from 500,000d within 5km of the five shops: 38 Lê Thị Riêng, 15B Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, 2B Trần Hưng Đạo and 148B Đề Thám in District 1, and 210 Bùi Văn Ba in District 7. Open 24 hours, so someone takes the order at any time.

Quick questions

Is it very sweet?

No — the lemon comes through more than the sugar. If you want it lighter still, say so when ordering and it is made to suit.

Will it keep me awake at night?

No. It does not carry coffee's caffeine, so an evening or night-shift glass is fine.

What does it cost?

36,000d a glass, with a banh mi or on its own.

Does the ice melt on a long delivery?

Drink it within an hour or two of arrival for the best of it. Deliveries within 5km are quick, so the ice has usually not gone far.

Which shop is nearest for one?

There are five: 38 Lê Thị Riêng, 15B Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, 2B Trần Hưng Đạo and 148B Đề Thám in District 1, and 210 Bùi Văn Ba in District 7. All of them make it, all open 24 hours.

Can I order the tea without food?

Yes. Call 0923.183.183 for drinks alone; there is no requirement to add a banh mi.