Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: The Persimmon Tree
Tisane Description:
A beautiful blend of ginger, ginseng, chamomile, rose hips, orange peel and mint that soothes with every sip.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I know I’ve said this before, but I’m going to say it again. I’m apprehensive when it comes to herbal teas (or tisanes). Most that I’ve tried, I’ve actually quite enjoyed, but there seems to be some programmed automated response built into my hard drive that recoils when I receive an herbal tisane to review. So, I tend to put off trying it, and then when I do finally try it, I end up irritated with myself for not having tried it sooner.
As is the case with this tisane. It actually tastes really good. But, as I’m naturally hesitant when it comes to herbal tisanes and I am not all that fond of ginseng, this tisane had already been marked with a double whammy. But, I managed to talk myself into trying it tonight, and I must say that I’m happily surprised by the flavor of it.
While it does taste herbaceous, it doesn’t taste overly medicinal. Every ingredient is masterfully balanced here to deliver a flavor that is not only gentle and soothing, but palate-pleasing as well. The ginger is sweet with just a hint of spice. That spice tone is mellowed with a touch of mint and chamomile. I can even taste a note of orange in this which is really nice. I don’t taste much from the ginseng, which given my dislike for the herb, I consider the lack of ginseng flavor here a real plus. Additional bonus points should also be awarded to The Persimmon Tree for refraining from using hibiscus in this blend. It doesn’t need it, and I’m glad that they didn’t add it.
It has a very calm, relaxing flavor, perfect for after a big meal, or later in the evening when its time to settle down and prepare for rest.
Fairytale from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
Fairytale tea is an inspired blend of colorful herbs and flowers whose vivid infusion and magical aroma will take you back to your childhood fairytales of magic and romance, lovely damsels and dashing princes. It has a smooth light taste with a slightly minty finish and a hint of spice. Just the right combination to accompany your imagination on its magical journey…
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The dry leaf of this tisane looks and smells gorgeous! Lots of blossoms and petals – chamomile, jasmine, osmanthus, rose and calendula – to please the eye and the nose. Once brewed, the aroma is quite herbal, so that worried me a bit. But I could also smell a promising note of peppermint.
The flavor is really quite nice, despite that herbal note. I’m not a fan of an overly herbal-y or medicinal tasting tisane, but, I think that the other flavors in this tisane keep it from tasting like a cup of medicine. The peppermint is a subtle flavor, and I like the way it melds with the other flavors in this blend.
I like the floral combination of this blend – it creates a flavor that is definitely flowery but not distinct. That is to say, it tastes like flowers … but not like any one particular flower. Instead, I taste sweet floral notes with fewer sharp tones and without any perfume-y taste.
When I first started sipping on this, I was a little disappointed that I did not taste any anise. But now that I’m about halfway through the cup, the flavor of the anise has developed. It is just a hint of licorice. Kind of like sneaking a quick treat before bed!
While I enjoyed this tisane while it lasted, I can’t say that this is my favorite cup from Shanti tea, because it isn’t. However, it is one of the tastier “bedtime” blends that I’ve encountered, and that is saying something, because there are a lot of bedtime blends out there. And it certainly does what it is supposed to … I can feel my body and mind relax and I do believe a good night’s sleep will follow.
Starry Night from Empire Tea Services
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Empire Tea Services
Product Description:
Chamomile, Spearmint, Passion Fruit leaves, Lomon Greass, Orange peel, Cinnamon, Strawberry leaves, flavoring
Taster’s Review:
I love the name of this tea. If you’ve read many of my posts, you probably are aware that I’m not only a tea enthusiast, but I also love art. My favorite work of art of all time is Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. In fact, the tea mug from which I am sipping this tisane at this very moment is a “Starry Night” mug with a print of the painting on it.
However, I wasn’t so sure that I’d love the tisane. It is a chamomile blend, and chamomile is one of those ingredients that doesn’t exactly excite me when it comes to tisanes.
