Honeybush Haze from Amoda Tea

by liberteas

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Honeybush & Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Amoda Tea

Tisane Description:

Apple Crumble with a hazelnut topping anyone?  That’s definitely what this tea smells like.  Green honeybush is the main ingredient and brings strong aromatics and a sweet apricot flavour to this blend.  Combined with the dried apple this tea offers a lingering sweetness.  And yes… there’s raisins in your tea.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

Not too long ago, Steepster decided to put it’s “Steepster Select” program on hiatus.  For those of you who do not remember, the Steepster Select program was a monthly subscription, and once a month, subscribers would receive a box of three different teas, all three teas pertaining to a particular theme, like “Around the Clock” or “Migration”.  I loved this program because not only was it about TEA but it also enabled me to try some new teas from companies I might not have tried before.  Plus, it was a lot of fun to see what theme would be explored and which teas were selected for that theme.  Sure, I tried several of the teas that they had sent over the course of the program (I think it lasted for about a year!) but, for the most part, I was able to try quite a few teas that I might not have otherwise tried … or even heard of!

Well, Steepster ended it’s program in August of this year, and I was sad.  I wanted another program like this one!  Recently, I heard about Amoda Tea, a brand new company that focuses on monthly subscriptions – very similar to what we were getting from Steepster Select!  The prices are comparable too!

The one difference:  Amoda is in Canada, so I was unable to get the first box as it was limited to Canadian subscribers only.  But, for the second box – November’s Box! – subscriptions opened up to the United States.  Yay!

The theme of the first box is “The Last Days of Autumn” and this Honeybush Haze is the first tea that I’m sampling from the box.  This tisane is blend that was created by a Tea Sommelier and chosen for Amoda Tea based upon  the personalities at Amoda Tea!  That  is exciting in itself, because it’s a chance to try a new tea from a new company.

And this is really, REALLY good.  First of all, it smells amazing.  It smells like freshly baked apple crumble – piping hot, right out of the oven.  And that’s what it tastes like too!

The tisane base is green Honeybush blended with green rooibos.  This brings a fruitier flavor with only hints of nutty tones to the cup, which allows for the hazelnut flavor to really shine through and not be masked by the nutty tones of the herbs.  The fruitier tones of the herbs also enhances the apple-y flavor really nicely.  The raisin notes are off in the background, but, it does add a nice sweetness to the cup.

Overall, this is very much like a fresh apple crumble in a teacup!  All that’s missing is a scoop of vanilla ice cream!  I’d say that this monthly subscription program from Amoda is off to a GREAT start!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Honeybush, Rooibos

Spirit of the Sun from The Healing Cup

by liberteas

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where To Buy:  The Healing Cup

Tisane Description:

Enjoy the taste of the sun in a cup! Orange peels take an unexpected twist with a spicy burst from cinnamon chips and a soft touch of vanilla. Drink a cup in the morning to start your day with a salute to the sun. Naturally caffeine-free.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

This blend takes the classic flavors of a spiced orange tea and gives it a unique twist by giving it a rooibos base rather than the typical black tea base.  I’m not ordinarily a big fan of rooibos, but I kind of like how the rooibos tastes with the cinnamon, orange and vanilla flavors.  It still tastes citrus-y and cinnamon-y, but, it has a lighter texture and a flavor that is similar yet different enough to keep these traditional flavors interesting.

Ordinarily, I don’t really care much for the nutty/woody flavor of the rooibos, sometimes it comes off tasting of sour wood or just kind of funky.  But, I suspect it is because this is organic rooibos that the flavor is better with this rooibos blend … and I think that makes a big difference in my enjoyment.  I’m liking the way the nutty tones meld with the bright orange notes and the sweet, creamy vanilla.

The cinnamon is warm enough to help clear the sinuses (yeah, I’m still dealing with some of the symptoms of that cold!) but, not so hot that I’d categorize it as spicy.   Instead, I’d say it’s got a mild spice that keeps the flavors lively while not so warm that I need something to soften the heat.   It’s quite pleasant.

Overall, I’m really enjoying this – much more than I expected to!  This would make a great “holiday blend” for those who prefer to limit their caffeine intake but still want something vibrant and festive to drink.

