Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Jennifer’s Tea Garden

Tisane Description:

Based in organic rooibos, this blend with an invigorating aroma and luxurious spices makes a full-flavored treat! Best with steamed milk. Naturally caffeine free.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review: 

My favorite winter-y tea is chai.  Not chai as in tea but chai as in the warm blend of spices combined with tea (or in this case, rooibos and honeybush!)  Nothing warms me up better than a delicious chai.

And this one is quite yummy!  The “usual” spices are all there:  cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and ginger.  In this blend, there are a couple of other spices too:  anise seed and fennel.  These two spices are not as noticeable in the flavor as they are in the aroma, but, they do add just a hint of licorice-y flavor to the cup which is really quite lovely.

One thing that is also a little unusual about this particular blend is that the ginger has a softer flavor than I’m used to with chai.  Yes, I can taste that peppery heat from the ginger, but it is more of a mild, gentle kind of heat.  It doesn’t have that prickly, peppery effect on the tongue that ginger sometimes has.

The biggest effect that the lighter ginger flavor has on this cup – at least, in my opinion – is that the flavor of the cloves and cardamom are really coming through very distinctly.  Especially the cardamom!  Citrus-y and exotic, and pleasantly soothing.

I’ve said before that I really like the combination of rooibos and honeybush together.  I find that the honeybush helps to curb some of the funkier flavors of the rooibos.  The result is a nutty flavor that is honey-sweet, and that’s what I’m tasting here.  It compliments the spice tones of this blend quite well.

Overall, a nicely balanced chai that is not too spicy or sweet, but, somewhere in between.  I brewed mine extra strong and then added a bit of steamed, frothed milk and it became a dessert-like treat.  Sweet and delicious, it didn’t even need honey!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Shanti Tea

Tisane Description:

Origin: South Africa
Certification: Organic
Ingredients: Green Rooibos, Lemon Peel, Lemon Myrtle, Calendula, Natural Essences
Naturally Caffeine-Free Herbal Tea

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I’ve tried a few different “lemonade” teas and tisanes over the last couple of years.  Some are stronger in lemon-y flavor than others.  This tisane started out rather subtle, but, as I continue to sip, the flavors have gotten more intense.  I like the way the flavors develop, getting the palate ready for the tart and tangy notes that are about to come.

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I prefer green rooibos over red rooibos.  The green rooibos has a lighter, fresher, fruitier taste to it than the sweet, woody and nutty flavor of the red rooibos.  Here, the green rooibos provides a pleasant fruity flavor and a hint of sweetness to the cup without overwhelming the cup with other flavors that distract from the lemony taste of this tisane.

The lemon myrtle and lemon peel add a sweet, slightly tangy lemon flavor without tasting too tart.  The tartness of this cup is most obvious in the aftertaste, where that tingly tangy taste lingers on the palate, as if I had just taken a sip of … well, of lemonade!

Overall, I’m finding this tisane to be bright, sunny lemon flavor that is sweet-tart and really enjoyable.  It is deliciously soothing served hot (and makes a great sore throat remedy too!) but it is even better served chilled … I think I’m going to stock up on this one as the weather turns warmer!  It’s something that my entire family (even those who don’t like tea!) will love.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Tea Forté

Product Description:

Classic spices familiar to chai drinkers evoke the aromas of the holidays in this crimson rooibos herbal.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Even though I’ve already tasted this tea and reviewed it, I received more of it as part of the Warming Joy Collection that I received, and enjoyed it so much that I decided to feature it again. 

Interestingly enough, when tasting it this time, it struck me as hauntingly similar to  the Vienna Cinnamon tea (also from Tea Forté) that I reviewed just recently.  Then, after reading through my previous review and the description and ingredients list on this tea, I realized that the cloves is what gives these two teas such a similar taste profile.

The overall flavor is sweet with a gentle, warming spice.  The lemongrass plays to the fruitier tones of the rooibos, and helps brighten the flavors.

I think I’m enjoying this more this time around than I did the first time I tried it.  It certainly has a comforting effect – it is warm and soothing – and it is a very welcome addition the the Warming Joy Collection!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black Tea & Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Téanzo 1856

Product Description:

Delight your senses with the tropical aroma of coconut blended with the flavors of chocolate and vanilla. Your palate will come alive with this union of black and rooibos teas.  The blending of the two teas, makes it a “half-caf” tea, since the rooibos portion doesn’t contain caffeine.

Ingredients:  Rooibos, black tea, cacao nibs, coconut, apple, and natural & artificial flavoring.

Taster’s Review:

This is delicious.  It is very well-balanced, with each flavor represented well without one ingredient attempting to overpower the others.

