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.
Harvest Apple Spice from Tea Forté
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.
Date Nut Muffin Rooibos from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Product Description:
Here’s our caffeine-free African rooibos, blended with sweet, dried dates, walnuts and natural flavors, including a touch of natural butter flavor (just a little pat on your muffin)–and yes, this tea is still 100% vegan.
Taster’s Review:
This one scared me when I first opened the pouch, because the aroma of the dry leaf isn’t all that great. But once the tisane is brewed, the smell becomes quite delicious. It smells like freshly baked muffins!
I taste the date, I taste the walnut. I can even taste a cake-y kind of flavor with a hint of butter. So far, so good. This tisane delivers what the name of it says it will. And I can see where the rooibos melds with the other flavors to help build the muffin flavor.
Unfortunately, as I’ve said before, I’m not wild about rooibos. However, when flavored/blended, more often than not, I can enjoy the tisane even though it’s rooibos. Sadly, though, this happens to be one of those times when I can’t get past that rooibos flavor. It’s just not working for me here.
Yes, 52Teas is still my favorite tea company, and I’m really glad that I got to try this blend. This tisane DOES have all the flavors it suggests in its title, so it is what it says it is. So if the idea of a Date Nut Muffin in a teacup appeals to you, then I hope you’ll try it for yourself (and if you do like it, please comment here, I’d love to have some positive remarks about this tea here!)
That being said, I can’t say I liked something if I didn’t, and I’m just not digging it. I guess they all can’t be winners… and more often than not, 52Teas’ blends are winners with me. This one just isn’t a win for me. (Sorry Frank!)
Harvest Apple Spice Tea from Tea Forte
Tea Type:
Rooibos
Where To Buy:
Tea Forte
Product Description:
rooibos, organic cinnamon, apple chunks, hibiscus, natural apple flavor, clove buds, natural cinnamon flavor, other natural flavors
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.
Tasters Review:
‘Tis the Harvest Season! I thought I would celebrate with this time of year with this tisane from Tea Forte.
Harvest Apple Spice from Tea Forte smells like Cider and Cologne.
It steeps up rather dark!…not a VERY Dark Brown but Medium to medium-dark brown.
The spice is just enough and nice. The apple is juicy, plump, and not overly tart. The hibiscus is barely there and I am totally fine with that.
This is also part of Tea Forte’s WARMING JOY Gift Box. I love the presentation of their gift boxes! They are beautiful!
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this one!
Bountiful Black Tea from Tea Addiction
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea & Rooibos
Where to Buy: Tea Addiction
Product Description:
Ingredients: Black tea, rooibos, cacao nibs, coconut, apple, and vanilla flavoring.
A unique blend of coconut scented black tea, smooth rooibos, cacao nibs, vanilla, and apple make Bountiful Black most pleasing to the palate.
The flavor is rich and sumptuous. Trust us when we say you’ll enjoy every delightful sip.
Taster’s Review:
Looking at the dry leaf of this tea, I wouldn’t have guessed that it is a black tea … it looks more like a rooibos blend than a black tea blend. But, interestingly enough, it tastes more like a black tea blend than a rooibos blend!
In fact, the rooibos are not a strong, distinguished flavor in this blend. Sure, I am able to discern the flavor of the rooibos, but, it isn’t nearly as apparent as the flavors of black tea, chocolate, coconut and even vanilla.
All of these flavors meld together very seamlessly. It is difficult to determine where one ingredient ends and another begins. What I taste is a medley of flavors that is sweet, rich and bold, with notes of chocolate, creamy coconut and vanilla, and a nutty flavor that rests in the background.
This has a sweetness all its own and doesn’t need additions, although if you wish to enhance the creaminess, a splash of milk will do just that. This is a very decadent treat in a teacup, suitable to serve as a dessert tea, or anytime you’re craving something a sweet indulgence.