Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Local Coffee & Tea

Tisane Description:

Selby Select Rooibos Loose Leaf Tea is our custom blended Rooibos with orange peel and dried yogurt pieces. Created to celebrate the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, this is our perennial best seller. Each sip releases the aroma of sweet ripe oranges, followed by creamy notes on your tongue. You will think you are drinking Florida sunshine in a magnificently serene garden. Savor and enjoy!

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

I’ve had an interesting relationship with this tisane.  The very first time I tried it, I didn’t really care for it.  But the second time I tasted it, I questioned whether or not it was, in fact, the same tea that I had tried the first time around (I received the first sampling of this tea from a friend, the second I received as a sample direct from Local Coffee & Tea) because I was enjoying it.  It wasn’t knocking my socks off or anything, but, it was pleasant, and nothing at all like that first cup I had.

Since then, I’ve come to really like this tisane.  It reminds me very much of a creamsicle!

The orange flavor is bright and sweet, with just a hint of citrus tartness.  It is a very vibrant flavor and it is contrasted with the creamy taste of vanilla yogurt.  I think that yogurt was a perfect choice here (rather than using vanilla flavoring), because the yogurt is creamy without being too sweet.  The rooibos is sweet, as is the flavor of the orange, and I think that adding a vanilla flavoring would have resulted in a very cloying beverage.  As it is, though, everything tastes well balanced:  just enough tart, sweet, and tang to please the taste buds.

The rooibos doesn’t lend too much of its woody flavor to this cup, and that suits me just fine.  The rooibos does offer a warm nutty note to the cup that is especially apparent in the finish and aftertaste, and it melds nicely with the orange flavor.

This would make a remarkable iced tea in the summer – very refreshing and naturally sweet.  I guess I like this one after all!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Yerba Maté, Rooibos & Green Tea

Where to Buy:  Capital Teas

Tea Description:

A superior blend of green mate, rooibos, and green tea forms a perfect canvas for infusing the brilliant colors and flavors of chili peppers and mango. Inspired by Aztec recipes blending chili with fruits, we’ve also added a dash of coconut and an energizing pop of ginseng for the perfect combination. Try over ice for a spicy cold treat on hot days or enjoy its lingering warmth when brewed hot on a cold day.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

This tea has a lot going on, but, I’m enjoying the way the flavors come together.

The title suggests that this may be a spicy blend, but, it doesn’t start out that way.  A gentle warmth, perhaps, but, I really thought that this would be spicier right from the very first sip.  The spiciness gradually builds, starting with a gentle, cozy warmth and building to that spicy tickle that hits the back of the palate and throat.   By mid-cup, it is much spicier than at the start, and my palate is quite warm long after I’ve taken a sip.

I think that the sweetness of the mango counters the spicier notes of the chili … softening the blow, so to speak.  The mango adds a distinct sweetness, but this doesn’t taste overwhelmingly MANGO.  By mid-cup, though, the mango is much more distinguishable.  The coconut adds a creaminess to the taste as well, which seems to smooth out all the flavors and bring them all together into one unified flavor.  This is not a mango tea, or a chili tea, or a coconut concoction … it is a seamless beverage that offers pleasing notes of many different ingredients, like a treasure chest of flavor, offering many surprises along the way.

The background flavors are earthy, with barely-there notes of vegetation.  I don’t taste a lot of flavor from the Yerba Maté, green rooibos, green tea or even the ginseng as individual components, but, I do taste their collective input.  It becomes more of a medley of collected flavors rather than specific flavor notes that I can pick out and say “this is the Maté” or “this is the green tea.”

From the very first sips as a mild, intriguing set of tastes to the last drop where the flavors are zesty can even be categorized as hot … this is a very enjoyable cuppa.  I really like the way the flavors present themselves, a mass medley of tastes that allow the drinker to discover the various flavors.

Definitely a fun and creative cup!

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Supple Skin Boutique

Tisane Description:

Rooibos is caffeine free, rich in naturally occurring trace elements, and contains healthy amounts of Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Fluoride, Manganese, Zinc, Calcium, and Vitamin C. It also contains fair amounts of alpha-hydroxy acid, which is known to promote healthy skin.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

I have mentioned several times the fact that I’m not a particular fan of plain, unflavored rooibos.  That being said, I have found a significant difference in flavor between organic and conventionally grown rooibos, and I prefer organic.  In fact, while I do not usually enjoy unflavored, conventionally grown rooibos, I actually do enjoy unflavored, organic rooibos.

And, apparently, the consumption of rooibos is good for one’s skin, due to the fact that the South African herb contains alpha-hydroxy acids.  And that is a good reason to start drinking more rooibos… so if I am going to drink it, I want to enjoy it!  And I am enjoying this.  It’s not my favorite, but, it is tasty and a nice tisane to enjoy later in the evening, when I’m trying to limit my caffeine intake, as it’s a naturally caffeine-free tisane.

This unflavored rooibos from Supple Skin Boutique is nice, with a woody undertone and a pleasantly sweet, nutty overtone.  The “funky sweet aftertaste” that I sometimes mention when I write about rooibos is not as prevalent with this organic rooibos as it is with the conventionally grown rooibos, which is why I tend to prefer the herb to be organically grown.

A tasty way to achieve a healthy glow!

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Honeybush & Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Adagio Teas

Tisane Description:

Freddy’s a little creepy, goofy, and nutty – kind of like this blend of Honeybush and Rooibos Flavors.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

Over the past week or so, I’ve been trying to focus on some teas that could be considered “romantic” Valentine’s teas.  While I don’t think that I’d want to kiss Mr. Krueger, this custom blend created by my SororiTea Sister, Jennifer aka TeaEqualsBliss, is a delicious alternative to going mouth-to-mouth with Freddy.  It is a blend of Adagio’s honeybush orange, rooibos cinnamon apple, and rooibos almond.

While I am not always particularly fond of rooibos, I do like the combination of rooibos and honeybush together.  Somehow, when blended together, the honeybush softens the tames funky tasting rooibos.  The two taste better together than individually, in my opinion.

The orange flavor is the most distinct note in this cup, but it doesn’t overwhelm.  It is complemented by the apple, which softens the tangy citrus notes, and lends a very smooth sweetness to the cup.

The background is nutty and has a hint of woody undertones.  The nutty flavor is further accentuated by the almond flavor.  While it is not a particularly strong note, the cinnamon gives the overall cup some interest and depth.

A tasty tisane that can be enjoyed any time of day!

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

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.