Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas (there’s still a few of these in stock, as Frank recently reblended it!)
Tea Description:
I got my recipe directly from The Three Broomsticks: Premium black teas blended with a bit of essence of rootbeer, a bit of butter vapors, some licorice root, chichory root and a touch of magic. Our Butterbeer tea is the beverage of choice for wizards of all ages, and if you have no idea what I’m referring to, please go on about your muggle life, this blend is for Harry Potter fans only. Well, okay, I guess muggles could enjoy it too. It is truly unique and delicious. A blend worthy of the 52teas brand of creative flavored teas. Enjoy!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
My friends, I have a confession to make. I am a Harry Potter fanatic. I read all seven books (several times each), and own each of the movies and am slowly developing my “ultimate” blu ray dvd collection of them. When the books first came out, I would keep reading and wouldn’t put the book down until I finished it – taking only those types of breaks that would not wait (aka bathroom breaks).
Yeah, I guess I’m a nerd.
But, there are times that my nerdiness is advantageous. Consider a recent email conversation with Frank (aka the Chief Zoomdweebie from 52Teas … aka the Willy Wonka of Teas). I suggested that he make a Butterbeer tea. I suggested using the flavoring that was used for his Pot o’ Gold tea and then adding some root beer flavoring or perhaps some sarsaparilla, and some anise to give it a touch of licorice … not a heavy note, but, I just felt like a touch of licorice needed to be in there to give it a hint of magic.
This Butterbeer blend is what he came up with … which is not exactly the way I had suggested, but, it ended up being even more delicious than I anticipated. Frank, you did good!
The black tea base is good and strong (this is Frank’s new black tea base, and it’s a winner! I enjoyed the previous base, but it sometimes proved to be a bit too harsh, this one is so smooth and delicious – not at all bitter or harsh!) and it is enhanced with the addition of chicory which doesn’t really add a strong flavor … instead what it seems to do is help fill-in the background, giving it a very round, pleasing flavor and just a hint of coffee-like taste.
Imagine root beer that’s been magically improved by wizard folk. What would it taste like? I think it would have a basic foundation of classic root beer flavor, with a touch of creamy butter (butter makes it better!) which gives it a hint of butterscotch-y taste. Maybe add a drop of coffee to it for a touch of that rich, bold, roasty-toasty warmth and to help offset the sweetness of the butterscotch taste. Perhaps … one of those licorice snaps just happens to bounce its way into the brew. Now add the goodness of black tea, and you have yourself one winner of a tea … this tea.
It’s awesome! Frank managed to exceed my expectations of what Butterbeer should taste like. I still won’t try Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans (I’ll stick to the muggle Jelly Bellys, thank you), but, this is fabulous. Everyone – muggle and wizards alike – should try this tea!
Dark Forest Chai from Townshend’s Tea Company
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Honeybush
Where to Buy: Townshend’s Tea
Tisane Description:
Dark Forest Chai is made up of honeybush, cacao, carob, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, red clover, rosemary and roasted chicory.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
This tisane smells incredible. As I was pouring the tea into my favorite mug and the amazing aroma wafted through the air, it was as though I had been magically transported to a donut shop – believe it or not, this smells like a cake donut that’s been dusted with cinnamon and sugar!
And while it doesn’t taste exactly like a cinnamon and sugar donut, there are elements in this that give it a similar (and very sweet-tooth satisfying) flavor. A strong cinnamon essence, pleasantly sweet, with a somewhat savory, freshly baked cake sort of element to it, which is further enhanced by the presence of the cacao and carob.
The roasted chicory gives this cup a satisfying depth and a toasty element that is very harmonious with the other ingredients, and I think that this ingredient is what gives the cup that rich, freshly baked flavor. It also lends a hint of coffee-like flavor to the background. Coffee and donuts!
I like that this doesn’t taste strongly of any one ingredient, instead, it is a medley of all the ingredients. It is mildly spiced, and while there is some heat to it which continues to develop as I make my way to the bottom of the cup, I would not categorize it as spicy. It is warm, though, and I don’t know that I’d recommend this to someone who is extremely sensitive to spice, but, if you like a medium-warm heat to your cup, this tisane provides that.
I figured I’d like this chai – as I do love chai! – but, what a surprising treat it turned out to be! I love this!
Caramel Cream from Fusion Tea Room
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Yerba Maté & Rooibos
Where to Buy: Fusion Tea Room
Product Description:
Caramel Cream Mate takes the bold rich flavor of the roasted mate and the full bodied nutty rooibos and pairs them with real decadent caramel bits. Marigold flowers are added to help bring out the smokey tones of the rooibos and caramels. Adding a splash of cream and sugar creates the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Taster’s Review:
I don’t drink coffee. I can’t. Well, I guess I can, but, if I do, I won’t be feeling very well in a couple of hours. But that doesn’t stop me from wishing I could indulge every time I pass a coffee shop and see their enticing advertisements for their latest latte creation, especially if that latte is a caramel latte. In fact, there have been several times when I’ve been thisclose to actually breaking down and ordering one because my sweet tooth was craving that yummy caramel and roasted coffee combination. Well, I think I may have finally found the perfect alternative!
