Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Honeybush
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tisane Description:
Ingredients: Honeybush, organic cacao nibs, freeze-dried raspberries, natural flavors.
This tisane is part of the Box of Chocolates sampler.
Taster’s Review:
I have really been enjoying the chocolate teas and tisanes that came in my Box of Chocolate samplers. This is the third of six new-to-me chocolate teas in the box, and the only naturally caffeine-free selection.
When served piping hot, I find that the flavors of this are a little muddled, but when allowed to cool slightly (to a drinkable temperature, but it’s still hot), the flavors begin to pop. So, if with your first sip or two, you find that you’re not tasting much chocolate or raspberry flavor, give it a few minutes to cool down, and I think you’ll find the flavor begins to come alive.
What I’m discovering with this cup is that the flavors seem to weave their way in and out … with one sip, I notice a stronger raspberry flavor, and the next sip, the chocolate is more pronounced. The raspberry tastes sweet and juicy, with a berry tartness that emerges in the aftertaste. The chocolate has that deep, rich cacao kind of flavor.
The honeybush is nutty and sweet, and as I mentioned a couple of paragraphs ago, the flavor of the honeybush is strongest with those first couple of “hot” sips, and as I make my way toward mid-cup, the flavors become more balanced. This one gets a thumbs up from me!
Cherry Cordial Black Tea from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Product Information:
Ingredients: Premium black teas, organic cacao nibs, freeze-dried cherries, natural flavors.
This tea is available as part of the Box of Chocolates sampler.
Taster’s Review:
There was a time when chocolate covered cherries were my favorite confection. I used to actually crave them! It’s been a while since that time, and I’ve discovered new favorites. However, as I sip this tea, I find myself with that old craving!
This tea tastes very reminiscent of a really good cherry cordial. I can taste hints of the sweet liqueur center – creamy and just a little sweet, with just a hint of brandy. The chocolate tastes exquisitely rich: dark, delicious chocolate! YUM!
The cherry tastes sweet and just a little tangy. As I continue to sip, I notice the tartness of the cherry develops a bit, but it doesn’t really become sour. I like the way the cherry flavor develops here, because with the typical chocolate covered cherry, the flavor becomes too cloying before the flavors of the cherry have much chance to develop.
This is like a chocolate covered cherry – reinvented!
And what makes this even better than the confection is the black tea! The black tea base works really well with this blend, it tastes bold and even a little malty, and I’m not getting much bitterness from the cup. It is a very well-rounded cup of tea.
Even though I’ve only tried two of the six new teas in the Box of Chocolates sampler, this one is my favorite of the two I’ve tried. It’s not only reignited my love for cherry cordials, but, refined it … I don’t think I could settle for an ordinary cherry cordial after trying this amazing tea!
White Chocolate Strawberry from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
Ingredients: Premium black teas, freeze-dried strawberries, natural flavors.
Taster’s Review:
This is one of the new teas that came in the Box of Chocolate Teas from 52Teas, and at the time of this writing, that is the only way this tea is available.
I didn’t actually choose this tea to drink first, it … sort of chose me! You see, I was happily, but rather haphazardly, removing the tins of tea out of the box, and they were very snugly tucked inside. In my haste, the lid of this tin opened and a small amount (just a few leaves) scattered out of the tin. So, I decided that this meant that I was to brew this tea right away!
And, I’m really glad I did! The flavor is delightful. The strawberry flavor is dominate, it tastes sweet and just a little tart. That tartness sort of lingers on the tip of the tongue well after the sip.
The white chocolate flavor is a more subtle flavor, and I find that it reveals itself more after the tea has had a short time to cool. Not cold or even lukewarm, but not piping hot, either. Just allow it a few minutes to cool after it’s been poured into the cup, and the white chocolate flavor emerges. It is creamy and sweet, and compliments the strawberry flavor very well, and even softens the aforementioned tart notes just a little as it starts to come out a little more.
The black tea base is strong, smooth and deliciously suited for these flavors. It supports the bright flavor of the strawberry and the soft, silky flavor of the white chocolate without overwhelming them.
I quite enjoyed this cup … I’m so glad this tea chose to have me brew it first!