Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Fruit Tisane
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Tisane Description:
Turkish apple tea referred to as Elma Cay is growing in demand globally. It is a soothing hot beverage during cold winter months and a refreshing thirst quencher in the summer when served over ice. In this fusion blend we take the friendship of the apple and vanilla flavors and let them go to work. Always popular, and always in demand.
Taster’s Review:
Hibiscus. Just the word is enough to send chills through me, and not the excited kind of chills either. I am not a fan of hibiscus. Sure, I know it’s got a lot of health benefits. It’s loaded with vitamin C and minerals, and it can also help reduce high blood pressure. But, all of that doesn’t help me get past it’s rather tart, acidic taste that it adds to the cup.
So whenever I encounter a tisane with hibiscus, I make it a point to not over steep it, which will concentrate the flavors and turn the infusion into a rather thick, syrupy liquid that is overwhelmingly tart. When steeped properly, a tisane with hibiscus can be not only drinkable, but really quite enjoyable.
Such is the case with this Apple Vanilla tisane from Fusion Tea Room. I steeped it at 195° for 6 minutes. This steep time and temperature was just right to produce a cup that is deep red but not too thick or syrupy, and flavorful without being too tart.
And that’s important because you really WANT to experience the other flavors of this tisane. Yes, I taste hibiscus, and it really is front and center with this tisane; however, there are other flavors here that are worth mentioning. The apple is sweet yet just a wee bit tart – and I think that the hibiscus actually helps here, because it seems to highlight the tart apple flavor – just like a fresh, crunchy apple would be. The vanilla note is sweet and creamy and adds a very interesting dimension to the overall cup.
This is a tasty tisane. I’m not going to say it’s my favorite from Fusion Tea Room because it isn’t (my favorite is probably the Cocoa Raspberry Maté), but it is certainly enjoyable and one that is nice to sip as the day comes to an end and I want to slow down on the caffeine (this one’s naturally caffeine free!)
Jasmine with Flowers from Fusion Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Product Description:
This jasmine tea consists of green tea grown in China and is scented with jasmine petals multiple times. A typical grade of jasmine tea will be scented once. The green tea leaves used as the base are young as indicated by its small, slim needle-like leaves.
Our Jasmine tea has a sweet floral scent with green tea undertones, that is very refreshing, with a lingering aftertaste that is delicately sweet.
Taster’s Review:
Ahh… jasmine! (I have probably exclaimed that more than once before while sipping a jasmine tea) And I know that I’ve mentioned before that my three favorite tea flavors are: Bergamot, Chocolate and JASMINE. There was a time when I would only drink jasmine pearls, but, I have finally learned not only appreciate other jasmine teas, but, understand that while they are not the same jasmine teas, they are not necessarily inferior. Just … different.
This jasmine green tea reminds me quite a bit of a pot of green tea that might be brought to my table at a Chinese food restaurant. It is sweet, crisp and light, and it has an agreeable palate cleansing aspect to it as well, making it a good choice to sip with a meal.
The jasmine aroma is light and beautiful. The brewed tea does not have an overwhelming floral fragrance; instead, what this aromatic tea reminds me of is the sweet scent of fresh air and green grass and jasmine flowers. It’s a lovely combination that translates into the flavor of the tea, which is also quite light and has a crispness to it, like the crisp feel of the morning air in the early spring.
A wonderful jasmine that is really quite affordable, making it a great choice for daily consumption.
Blueberry Muffin Tisane from Fusion Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Fruit Tisane
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Product Description:
Everyone’s favorite – blueberry muffins fresh from the oven. Our exciting composition captures this aroma perfectly. The intense taste of sweet ripe blueberries in combination with the natural colorful ingredients result in a taste experience, which seems to come straight from heaven.
Taster’s Review:
When I poured this tisane into my mug, I was a little worried after seeing how dark and thick it was. It looked like it was going to be a very hibiscus-heavy tisane. Fortunately, though, I recognized the hibiscus as I was measuring it into my tea maker, and I knew that it was better not to brew it for the recommended steep time of 10 – 12 minutes. Instead, I set the timer for 5 minutes and crossed my fingers.
The fragrance of the brewed tisane is really incredible. It smells like warm blueberry muffins.
And, actually, this is pretty tasty, despite the hibiscus. Actually, the flavor of the hibiscus is less noticeable than its contributions to the color and texture to the liquor. I can still taste it, but it isn’t nearly as strong a flavor as I thought it might be.