The first flavor I notice is the chocolate.  It is strong … and yes, the chocoholic in me says it could be stronger, but I think that the amount of chocolate here works well.  The coconut flavor sort of weaves its way in and out of the sip, providing it’s creamy sweet flavor.  There is but a hint of vanilla in this blend, but, it is just enough to accent the other flavors.

The black tea is a flavorful black tea – it isn’t particularly bold but it holds its own.  The rooibos are probably the least noticeable of the flavors in this cup, but that’s alright with me.  They do add a bit of nutty flavor to the background, but, really, what I think they do more than anything is help to lighten the overall cup.  I think that the rooibos displaces some of the black tea, which if it were stronger it would overwhelm the flavors of chocolate, coconut and vanilla.  The rooibos seems to be there to keep everything else in check.

A very pleasant tea that is light enough to enjoy any time of the day!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  The Persimmon Tree Tea Company

Product Description:

A rooibos base infused with succulent black currants, organic hibiscus and creamy white chocolate blossoms.

Taster’s Review:

The fragrance of the dry leaf is really nice, it isn’t TOO powerful, but, it has a delicious combination of berry and vanilla notes with a somewhat nutty background.  It smells like dessert!

I was about to steep this the way I normally would rooibos – that is, in boiling water for ten minutes.  Because the tannins are very low in rooibos, the flavor will intensify from the long steep time without becoming bitter.  However, upon closer examination of this tisane, I noticed the hibiscus.  And while rooibos blends can benefit from a long steep time, the longer hibiscus is steeped the more tart and syrupy it becomes.  And… I don’t like that.

So… I set the timer for six minutes instead.  And this resulted in a really lovely cuppa.  It is tart, but it isn’t too tart.  The tartness accents the berry flavor of the black currant well, while the white chocolate in the blend gives the cup a deliciously creamy, sweet note that helps to offset the hibiscus tartness so that it doesn’t become too overpowering.  The rooibos base is nutty and sweet, but, I am not getting that aftertaste that sometimes accompanies rooibos (a good thing!)

This is a skillfully blended tisane:  the flavors are well-balanced, and while it is sweet enough to serve as a dessert tea, it isn’t cloyingly so.  A very fun cup of tea any time of the day.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Tea Forté

Product Description:

A naturally-caffeine free blend with the taste of crisp sweet apples and the luscious warming of spices, for a cup reminiscent of Mom’s apple pie.

Ingredients:  rooibos, organic cinnamon, apple chunks, hibiscus, natural apple flavor, clove buds, natural cinnamon flavor, other natural flavors

Taster’s Review:

I’m ordinarily a little hesitant when it comes to rooibos blends based upon my past experience (now it is a few more years into the past than I care to admit to) with this herb.  But, to be honest, over the past few years, I’ve tasted more rooibos blends that I’ve truly enjoyed than those that I haven’t.  So, why hesitant?  I don’t know… it seems to be more or less an automatic response.

This has to be one of the very best rooibos blends that I’ve tried.  I can’t really taste much from the rooibos … what little I do taste is a slight woody/nutty character deep into the distant background.  Mere hints, nothing too strong, and none of that funky taste I often associate with rooibos.

This tastes so strongly of apples!  Like freshly picked apples that have been baked with autumnal spices and served warm.  YUM!  The thought of such a treat makes my mouth water … just like this tisane does.

The apple flavor is crisp and sweet with just a slight tartness to it, reminding me a bit of a Jonagold apple.  It is certainly more sweet than tart, and as the tisane in my cup cools slightly I notice more of a apple-cider-y kind of taste and texture to it.  It feels very smooth to the palate, and the spices are warm without being too spicy-hot.  Pleasant notes of sweet cinnamon and warm clove.

There is also hibiscus in this blend – which is definitely not one of my favorite herbals – but, here, the only thing I really notice from the hibiscus is the reddish hue of the tisane and a slightly thicker consistency (contributing to the aforementioned cider-like texture).  I don’t taste much of the signature tartness that hibiscus generally brings to the party, and that is certainly a good thing in my opinion.

I received this blend (and several others) as part of the Warming Joy Collection in the Petite Ribbon Box (as shown in the photo above).  This would make a most welcome (and delicious!) gift for the tea lover on your gift-giving list, or perhaps a perfectly charming hostess gift for the holiday parties you might be attending.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Product Description:

Here’s our caffeine-free African rooibos, blended with sweet, dried dates, walnuts and natural flavors, including a touch of natural butter flavor (just a little pat on your muffin)–and yes, this tea is still 100% vegan.

Taster’s Review:

This one scared me when I first opened the pouch, because the aroma of the dry leaf isn’t all that great.  But once the tisane is brewed, the smell becomes quite delicious.  It smells like freshly baked muffins!

