Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  The Tea Spot

Tisane Description:

Our blend of naturally caffeine–free South African red rooibos, vanilla, and almond bits is an herbal delight! Rooibos is full of antioxidants and healthy minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and fluoride. It has a wonderfully smooth flavor, and is a great cold buster as well as thirst quencher. It brews into a dark red liquor and has a naturally sweet, earthy scent, reminiscent of pipe–tobacco. You cannot over–steep this tea (the longer the better!) and it is fantastic by itself, or with cream and a bit of sweetener. Red Rocks is the perfect, healthy, all-around herbal tea – a favorite amongst athletes and as mom’s choice for children.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

I had been hearing some good things about this rooibos blend over on Steepster, so I knew I had to try it … even if it IS rooibos!

The aroma of the dry leaf is pretty much what you might expect from rooibos:  sweet and earthy, with nutty notes (which are further highlighted by the almond) and hints of wood and tobacco.  I can also smell the vanilla.  The brewed tea smells warm and inviting, like sweet nutty muffins fresh out of the oven.

This is really quite tasty.  With most rooibos blends, I’m usually happy if the taste of the rooibos is masked or obscured by the other ingredients, because the flavor of rooibos just isn’t my favorite.  But here, The Tea Spot did something a little different, something that I find every once in a while in a rooibos blend … but not often.  Here, The Tea Spot utilized the ingredients to highlight the nutty flavors of the rooibos – and they did it well!

The almond and the natural nutty tones of the rooibos work very well together, enhancing the almond notes and adding depth to the overall cup.  The vanilla not only softens the cup, but also sweetens it and manages to marry with the sweetness of the rooibos so that it doesn’t have that funky aftertaste that I so dislike.  Instead, I just taste a sweet, lingering note of vanilla together with a delicate nutty taste.

This is a very good rooibos blend – one I’d recommend to those who generally do not like rooibos.  The flavors here work so magnificently together to create a deliciously smooth cup that is cozy and comforting when served hot, and a tasty, refreshing treat when served iced.

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Shanti Tea

Tisane Description:

This herbal blend is an exciting combination of herbs and spices. It embodies the smells and flavours of the African festival season and piques all of your senses creating an experience that walks a fine line between excitement and relaxing escape.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

I know I’ve said it before, but, I prefer green rooibos over the oxidized, red variety.  The green rooibos (which is not oxidized) has a fresher, fruitier flavor that I really enjoy.  Unfortunately, there really are so few green rooibos blends out there … at least when compared to the red rooibos blends.  So when I saw that this rooibos blend from Shanti Tea was a green rooibos blend, I was very pleased.

While Shanti Tea does not go into details on their website about the ingredients of this blend, I can see large rose petals, chunks of citrus peel and pieces of dried fruit in there amongst the needle-thin green rooibos leaves.  It brews to a golden color that’s full of fruit flavor!

The citrus notes are prominent, and they add a certain brightness to the cup, as well as a tangy taste that offers a nice contrast to the sweeter fruit notes of peach and apple.  I taste the floral notes as well, starting out with a very soft rose flavor at the start of the cup, and by the time I’ve reached mid-cup, the rose becomes a little more focused.

Overall, I’d describe this cup as a deliciously fruity, lightly sweet cup – very enjoyable!  It is a tisane that I think kids would really like because of its sweet, nectar-y like taste, and because it’s naturally caffeine-free you won’t have to worry about it keeping them over-stimulated … and they certainly don’t need that!

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Rooibos Suite

Tisane Description:

Chocolate and pineapple waft gently through premium rooibos. A light nutty finish.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

At first, I found this tisane to be slightly disappointing.  It tasted like pure rooibos, not a chocolate and pineapple flavored rooibos which is what I was looking forward to trying!  However, after about two sips, the chocolate and pineapple emerged.

This is really quite good … not disappointing at all!

While I would like for there to be more chocolate (but then, is there EVER enough chocolate?), there is a pleasant amount of chocolate-y flavor and I like the creaminess that the chocolate flavor brings to the cup.  The same is true for the pineapple, I should like to have a slightly stronger pineapple note, but, I like the way the pineapple brightens the overall flavor of the tisane.

The rooibos, which was quite prevalent in the first couple of sips, seems to taken a back seat to the chocolate and pineapple notes now.  I do taste notes of nutty flavor from the rooibos, and this melds quite nicely with the chocolate-y flavor.

An enjoyable cup, one that requires just a bit of patience from the sipper, but, that patience is rewarded.

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Shanti Tea

Tisane Description:

Inviting and rich, the warm smell of chocolate greets you as you open the tin and settle in for a cup tea. A rich and smooth blend of Rooibos and cacao, this tea is a refined take on the comforting feeling of sipping hot chocolate on a cold day.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

YUM!  This is so rich and chocolate-y that it even manages to satiate the chocoholic in me!  And trust me, that’s not easy to do!  It tastes LOTS of chocolate … and this tisane has got it!

