Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Honeybush & Rooibos
Where to Buy: World Spice Merchants
Tisane Description:
Chaider is sure to take off the chill with its original blend of Star Anise, Tellicherry Peppercorns, Cassia Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves, Green Cardamom Pod and Seed, Honeybush and Rooibos. Serve it steeped as you would tea, or in warmed apple cider.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
This is a very tasty tisane from World Spice Merchants. It does indeed have a flavor that is reminiscent of hot spiced cider, all that’s missing is the apple! Then again, it is a little different from a typical cider. This has a strong licorice-like flavor to it that gives it a sharpness and a sweet flavor and gives this its own unique flavor.
I’ve had this twice now, and the first time I steeped it, I steeped for ten minutes using a little too much leaf – about 2 heaping teaspoons per 8 ounces, which is about the normal amount for me when I make a chai blend, as I usually plan on diluting it with steamed milk to make a latte.
However, I didn’t make it a latte, so I had a very strong-tasting tisane, and I think it was a bit too strong, especially after tasting my second cup which I steeped for about 8 minutes and used 1 1/2 teaspoons per 8 ounces instead of the 2 heaping teaspoons. This made a big difference in the taste, and I found the second cup to be much more palatable.
The anise flavor is quite strong with this tisane, and as I am a fan of anise, I don’t have a problem with that. However, if you’re not a licorice or anise fan, this is not the tisane for you. The other spices are nicely balanced, and the cinnamon and anise complement each other very well. But this isn’t too cinnamon-y which is something I often find with cider-like teas or tisanes, and I like that I can taste the other spices here.
I can also taste the rooibos and honeybush, and they bring a nice, woody tone to the background. Normally, I am not a fan of the woody flavors of these herbs (especially rooibos) but it works here, because of the overall rustic quality of this tisane.
A nice, warming tisane for these chilly early spring evenings.
Spiced Cider Black Tea from MarketSpice
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: MarketSpice
Product Description:
A tea version of a classic winter drink. Contains Chinese Hunan black tea, Apple black tea, Cinnamon flavoring and mulling spices.
Taster’s Review:
When I first opened the package of this tea, I got very excited. It smelled very much like the spicy, cinnamon-y, orange-y MarketSpice signature blend which I absolutely love. That tea is a bit on the extreme side, but I think that is one of the things that I love about it.
This tea … is different. The flavors are not quite as extreme as the MarketSpice signature blend, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less tasty. The cinnamon here is softer, and instead of orange, this has a distinct apple-y flavor to it. The apple seems to act as a softer presence, providing a mellow sweetness that seems to tame the strength of the cinnamon. The mulling spices are also not aggressive; I am finding them quite soothing actually.
What this tastes like is spiced apple cider and black tea. And based upon the above description from MarketSpice, I think that’s what they were going for. Well, they nailed it!
The tea and flavors seem to meet halfway here; they aren’t really competing for the spotlight. They are all working together very harmoniously. The black tea is strong. The apple is sweet with a barely-there hint of tartness in the background. That tartness presents itself more prominently in the aftertaste, but it is never a particularly strong note. The spices are deliciously warm and comforting with just a hint of spicy heat peeking its way through.
This is a tea that I would be happy to keep in my tea cupboard as autumn approaches. It is a perfect autumn tea!
Product Review: Apple Cider from GreenTeaHP/Green Tea Pros
Buy From: Green Tea Pros
Product Description:
GreenTeaHP is the only green tea made from fresh, not dried, green tea leaves. It uses a patented water extraction process, which provides all the health benefits of green tea. These benefits include polyphenols (flavonoids), vitamins, amino acids, minerals, fibers, and more. The proprietary extraction process-no chemicals, alcohol or organic solvents used. Each pixie serving provides 1000 mg of green tea extract. Great natural fresh taste and color-no artificial colors or preservatives. Sugar-free and low calorie. 100% of the daily value of Vitamin C in each serving. Instant green tea powder tastes great, cold or hot, -just add water. We prefer cold. Most importantly, GreenTeaHP tastes great!
Taster’s Review:
Usually, I add these little pixies of magic Green Tea HP to a bottle of cold water and shake, but today, since I was trying the Apple Cider flavor, I decided that Apple Cider sounded better hot! And you know what, these do taste great hot or cold!
This has a nice apple cider taste to it. I can taste pleasing notes of spice along with a crisp apple flavor.
But, make no mistake, this isn’t a typical apple cider! It does have other ingredients in this, and those ingredients do affect the flavor of the tea. Like I stated for my review of the Orange Cream Green Tea from the same company, the green tea flavor is not a strong flavor, but it is there. And I stand by my previous comment of it being a good product for the individual who doesn’t really care for green tea but still wants the benefits of green tea.
It is also a good product for someone who wants a nice energy boost! That’s what I find tremendously rewarding about this product. It tastes pleasant, and I feel invigorated after I drink it! Especially nice for my Wednesday afternoons when I have to trek it up the steep hill to my house after picking my daughter up from choir practice!
If you do choose to drink this cold, all you need to do is open the little pixie and pour it into a bottle of water (I suggest at least 8 ounces of water for this, I prefer 12 – 16 ounces!) and give it a good shake, and keep shaking it as you drink it (or stirring it). If you choose to have it hot, you needn’t continue to stir it, because it dissolves much better in the hot water. No sugar needed – it already contains sweetener (sucralose)!