Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Fruit Tisane
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Tisane Description:
Turkish apple tea referred to as Elma Cay is growing in demand globally. It is a soothing hot beverage during cold winter months and a refreshing thirst quencher in the summer when served over ice. In this fusion blend we take the friendship of the apple and vanilla flavors and let them go to work. Always popular, and always in demand.
Taster’s Review:
Hibiscus. Just the word is enough to send chills through me, and not the excited kind of chills either. I am not a fan of hibiscus. Sure, I know it’s got a lot of health benefits. It’s loaded with vitamin C and minerals, and it can also help reduce high blood pressure. But, all of that doesn’t help me get past it’s rather tart, acidic taste that it adds to the cup.
So whenever I encounter a tisane with hibiscus, I make it a point to not over steep it, which will concentrate the flavors and turn the infusion into a rather thick, syrupy liquid that is overwhelmingly tart. When steeped properly, a tisane with hibiscus can be not only drinkable, but really quite enjoyable.
Such is the case with this Apple Vanilla tisane from Fusion Tea Room. I steeped it at 195° for 6 minutes. This steep time and temperature was just right to produce a cup that is deep red but not too thick or syrupy, and flavorful without being too tart.
And that’s important because you really WANT to experience the other flavors of this tisane. Yes, I taste hibiscus, and it really is front and center with this tisane; however, there are other flavors here that are worth mentioning. The apple is sweet yet just a wee bit tart – and I think that the hibiscus actually helps here, because it seems to highlight the tart apple flavor – just like a fresh, crunchy apple would be. The vanilla note is sweet and creamy and adds a very interesting dimension to the overall cup.
This is a tasty tisane. I’m not going to say it’s my favorite from Fusion Tea Room because it isn’t (my favorite is probably the Cocoa Raspberry Maté), but it is certainly enjoyable and one that is nice to sip as the day comes to an end and I want to slow down on the caffeine (this one’s naturally caffeine free!)