But, I must say that this tisane is actually quite tasty. The combination of ingredients just seems to work. (Check out the list of ingredients above, this tisane has quite a bit going on!) The fruit-like tones of the chamomile melds together with the lemongrass and the hints of fruit flavor in the fruit leaves to give it a hint of fruity essence without coming across as too fruity or sweet.
It has a herbaceous overtone, but again, it isn’t too overwhelming nor does it end up tasting medicinal. It tastes soothing and serene … in fact, this tisane makes me feel very much the way the painting makes me feel: calm.
Enjoy Rest – Apple Cinnamon Chamomile from Teamotions
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Teamotions
Product Description:
Flavor Profile: Smooth and fragrant with notes of sweet apple and warm cinnamon.
This product is Caffeine Free
Ingredients: Chamomile, Rooibos, Green Rooibos, Orange Peel, Ashwagandha, Cinnamon, Natural Flavors.
Emotional Benefit: Fosters rest and relaxation. Calms and sooths the body and spirit to aid recovery from emotional and physical exhaustion. Helps induce sound, restful sleep.
Taster’s Review:
This is great! And that is NOT something I will generally say with so much enthusiasm about a chamomile tisane.
In fact, when I receive chamomile tisanes, my initial reaction is a sort of cringe, and then I usually stash it away and try to forget about it until it manages to get my attention (usually because I’ll feel badly about neglecting it). It’s not even that I dislike chamomile, because although I can’t say that I love it, I don’t hate it, and I have grown to appreciate it. But, I don’t drink it every night, and I think I probably should as it does provide restful benefits.
The apple flavor is not an overwhelming taste, but it is a natural pairing with the chamomile which tends to have a somewhat apple-y character to it anyway. The cinnamon and apple flavors is what I taste here, with hints of a nutty flavor from the rooibos. The flavor of the rooibos is not a strong taste, mostly what I taste is a nutty sweetness, but no aftertaste and not so much of a wood-like quality that I sometimes get from rooibos.
But as I said, what I taste primarily is apple and cinnamon, and these two flavors seem pretty evenly matched. It isn’t a hot, spicy cinnamon taste – it is a mild, sweet cinnamon that accents the apple tones. It tastes a bit like an apple-y dessert!
If this was the chamomile tisane in my tea cupboard, I’d have no problems at all drinking it every night. In fact, I think I’d look forward to it.
Herbal Lush Chamomile from TeaScapes
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Fruit/Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: TeaScapes
Product Description:
Herbal Lush tea consists of a bright blend of delicate chamomile and spicy cinnamon with bits of strawberry and rose petals. The brewed tea produces a relaxing combination that has a mild fruity spark. It is a great evening tea to aid with relaxation and end the day with a smile.
Taster’s Review:
Hmm… chamomile. While chamomile is often something that I would normally shy away from, I’m actually really enjoying this. The combination of chamomile, cinnamon, strawberry and rose make for a satisfying taste. I like how the sweetness of the chamomile and strawberry contrast with the spicy snap of the cinnamon and the delicate notes of rose.
The chamomile and cinnamon are the strongest flavors, but neither is too strong or overpowering. The chamomile presents that distinct “chamomile-y” flavor – apple-like, somewhat floral, and even a little bit pollen-ish tasting. But with the gentle warmth of the cinnamon, it becomes much more agreeable. The spice of the cinnamon and the apple-esque tones of the chamomile work very well together.
The strawberry and rose are the softer flavors of the bunch, but I like their contributions to the cup. I can taste subtle berry flavors that are sweet yet tart, and the rose is sweet and feminine. This is the kind of cup that you want to cozy up to on one of those late nights when you just can’t seem to relax! It is comforting and it will also encourage a sense of calm.
I’ve really enjoyed the teas I’ve tried from TeaScapes thus far. They have a knack for taking the ordinary (chamomile) and making it extraordinary (Herbal Lush Chamomile)!