I taste the date, I taste the walnut.  I can even taste a cake-y kind of flavor with a hint of butter.  So far, so good.  This tisane delivers what the name of it says it will.  And I can see where the rooibos melds with the other flavors to help build the muffin flavor.

Unfortunately, as I’ve said before, I’m not wild about rooibos.  However, when flavored/blended, more often than not, I can enjoy the tisane even though it’s rooibos.  Sadly, though, this happens to be one of those times when I can’t get past that rooibos flavor.  It’s just not working for me here.

Yes, 52Teas is still my favorite tea company, and I’m really glad that I got to try this blend.  This tisane DOES have all the flavors it suggests in its title, so it is what it says it is.  So if the idea of a Date Nut Muffin in a teacup appeals to you, then I hope you’ll try it for yourself (and if you do like it, please comment here, I’d love to have some positive remarks about this tea here!)

That being said, I can’t say I liked something if I didn’t, and I’m just not digging it.  I guess they all can’t be winners… and more often than not, 52Teas’ blends are winners with me.  This one just isn’t a win for me.  (Sorry Frank!)

Tea Type:
Rooibos

Where To Buy:
Tea Forte

Product Description:

rooibos, organic cinnamon, apple chunks, hibiscus, natural apple flavor, clove buds, natural cinnamon flavor, other natural flavors

A naturally-caffeine free blend with the taste of crisp sweet apples and the luscious warming of spices, for a cup reminiscent of Mom’s apple pie.

Tasters Review:

‘Tis the Harvest Season!  I thought I would celebrate with this time of year with this tisane from Tea Forte.

Harvest Apple Spice from Tea Forte smells like Cider and Cologne.

It steeps up rather dark!…not a VERY Dark Brown but Medium to medium-dark brown.

The spice is just enough and nice.  The apple is juicy, plump, and not overly tart.  The hibiscus is barely there and I am totally fine with that.

This is also part of Tea Forte’s WARMING JOY Gift Box.  I love the presentation of their gift boxes!  They are beautiful!

Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this one!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black Tea & Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Tea Addiction

Product Description:

Ingredients: Black tea, rooibos, cacao nibs, coconut, apple, and vanilla flavoring.

A unique blend of coconut scented black tea, smooth rooibos, cacao nibs, vanilla, and apple make Bountiful Black most pleasing to the palate.

The flavor is rich and sumptuous. Trust us when we say you’ll enjoy every delightful sip.

Taster’s Review:

Looking at the dry leaf of this tea, I wouldn’t have guessed that it is a black tea … it looks more like a rooibos blend than a black tea blend.  But, interestingly enough, it tastes more like a black tea blend than a rooibos blend!

In fact, the rooibos are not a strong, distinguished flavor in this blend.  Sure, I am able to discern the flavor of the rooibos, but, it isn’t nearly as apparent as the flavors of black tea, chocolate, coconut and even vanilla.

All of these flavors meld together very seamlessly.  It is difficult to determine where one ingredient ends and another begins.  What I taste is a medley of flavors that is sweet, rich and bold, with notes of chocolate, creamy coconut and vanilla, and a nutty flavor that rests in the background.

This has a sweetness all its own and doesn’t need additions, although if you wish to enhance the creaminess, a splash of milk will do just that.  This is a very decadent treat in a teacup, suitable to serve as a dessert tea, or anytime you’re craving something a sweet indulgence.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Culinary Teas

Product Description:

Spritely notes of raspberry come to the fore with light overtones of rooibos. A perfect raspberry jam finish.

Taster’s Review:

If you like raspberry, you’ve GOT to try this tisane!  It’s amazing how much this tastes just like the real thing!  If I didn’t brew it myself, I’d might have thought I was sipping on a warmed cup of raspberry juice.  I kid you not.

The flavor of the raspberry is very true to the fruit with it’s sweet, delicious flavor.  It even has that berry tingle toward the tail of the sip, a tartness that lingers a bit into the aftertaste, just as if I had popped a fresh raspberry in my mouth.  The only thing this rooibos blend hasn’t got is the raspberry seeds that usually get stuck in between my teeth … and I can’t really say that I’m missing that aspect of the raspberry.

The flavor of the rooibos is so faint that it is difficult to distinguish at times.  I can taste mere hints of the sweet, nutty flavor of the rooibos, and even less of the woody tones that I often taste in rooibos blends.  The woody tones do develop as I continue to sip:  as I am nearing the end of the cup, I notice them more now than I did with the first few sips.  There is none of that weird rooibos aftertaste from this either (another good thing!)

I recommend this to the raspberry fans out there.  This one’s a keeper!