The first time I tried this blend, I was a bit unsure about it. It has a very strong chicory presence – which when added conservatively can give a very pleasing depth to the cup. Chicory is often used as a coffee substitute for those who need to reduce their caffeine intake, because it has a flavor that is very similar to coffee. Paired with the Yerba Maté, it creates a very robust flavor. (Note: Yerba Maté does contain caffeine, so this not a blend I would suggest to someone who is trying to reduce their caffeine)
The chicory lends a deep roasted flavor to the cup. There is a hint of smoke to it too. The Yerba Maté is earthy, roasted and just slightly vegetative. The rooibos is nutty and a little woody. Together, these three components create a base that is a strong roasted flavor that is quite similar to a stout coffee. In fact, this is much more like coffee to me than a tea (or tisane). The caramel is a burnt sugar caramel taste, and this is really highlighted by the deep roasted and smoky notes of the base blend.
I recommend drinking this blend with sugar and milk (or cream). It’s not often that I strongly recommend additions, but, this time, is an exception. This blend has a very strong flavor, and it can be a little harsh. However, the addition of milk really smooths out the harsher tones of this blend and makes it not only palatable – but downright delicious. It becomes a great alternative to a caramel coffee latte for those of us who can’t drink coffee!
Cocoa Raspberry Maté from Fusion Tea Room
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Yerba Maté & Rooibos
Where to Buy: Fusion Tea Room
Product Description:
Rich Argentinean roasted yerba mate with a cocoa raspberry twist. While both of these flavors are wonderful by themselves we just had to try them together to blast your taste buds. One cup just isn’t enough with this fusion blend. Once you have this in the morning, you will never have to rely on your coffee pick me up again. Throw in a splash of milk or creamer and you have got yourself one irresistible cup of mate.
Taster’s Review:
Irresistible is right! This is so yummy, I don’t want to put my teacup down!
The combination of both roasted Yerba Maté and green Yerba Maté offers a well-rounded flavor that is deep, earthy and toasted, with hints of vegetation. The toasted flavor is further accentuated by the addition of toasted rice, which also lends a bit of sweetness to the overall cup.
The rooibos in the blend lends a certain lightness as well as a hint of nutty flavor, which compliments the almond note quite nicely. The barley and chicory present a nice depth of flavor to this tisane, giving it a very satisfying, full flavor. The result is a smooth tasting base that allows the flavors of chocolate and raspberry to express themselves well.
The chocolate tastes rich and creamy. The raspberry takes a couple of sips to develop, but after that development, the berry “tingle” lingers in the aftertaste deliciously. These two ingredients are a classic paring in the dessert world, making this tisane a delightful dessert tea or an indulgent way to start your morning.
I really enjoyed this cup. Rich, sweet and flavorful, even when served neat and clean. I personally prefer my Yerba Maté with just a little bit of sweetener to help curb some of the bitter tones it can sometimes have, but, to be honest, I don’t get much bitterness at all from this cup. I attribute that to the blending of such a diverse group of ingredients, and each of these ingredients seems to bring out the very best in each component.
This may very well be the best cup of Yerba Maté I’ve tried! It’s delish!
Root 66 Tea from Monterey Bay Spice Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane/Spice Melangé
Where to Buy: Monterey Bay Spice Company
Product Description:
Roasted dandelion, chicory root, and sarsaparilla root get you started towards Root 66 Tea. Creating a robust and dark infusion, this herbal tea exudes a mouth-watering natural earthiness. Good for your liver, Root 66 Tea also twists in a bit of the exotic: the lively sweetness of coconut and the slight chocolate taste of carob. With lingering licorice airiness, this herbal makes a fantastic coffee substitute or a dessert tea!
Ingredients–Sarsparilla root, chicory root, roasted dandelion root, carob pods, cinnamon, fennel, crystal malt and coconut.
Caffeine Free
Taster’s Review:
I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m always a little leery of herbal blends such as this. I’m always afraid that they’ll taste too medicinal for my personal taste, so I find myself always putting off trying them.
And I am really sorry that I put off trying this one as long as I did, because it’s rather tasty! It has a sweet, root beer-like taste to it which is enhanced by the spices and malt. It has a slightly roasted taste to it too, and I like how the coconut and sarsaparilla taste together. It’s really much better than I imagined it would be.
The Sarsaparilla root gives this tisane its root beer taste. The licorice-y taste of fennel and the cocoa notes of the carob enhance the sweetness of this cup while the cinnamon gives it a nice warmth in the background. There is a roasted note to this as well from the chicory and roasted dandelion root which adds depth to the cup.
But what really makes this tisane special is the coconut. I love the combination of flavors – it’s sort of like a chocolate and coconut flavored spiced root beer!
This tisane has a little bit of an herbal/medicinal aftertaste that I would define as almost peppery – it’s the dandelion! However, this aftertaste doesn’t linger very long. And because I enjoy the flavor of the tea so much, I can overlook the aftertaste.
I am sipping this now as a hot beverage – it is cold and wet outside and I am enjoying the warm, cozy comfort of a hot tea, but I think that this blend would be even better iced – it would be a great substitute for soda! Just a little pinch of sugar will enhance the sweeter notes and make it an irresistible treat for the kids. It’s naturally caffeine free, so there’s nothing to overstimulate them, either!
This is YUMMY!