I was lucky to receive a fairly large sample of this tea. That meant I could try it a whole variety of ways. I landed on three different brew methods: a standard hot cup of tea, a cold brew, and a teapop. It was fun to drink them all side-by-side to see just how different each one was.
The hot cup worked as my control sample, since it is the method that follows Adagio’s suggested brewing parameters of steeping 1 tsp/cup for 5 minutes in boiling water. This is how I believe Adagio intends their tea to taste and thus it was the logical place to start off with my sampling. The tea brewed up a dark amber and had a full, rounded mouthfeel. With that comes some nice honey notes from the rooibos base and just a subtle hint of mango sweetness. Unfortunately the mango flavor dissipates as it cools so this is best drank when hotter, something I don’t usually find with other teas.
The cold brew I set up last night, leaving the tea to sit in the fridge overnight (approximately 12 hours). Since the tea is never actually heated, different flavors tend to come out when using this method. Normally I find that with rooibos and honeybush blends, cold brewing tames the base, leaving the flavor to stand out more than it would in the hot tea. This cold brew didn’t really work out that way. It is honestly quite bland. It’s predominantly water with some sweet/wood at the end of the sip. The aftertaste is just a generic sweetness that lingers after the drink is done. Definitely not as good as the hot cup and really not that good in general. So cold brewing this tea is not something I would recommend.
Finally, we have the teapop. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it is when you brew your tea really strong, ice it, and then top it up with a carbonated beverage to make the tea more like a soda. I topped this tea up with Nestle Purelife’s Mango, Peach & Pineapple Sparkling Water. I figured that would help highlight the mango of the tea itself. The end result is a pretty juicy teapop. The mango is really drawn out more and tends to take center stage while also mixing nicely with the other flavors of the water. I should mention there is a little bit of an artificial sweetener component to this, though that is a result of the sparkling water and not something the tea is contributing. The whole thing is bright and refreshing and has a distinctly tropical vibe that is interestingly juxtaposed with the cold and rainy weather outside. However, I think that tropical element may be more from the sparkling water than the tea itself. Nonetheless, I do think the tea is contributing to it all and elevating it just a teensy bit.
All in all, this tea is simple but nice. It isn’t an in-your-face/”WOW!” sort of flavor but I don’t think it is trying to be. Plus, sometimes its nice to have something more subtle and relaxed. Of the methods I tried, the teapop was probably my preferred but the hot cup was pleasant as well. As I said before, cold brewing is a method I would stay away from because I think the flavors of this tea are just too faint to really stand out when prepped in that way. Still, if you are looking for a more plain tea to have every now and then when you just want something tame, this isn’t a bad one to have around.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
A lush, fruity and mellow cup of caffeine free goodness. The tropical aroma pairs perfectly with the naturally sweet organic rooibos. Delicate deep fruity notes from the rooibos, against the creamy texture and floral nose of the mango. Juicy and soft, dry finish. A lovely tropical escape any time of day, or season!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Glass Slipper from Nelson’s Tea
I had no idea what to expect when I pulled this tea out of my collection today. With a name like Glass Slipper, I expected something Cinderella-like and romantic…like berries or chocolate. The first thing I noticed was the blue cornflower speckled throughout the leaf. Then as I scooped it into my strainer, I saw the big chunks of almond mixed throughout. Now I didn’t expect much from the cornflower but the almond seemed promising.
Unfortunately, I find myself wanting more. More nuttiness. More flavor. The only thing I don’t need more of is rooibos since that is all I am tasting when I drink this particular tea. It’s a little bit woody and a hint sweet but there is not much else.
When I couldn’t pick out flavors by myself, I checked Nelson’s Tea’s website and saw that this is supposed to be an almond, cherry, and vanilla tea. With that in mind, I am even more disappointed. Knowing what flavors I should be tasting has me trying to pick them out in the tea. I feel like there should be more an amaretto quality to this but there just is not. I could maybe attribute the sweetness to the vanilla but I am simply doing that because I am being told I should get vanilla from this tea and not because I am actually tasting vanilla.
