Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Guayusa
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Product Description:
This is a very limited edition of our rain forest rocket fuel, Ecuadorian guayusa blended with natural bergamot flavors. If you haven’t had a chance to try guayusa yet, this is a GREAT opportunity you do NOT want to miss.
Guayusa is an herbal tea, related to yerba mate. Like mate, it is highly caffeinated, but guayusa has a very rich, bold, just slightly earthy flavor. It tastes like a VERY BOLD black tea, but with absolutely no astringency. It has a very smooth and round flavor (I’m not sure what round tastes like, but that’s how I would describe it; don’t take my word for it, try it yourself, you won’t be disappointed).
I had some of this earlier today, and the sharp citrus notes contrast nicely with the rich, mellow guayusa. It is really delicious.
Taster’s Review:
As I’ve said many times before, I do love Earl Grey, so you know I had to try this Guayusa blend.
This has a very interesting flavor. What comes immediately to mind when trying to think of a way to describe it is: bergamot flavored coffee. But, that isn’t as incisive as I would like it to be. So, please bear with me as I sip this tea and attempt to describe for you this fabulous cuppa that I’m tasting.
This is a well-flavored tisane, and I have to be honest when I say that I was a little worried about that. Now, as most of you probably know, I LOVE 52Teas. In fact, they are probably my favorite tea company. That being said, it doesn’t mean that they are perfect. And speaking from a tea blender point-of-view, Earl Grey is a difficult tea to blend. It is difficult to get the bergamot flavor just right. If it is over-flavored, it tastes soapy. If it is under-flavored, well, really, what’s the point?
So, while I had my doubts, I tried to be hopeful. And, as it turns out, hope triumphed over doubt! As I said, this is well-flavored. The bergamot has a delightful citrus tangy flavor, and when paired with the Guayusa, it is unbelievably smooth. The bergamot is well-defined without tasting like perfume.
The Guayusa as a base is invigorating and bold, but as it has no astringency or bitterness to it, it provides a pleasantly sweet, remarkably smooth delivery for the bergamot. Here the bergamot offers more of it’s fruity attributes, and less of its somewhat flowery quality. It has a sharp tangy flavor that is a excellent contrast to the earthy and somewhat vegetative tones of the Guayusa.
Another delicious cuppa: Thank you 52Teas!
I snagged some of my mother-in-law’s tea from Bentley’s Tea Chest that she received for the holidays; Earl Grey was one and I find that it is very nice and has now made me dislike the Black Rose Tea that I tend to drink every now and again.
It is smooth and creamy in texture and malty. specifically the malt is creamy in texture. Kind of like silk. A very nice Earl Grey from Bentley’s Tea.