It is rich and chocolate-y with hints of cacao bitterness.  It’s a bittersweet chocolate taste, but the emphasis would be on the SWEET rather than the bitter, in my opinion.  If you prefer milk chocolate, this would go nicely with a splash of milk, but I would recommend steeping it at double strength first so that you don’t lose any of this magnificent flavor.

The rooibos base is barely discernible amid all this chocolate-y flavor, but, I do taste some of the hints of wood and the distinct nutty tones of the rooibos.  But mostly what I taste is CHOCOLATE … so much chocolate in fact that I think that this just may be the most chocolate-y rooibos blend I’ve yet to encounter.  And that’s saying something, because I’ve tried quite a few chocolate rooibos blends.

If you’re an insatiable chocoholic like me, try this tisane.  You’re going to love it!

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Fusion Tea Room

Tisane Description:

The wonderful thing with Rooibos is that it compliments just about any flavor. Same as true with blueberries. Of course we only use real blueberries. Then for a smooth finish we added yogurt granules. Naturally caffeine free so it can be enjoyed anytime of the day.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

I am so very happy with this tisane for a couple of reasons.

First, I was happy to find that there is NO hibiscus in this blend.  It seems that hibiscus is added to many – far TOO many – berry tisanes to enhance the natural tartness of the berry.  I am glad to see that Fusion Tea Room chose not to follow the trend of adding hibiscus to berry blends with this delicious dessert tea.

Second, I am happy with this blend because it IS delicious.  The blueberry flavor tastes sweet with just a hint of tartness, and it is very true to the berry’s flavor.  That is to say … this TASTES like real blueberries.  It doesn’t taste artificial.

The yogurt adds a creamy element to the cup that complements the blueberry, as well as a tangy note that gives the sweeter flavors of this cup some contrast.  The rooibos base adds a light earthiness to the cup, but the rooibos flavor doesn’t become too strong here, allowing the focus to remain on the sweet, juicy blueberry flavor.

This is such a delightful tisane.  It is sweet and indulgent enough to satisfy those sweet cravings … and makes a delicious dessert, any time of the day.

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Kally Tea

Tisane Description:

Healthy nutrient packed Rooibos combined with almonds, mallow flowers and natural flavors create this cup reminiscent of fondant (or also known as Marzipan). Are we sitting in a South African Café? As you sip this flavor balanced Rooibos almond treat, it will seem as though you are. What a joy to drink either hot or iced. This Rooibos is a great accompaniment to any dessert delicacy.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

Once again, Kally Tea delivers what it promises with its alluring tea names.  The name of the tea is Almond Fondant, and this tastes a lot like almond fondant (or marzipan!)

This tisane has a rooibos base, and while rooibos is not usually my favorite herb, in this case, I find that the natural flavors of the rooibos actually work to the benefit of the tisane.  The natural nutty flavor of the rooibos accents the almond notes very nicely, giving the cup a very delicious, nutty flavor.

There is some sweetness to this cup as well, and I’m very pleased with the balance of sweet and earthy tones.  There is also a light creaminess to this, and I don’t know if that comes from the almond flavor or if there is a vanilla flavoring in this as well.  But, I find that this creaminess takes the other flavors to the next level, giving it that fondant-like flavor.

This is a very tasty dessert tisane, and I like that it’s naturally caffeine-free, making it an excellent late-night treat that you can indulge in with no guilt, because there’s zero calories!

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Honeybush & Rooibos

Where to Buy:  World Spice Merchants

Tisane Description:

Chaider is sure to take off the chill with its original blend of Star Anise, Tellicherry Peppercorns, Cassia Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves, Green Cardamom Pod and Seed, Honeybush and Rooibos. Serve it steeped as you would tea, or in warmed apple cider.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

This is a very tasty tisane from World Spice Merchants.  It does indeed have a flavor that is reminiscent of hot spiced cider, all that’s missing is the apple!  Then again, it is a little different from a typical cider.  This has a strong licorice-like flavor to it that gives it a sharpness and a sweet flavor and gives this its own unique flavor.

I’ve had this twice now, and the first time I steeped it, I steeped for ten minutes using a little too much leaf – about 2 heaping teaspoons per 8 ounces, which is about the normal amount for me when I make a chai blend, as I usually plan on diluting it with steamed milk to make a latte.

However, I didn’t make it a latte, so I had a very strong-tasting tisane, and I think it was a bit too strong, especially after tasting my second cup which I steeped for about 8 minutes and used  1 1/2 teaspoons per 8 ounces instead of the 2 heaping teaspoons.  This made a big difference in the taste, and I found the second cup to be much more palatable.

The anise flavor is quite strong with this tisane, and as I am a fan of anise, I don’t have a problem with that.  However, if you’re not a licorice or anise fan, this is not the tisane for you.  The other spices are nicely balanced, and the cinnamon and anise complement each other very well.  But this isn’t too cinnamon-y which is something I often find with cider-like teas or tisanes, and I like that I can taste the other spices here.