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Rooibos

Rooibos Chai from Choice Organic Teas

by liberteas

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Choice Organic Teas

Tisane Description:

Thrill your senses with this naturally caffeine-free twist on traditional chai. We blend rich South African rooibos with the finest masala spices for a cup that’s warming, robust and subtly sweet. It’s a luscious treat that pairs wonderfully with milk and sweetener. (Caffeine Free)

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

This is a nicely balanced chai blend – spicy, but not too spicy, and just enough of an exotic sweet spice to it to keep it interesting.  And the most surprising part of it all is that this is a rooibos blend!

I’ve never really hid my lack of interest when it comes to rooibos.  I mean, I don’t hate rooibos or anything, but, it isn’t usually my first choice when it comes to a cup of tea.  But, the fact that this is an organic rooibos base is one thing that I found assuring.  If I were to have a side-by-side comparison of plain, unflavored rooibos that was conventionally grown versus a plain, unflavored rooibos that was organically grown, I’d choose the organic every time.  There is a very noticeable difference in taste between the two.

And it makes a difference in this cup too.  The flavor is smooth and there is an undertone of earthy, nutty flavor to the cup, and this earthiness from the rooibos melds well with the earthiness of the chai spices.  I taste the cinnamon, and the cloves, and the cardamom … with the ginger and pepper sort of providing a backdrop of flavor that I really like.  Often, these two spices in a chai tend to take over the cup, offering a very peppered taste, but, that’s not happening with this cup.  I do love a good, spicy, peppery chai, but I also enjoy it when I find a blend that has these spices as more of a background note than something in the forefront.

But that’s not to say that this isn’t a spicy cup – it’s got it’s own spiced charm to it, but, it isn’t what I’d call a very strongly spiced chai.  And I think for a rooibos blend, that’s right on target.  You don’t really want something too spicy just before bed, and with rooibos being naturally caffeine free, it makes a great late-night chai option.  Here neither the spices nor the caffeine will keep you awake!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Chai, Rooibos

Rooibos Belgian Chocolate from Georgia Tea Company

by liberteas

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Georgia Tea Company

Tisane Description:

Rooibos tea with cocoa pieces. Try it also with cream to make a great desert tea!

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

I had really high hopes for this chocolate flavored rooibos, unfortunately the rooibos in this kind of let me down.  Just a little.  That’s not to say it’s not a tasty tisane, it is.  But, I was hoping for MORE chocolate and less rooibos flavor, and this just didn’t deliver that.

But then, that’s the chocoholic in me.  I see the word chocolate, and I get happy.  I see the words BELGIAN chocolate and I get very happy.  And while this is very rich and deliciously chocolate-y … it’s just not quite as chocolate-y as I would like it to be.

However, as I continue to sip, this tisane starts to redeem itself.  I notice the chocolate-y notes – deep, dark chocolate! – becoming stronger while I notice less of the woody tones of the rooibos.

So, chocoholics, don’t despair!  Don’t give up on this tisane after the first sip or two!  Allow it time to cool slightly, and allow the flavors to develop.  It’s definitely worth it.  It might be a tad bit disappointing at the start, but, after a few sips, it becomes very decadent and chocolate-y!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Rooibos

Coconut Almond Cookie from Spire Tea

by liberteas

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Spire Tea

Tisane Description:

Do you like cookies? We certainly do and that’s why this sweet and nutty combination of rooibos, coconut and almonds tastes like the real thing!

Learn more about Spire Tea on their website.

Taster’s Review:

Yummmm!  This tisane is definitely all about coconut and almond!  The “cookie” part … well, the nutty, sweet flavor of the rooibos does sort of offer a warm, bake-y sort of flavor so yeah, I sort of get that … but, really, the cookie seems to be more of a flavor that comes with the power of suggestion rather than an actual taste of this tisane.

It’s still really yummy though.  The flavors of coconut and almond go together very well, and they are pretty evenly balanced in this blend.  The almond is strong, sweet, and toasty, while the coconut is also strong, with a smooth, creamy taste.

I think that this tea could use a touch of “buttery” flavor that might propel the tea to another level where the “cookie” would not be such a stretch of the imagination.  As it is, it is tasty … but I think that the enhancement of a real cookie-like flavor would really make this blend amazing.

I do find this to be very enjoyable though.  It has a comforting kind of flavor, the kind of tisane that you want to curl up to while watching television at night.  It will help curb those late night sweet cravings, and because it’s naturally caffeine free, you don’t have to worry about it keeping you up past bedtime.

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Rooibos