Everyone has that one (or if you’re me, like, a thousand) weird stories from your childhood. Now, most aren’t going to go sharing them for all the world to know– but sometimes, in the name of tea, awkward stories must be told.
As a younin’, I LOVED all things fruit– real and fresh– of course, but fake fruity flavors, as well. All of it. Gimme.
Around the age of 3 or so, I came down with a bad cold and needed some medicine. Knowing I’d spit out that nasty bubblegum flavored medicine in a heartbeat (sorry, mom), my mother played to my strengths and picked up a bottle of Grape Dimetapp. You know the type– bright purple, tastes nothing like grapes off the vine? That’s the stuff.
Anyways, my three-year-old palate, having no idea this was medicine and not candy, slurped my little plastic dosing cup down willingly. A few hours later, when my mom asked my sisters and I what we wanted to drink with dinner, I of course enthusiastically replied, “DIMETAPP!”
I got water instead. (Thanks, mom. Sorry, mom.)
All of this to say: you guys, I still love that fakey fruity flavor. I am allll about it. It’s not real grape, of course. But it’s delicious nonetheless. And what does this have to do with tea, you ask? On ice, this tea is a Dimetapp dead-ringer. Slightly more adult, mind you– hints of the green tea base in the background, not nearly as saccharine-sweet– but otherwise, spot on. Is it an everyday tea for me? No, probably not. But it is a fun summer treat, harkening back to the quirky palate of my youth? Yup. And it’s a tasty one, at that.
Now if you’ll excuse me– I have a dinnertime beverage to pour for my inner child.
Here’s the scoop!
Where to Buy: DAVIDsTea
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sugar Plum Fairy from Simpson & Vail
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Tea Description:
This green rooibos blend is caffeine free and is sure to be enjoyed by young and old alike. The reddish amber cup imparts a fruity, heady aroma. It has an interesting complex flavor that is a perfectly balanced blend of fruity, sweet and exotic.
Like the Sugar Plum Fairy herself, this herbal blend has an elegant taste that is sure to become a classic.
Ingredients: Organic green rooibos, organic whole cloves, rosehips, hibiscus, sweet blackberry leaf, flavorings, vanilla beans, mallow blossoms and raspberry pieces.
Brew tea at 212º – steep for 5 minutes.
Caffeine Free. Certified Kosher
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
When you think of Sugar Plum Fairies, you instantly think of Christmas time, but I have to say, this tea is marvelous for any time of the year!
This gorgeous herbal tea is a mixture of green rooibos, cloves, rosehips, hibiscus, blackberry leaf, mallow blossoms, vanilla, raspberry pieces, and natural flavorings. A unique blend of ingredients for sure. I took one whiff of the dry mix and I wasn’t sure this would be a tea I would enjoy. The clove was a bit on the overpowering side but this is Simpson & Vail, I have to try all of their teas!
Brewed this up like a herbal with fresh boiled water and allowed to steep for about 5 minutes. The tea had a lovely gorgeous red color that made me just smile. I allowed the tea to cool for a few moments and took a sip. After taking my first sip, I promptly put my feet up and grabbed the book I was reading. This tea is one of those soothing teas that just make you feel warm and loved. The green rooibos provides a lovely honey base that the other flavors can bounce off of while the clove provides a warming sensation and a kick of spice, the hibiscus delivers a slight tart flavor while the vanilla bean leads itself to the sweetness that the ingredient is known for. All of that from the first sip. Really well done tea and one that does not disappoint.
I loved this tea so much that I thought the tea needed to be an iced tea. So I brewed the tea up stronger than I normally would and then poured the hot tea over iced and added in a few orange wedges and limes into my mason jar glass. Thru a straw in it and I was set with a gorgeous looking brew. The taste was still as good if not better than when I had it hot. The flavors seemed to be deeper giving a lovely almost punch like flavor.
If you are looking for a lovely herbal tea to share during the upcoming summer months, I encourage you to check this one out. I’ll be serving it for sure! Perfect for any tea parities as well!