I have tried worse rooibos teas and as far as the base goes, it is actually quite nice. I just wish I got more from this tea than just the base. As it is now, the only connection I can make to the infamous Glass Slipper is that it seems half of this tea was left behind
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Nelson’s Tea
Description
This brew is a magical rooibos blend of almond, cherry, and vanilla. The Rooibos base provides smooth yet robust flavor, especially when paired with the other enchanting ingredients. One cup won’t be enough!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Float My Boat from White August Tea Company
Tea Type: Rooibos Tea
Where To Buy:
White August Tea Company
Product Description:
For the free spirited woman on-the-go, these teas we designed with our founders alter ego in mind, and packaged in a stylish tin with T-sacs.
Red, white and blue, oh how I love you. Hats off to our all American blend of Pomegranates, coconuts, blueberries and yummy rooibos. No caffeine so you can lull yourself to sleep with the ocean waves. 60g Tin.
Tasters Review:
“What Ever Floats Your Boat” has always been one of my favorite cliches so when I saw the name of this Rooibos I HAD to try it! Then when I saw the “Free Spirited Woman On The Go” description I knew it was for me! “But Wait! There’s More!” THEN when I saw the ingredients I was delighted and REALLY couldn’t wait to try it! It sounded so plump and juicy and mouth-watering!
When I opened the pouch it not only lived up to the aroma – it lived up to the name!
This is quite aromatic!
It’s a very colorful dry mix!
Post infusion – the coconut gives it a slight oily texture on the top but the actual color of the tisane is a vibrant toned down brown-orange…very nice!
It has a nice strong Rooibos flavor but the blueberry and pom join hands in harmony and the coconut flavor does give it a semi-tropical yet milky-smooth flavor, too!
This is another good one from White August Tea Company and a very tasty flavored rooibos!
Apricot Kernel Tea from Sanctuary T
Tea Type: Rooibos
Where To Buy: Sanctuary T
Product Description:
The first tea in our Autumn Special Edition Tea of the Week Collection makes its presence known with a strong burst of ripe fruit overtones. The apricot mixed with flower petals and whole almonds makes for the perfect rooibos mix!
Tasters Review:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again! I LOVE apricots! Ever since I was a toddler! Yes, I was a weird kid…my favorite foods were dried apricots, lima beans, and fresh sprouts.
I actually bought some dried apricots the other day at the herb store, too!
I think almonds go well with Rooibos!
This smells incredible…both of apricot and almonds! When I saw that there were HUGE WHOLE Almonds I was VERY impressed!
This infuses a little darker than most Rooibos(es)…I’m excited about that as well! Plus…there is a hint of floral aroma coming thru too!
Just when I think I can taste more almond than apricot – I then taste more apricot than almond. They seem to flip-flop as I continue to sip!
This is a great tasting FUN flavored Rooibos! It’s Juicy, Sweet, and Slightly floral. What a LOVELY group of flavors! This exceeded my expectations!
Plum Lov’en from Design A Tea
Tea Type: Rooibos
Where To Buy: Design A Tea
Product Description:
We saw the way these two were looking at each other in the blending room. So we introduced them, although shy at first, vanilla did make the first move. Mixed in a Rooibos base, we’re sure you will love this combination. Is great cold.
Tasters Review:
I will fully admit it…I have been in a PLUM Mood Lately. The more Plum Flavored Oolong Teas and Plum Flavored Rooibos Tisanes I taste the more I think they are made for each other! Speaking of being made for each other…get a load of this one from Design A Tea! It’s Plum Lov’en and I just have to say…This is just awesome!
Yes I can taste the natural sweetness of the Rooibos but more importantly an even 50/50 of Plum and Vanilla. It sort of reminds me of a mixed drink for a split second.
This is a wonderfully flavored Rooibos and it smells great too! It tastes just like you would expect – based on the aroma!
The SororiTEA Sisters have many great reviews on tap from Design A Tea and MANY other great companies so please say tuned. In the meantime…check out the Design A Tea Website…it’s a goodie!!!