Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Teas & Botanicals
Tea Description:
Originally designed as a loose leaf ice tea blend, but great served either hot or iced. Blend of three flavored black teas producing sophisticated nectar with hints of cinnamon and citrus.
Learn more about this blend here.
Taster’s Review:
When I hear (or read) the word “Ambrosia,” a very distinct image pops into my head. That of a fruit salad composed primarily of canned fruit, fresh sliced bananas, coconut shreds and mini marshmallows, all mixed together with a tub of Cool Whipped Topping to create a very fruity, sweet, white cloud of a salad that I would devour eagerly as a youngster during family gatherings. An ambrosia salad was certainly at most of these family gatherings, especially if my stepmother was hosting it.
So when I received this tea, that is immediately what I though of. But I must say, this doesn’t taste much like the ambrosia salad that I remember as a kid… this actually tastes better. It’s not quite as cloyingly sweet as the salad was, and while I do still have a sweet tooth as an adult, I do like the sweet flavors to be balanced with something to temper it. This tea provides that balance – with a taste that is sweet from the various fruit flavors, but, also a little something more. The cinnamon gives it a little bit of warmth and contrast, as does the black tea.
And with so many fruit flavors going on, one might thing that the black tea base might be a bit overpowered, but it isn’t. It is the strongest flavor, the first flavor that I noticed with my first sip, and each sip that has followed. It is a good, solid tasting black tea, not overwhelmingly strong and not a lot that stands out about it, except that it is pleasant and nicely round.
I taste the apricot flavor probably more than any other fruit note in this, and it is a smooth, sweet kind of taste. The orange seems to come through toward the tail end of the sip, and seems to linger on through the aftertaste. The other fruits seem to meld together in the background, offering more of a combined “fruit” flavor rather than several individual flavors, sort of like “fruit punch” tastes like a medley of assorted fruits rather than one distinct fruit flavor.
The cinnamon is blended skillfully here. Too much cinnamon and you’d end up with another of those cinnamon-orange type of teas with the majority of the other fruit flavors overpowered by the strength of the cinnamon. Too little and well … it wouldn’t be noticeable in the midst of the many fruit flavors. But here, it’s just right. It offers just enough gentle, warm flavor to the cup to perk up the flavor; to give it just a little bit of pizzazz without going overboard.
As this tea cools, I notice that the fruit notes begin to emerge stronger – not as individual fruit notes, but more of the combined fruit flavor that I discussed previously. The cinnamon emerges a little more also, but, still maintains its gentle presence and never becomes too strong.
Overall, a very enjoyable cup, makes for a lovely afternoon cuppa, it would be equally as nice served over ice on a hot summer afternoon (like today!) as it is served hot. In fact, I am allowing the rest to cool so that I can indeed enjoy this iced – because I’m wanting some cool liquid refreshment – this might just be the thing I need!
Summer Fruit Ambrosia Tea from Monterey Bay Spice Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Monterey Bay Spice Company
Product Description:
Summer Fruit Ambrosia smolders in the cup, a powerful and stimulating fruit tea that helps to slim the body and maintain alertness in the mind! At the heart of this fruit tea is safflower, whose vibrant red petals not only add colour, but also bring essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to the infusion! Coupled with a robust black tea, this beverage is truly a “food of the gods!”
Taster’s Review:
When I think of “ambrosia,” I am reminded of the family gatherings at my gramma’s house on the 4th of July and other summertime occasions (or sometimes, no special occasion at all!) Gramma would prepare a meal for us – picnic style – that we would all enjoy out on the patio. One dish that was sure to appear at any such gathering would be ambrosia salad: a concoction of fresh and/or canned fruits mixed with mini marshmallows and whipped topping. I don’t really care so much for ambrosia salad now (it’s a bit too sweet for my liking), but when I was a kid, it was a bit like heaven in a bowl!
Well, take away the marshmallows and whipped topping, and add some black tea, and you’d have the tea that I’m enjoying right now. And I do like this better than I like ambrosia salad (sorry gramma!) because it isn’t cloying.
This is sweet, but it’s a nice level of sweetness. The fruit tones are pleasant and delicious, although they are a bit muddled. It is difficult to distinguish any individual type of fruit note – rather, it tastes a bit like a fruit punch.
The black tea is a delicious and strong black tea. It has a nice level of astringency – astringent but not too drying. It leaves the palate feeling clean, allowing this taster to enjoy the sweet aftertaste.
Overall, I find this to be quite an enjoyable tea, one that will certainly be a staple these warm months – because it tastes GREAT iced! My daughters love it too.