The flavor isn’t as “blueberry muffin-ish” as the aroma might lead one to think. It is blueberry, but not muffin. I can also taste the apple and the caramel. That’s right. I said caramel. And I think it is the caramel that makes this tisane rate so high on the YUM scale. The ingredient list shows yogurt pieces as one of the components to this tisane as well, but I don’t really taste much from it. Perhaps a little bit here and there, but, it isn’t a strong presence.
Overall, an enjoyable cup. I can’t say that this is my favorite blend from Fusion Tea Room, because it isn’t, but, it is tasty. I think I might have enjoyed it more if it had more of a cake-y/muffin-y flavor in there, and while we’re at it, it would be better if there was less hibiscus. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it, and I guess that’s what really counts, right?
Mango N’ Friends from Fusion Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Fruit/Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Product Description:
This award winning blend combines extra large flakes and cubes of juicy exotic fruits. A perfect balance. Low in acid this artful taste was further enhanced by a particularly sweet and fresh flavor combination. A very delicious fruit tisane, which will outshine all other juice drinks. Especially refreshing over ice.
The mango is the national fruit of a few countries including India as they are the worlds largest cultivator. In Hinduism, the perfectly ripe mango is often held by Lord Ganesha as a symbol of attainment, regarding the devotees potential perfection. Mango leaves also play a large role in the culture. They are used in the worship of the goddess Saraswati and during celebrations such as weddings. In this comparing symbolism the mango is Lord Ganesha and the devotees are his friends that have attained its potential perfection. We think you will agree that this blend needs to be celebrated.Ingredients: pineapple cubes, mango cubes, pineapple and mango flakes, orange slices, tangerine pieces, safflower, marigold blossoms, and strawberries
Taster’s Review:
Do you love mango? Because this is the BEST mango tisane I’ve ever tasted!
The mango flavor is strong! But mango is not the only flavor here. I can taste hints of pineapple and tangerine. I don’t taste much from the strawberry, but every once in a while, it peeks its way through the other flavors. And here’s the best part … there is NO hibiscus in this! Yay! I’m so glad that Fusion Tea Room decided to leave the hibiscus out of this blend.
The overall flavor is sweet and fruity. It has a very nectar-like quality. I can almost feel the pulpy texture of the mango on my tongue. There is a hint of tartness to this – not a lot, just enough to keep things interesting.
Obviously, this tisane is mostly about the mango… but I like that I can taste these other flavors in there too. While mango is the guest of honor at this party, the mango seems happy to share the attention with some of its friends!
Chocolate Cake Honeybush from Fusion Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Honeybush
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Product Description:
Close your eyes and smell the aroma of this fantastic Honeybush tea. It will instantly take you back to all the celebrations you have had while enjoying a piece of decadent chocolate cake. Honeybush is the perfect pair with this type of flavor. The simple refreshing taste of the honeybush stands aside to let the chocolate chips and caramel cream pieces take center stage. The rose petals offer a very light floral taste that is also a decorative touch. Impress your guests or simply enjoy this with your sweetheart.
Taster’s Review:
Does anyone remember the Bill Cosby routine when he talked about having to fix his kids breakfast one morning, and he fed them all chocolate cake? Every time I think of chocolate cake, I always hear that song in my head: “Dad is great, give us chocolate cake.” As I brewed this tisane, I was singing that song! (Fortunately, nobody was around)
This tisane tastes delightful. Chocolate and caramel … oh my! The honeybush base is sweet and slightly nutty, which seems to play to the cake-y flavor. The caramel seems to be more of a background flavor, but it adds a nice sweetness and interesting dimension of rich, creamy flavor. I can even taste a very subtle hint of rose.
Because honeybush tends to be a somewhat thinner bodied tisane, I find myself really appreciating the addition of the caramel and rose. They add interest and depth to what otherwise might be a rather thin-tasting cuppa.
But when it comes right down to the subject of chocolate cake – what really matters is the chocolate. Am I right? And I am loving the chocolate-y taste in this tisane. It is sweet and decadent. To get the most chocolate out of this tisane, I recommend steeping it for a minimum of eight minutes (longer if you can). Honeybush lacks the tannins of tea leaves so it won’t get bitter, no matter how long you brew it. And the longer it steeps, the more chocolate-y it becomes! Let it steep for 10 – 12 minutes and you have some serious chocolate-y deliciousness in a teacup!