I can also taste the rooibos and honeybush, and they bring a nice, woody tone to the background.  Normally, I am not a fan of the woody flavors of these herbs (especially rooibos) but it works here, because of the overall rustic quality of this tisane.

A nice, warming tisane for these chilly early spring evenings.

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Talbott Teas

Tisane Description:

Your own private renaissance, this delightful twist on the English classic opens your eyes to endless possibilities. A delicately aromatic, naturally caffeine-free rooibos tea made with bergamot orange essence and blue cornflower blossoms.

Ingredients
All natural premium ingredients: rooibos, cornflower petals & bergamot flavor.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

As much as I love Earl Grey and its many variations on this classic tea blend, I tend to find myself skeptical of bergamot flavored rooibos blends.  Perhaps that’s because I’m not as fond of rooibos as I am of other tea/tisane bases, and I worry that the flavor of the rooibos is going to interfere with my beloved bergamot.

But that doesn’t happen with this Earl Grey Enchantment from Talbott Teas.  The rooibos flavor is there, but, it is not a strong or overwhelming flavor, and it doesn’t throw off the bergamot flavor.  It has a soft nutty flavor in the background, with a sweetness that offers a compelling contrast to the tangy citrus tones of the bergamot.

In fact, this tastes suprisingly quite a bit like an Earl Grey tea … even without the black tea base.  It doesn’t have that deep, rich flavor of the black tea, of course, but, the rooibos provides some earthiness to the background to offer a solid flavor.  This doesn’t taste thin or wispy.  It’s quite satisfying, and that’s something I don’t often say about rooibos!

Very well done, Talbott Teas!

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Tulsi & Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Fusion Tea Room

Tisane Description:

A wonderful soothing cup to end a stressful day. The tulsi base calms the stress and has many health benefits that the traditional black tea version does not have. Naturally caffeine free this is especially beneficial as an evening drink.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

Normally, I wouldn’t consider a spiced tea to be a “soothing” cup with which to de-stress.  But, this truly is a wonderful and soothing cup, just as the description suggests.

The flavors are very calm and gentle.  Even the spice notes have their own sense of calmness to them.  This is the kind of tisane you want to curl up to on a chilly autumn or winter evening … and it would be especially nice to have on hand when one is feeling under the weather as I am finding it to be quite soothing to my throat.  I’m not sick, but I am experiencing my allergies which begin in the late winter/early spring, and they begin with an itchy throat – and I’m finding this to have comforting effect.

Typically, with these orange spice teas/tisanes, they are very heavy on the cinnamon.  So, I was surprised (pleasantly so) when the cinnamon was more subtle here, allowing the flavors of the other spices to come through.  That is not to say that the cinnamon is not well-pronounced because it is; it just is not the main event.  It doesn’t overpower the rest of the spices. Instead, it offers a pleasing warmth that is neither too spicy nor too bland.  I like that I can taste each of these spices, as well as a hint of mint from the Tulsi.

The rooibos has a warm, nutty flavor to it.  Lightly fruity, it accents the flavor of the orange very nicely.  The orange is sweet yet tangy, and I can taste an ever-so-slight apple-y note here as well which serves as more of a sweetness in the distance than anything else.

Overall, this tisane has a mild, delicious flavor that kids as well as adults can enjoy.  This is one that I do recommend keeping on hand for when the family has the sniffles – it will bring soothing relief to the aching throats … and it’s much tastier than a cough drop!

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Tisane Description:

Real freeze-dried cranberries and blackberries in a blend with caffeine-free African rooibos. I may be partial to honeybush, but I’m pretty confident that rooibos was MADE for a blend like this. I’m sitting here with a big icy tumbler full of this and it is delicious. It’s renewing my faith in rooibos.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

My first reaction to this after my initial sip:  Tart!  I needed to add just a little turbinado sugar to this to help curb the tartness.  However, with just half a teaspoonful of sugar, I find that it softens that tart edge just enough for my taste buds.

Actually, I find that with that little bit of added sugar, this becomes quite a tasty tisane.  Not too sweet, pleasantly tart, and full of delicious fruit flavor.  The flavor of the rooibos is barely noticeable here, just a mere hint of nutty tones in the background, and a slight woody undertone.

I really like the fruit combination of cranberry and blackberry.  They go together very well, and this combination just seems to work with the rooibos.  Rooibos isn’t my favorite thing as many of you probably know … but I find this combination not just drinkable, but rather enjoyable.

I tried this tisane both hot and iced, and found it to be tasty served either way, although my preference is chilled.  The tartness wanes even more as it cools.  This afternoon, we experienced some unseasonably warm weather (or perhaps, it was just evidence that the warmer weather is on it’s way) … I enjoyed this over ice during the warmest part of the day – it was up to a whopping 55° which may not seem very warm, but when you take into consideration that earlier this week we had SNOW … I’d call 55° warm! – and it was very refreshing.