Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Yerba Maté & Rooibos
Where to Buy: Fusion Tea Room
Product Description:
Ingredients: Green yerba mate, organic green rooibos, organic rooibos, pistachios, coconut chips, lime leaves, lime zest, almonds, lime pieces, lime juice, natural flavor.
Read More about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
As I write this review, it is spring. And even though it is spring, it is chilly and raining. Yesterday, it was sunny and warm. Just a few days ago, it was hailing. Just another week here in the Pacific Northwest where, when it comes to the weather, you must learn to expect the unexpected.
You’re probably wondering why I’m telling you this. Well, because this tisane is a bit like springtime in a teacup. So, even though it is not very spring-like outside, I am enjoying spring inside with this tea.
The combination of Green Yerba Maté and green and red rooibos creates a very smooth base for the flavors of pistachio, lime, coconut and almond to develop. The base is mild but with a refreshing, lively taste, complimenting the juicy taste of lime and sweetness of the nuts and coconut.
The lime offers a pleasant tartness, and yet the sweetness from the other ingredients ensure that the tartness never becomes too overwhelming. I like how the lime lingers in the aftertaste. It’s a crisp, zesty kind of taste.
This is a really lovely fusion of flavors. I like that I can taste notes from each ingredient. While the lime is the strongest note, no one ingredient becomes too aggressive to overthrow the balance of tastes. It has a delicious tropical flair to it that is perfect on days like this – when you want springtime but the weather is not complying with that desire.
Strawberry Ginger from Fusion Tea Room
Tea Type: Fruit/Herbal Tisane
Where To Buy: Fusion Tea Room
Product Description:
Green leaves, dark-red blossoms and bright fruits shine intensively. Truly a feast for the eyes. Thanks to some select, dried fruits and plants, this herb tea blend has a sweet taste and is very aromatic. In the background hibiscus and ginger softly unfold their typical characteristics. Fruity sweet and spicy fresh flavors ennoble this blend.
Ingredients: Apple pieces, rose hip peel, hibiscus, wild strawberry leaves, lemon myrtle, sweet blackberry leaves, flavoring, ginger pieces, strawberry slices.
Tasters Review:
This is VERY tasty and refreshing! It’s mostly strawberry with a small amount of ginger underneath. It’s not an artificial strawberry and I am very happy about that. It’s almost like water with fresh strawberries in it! If you can ‘picture that’. The other ingredients such as the apple, hibiscus, blackberry leaves, etc are all very mild but blend together nicely for the overall flavor. I enjoy this both hot and cold! A tasty cup any time of year!
Apple Strudel from Fusion Tea Room
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Fruit/Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Fusion Tea Room
Product Description:
This fruit creation is spicy and fruity with a deliciously creamy aftertaste. Just like the freshly served, steamy apple strudel from Vienna. Air dried apples and strong cinnamon pieces hit your palate as the cream flavor finishes nicely giving it a smooth finish.
Taster’s Review:
My first thought when I reached for this pouch of tea was “Yum! Apple strudel!” I was in the mood for something a little sweet and this tisane certainly filled the bill.
While I can see the connection with apple strudel, this tisane tastes a bit more like warm apple-berry cider to me. It has a very autumnal taste, like something you’d want to share with friends while warm and cozy next to the fireplace.
The apple flavor is sweet yet tart. Off the top of my head I might compare it to the flavor of a ripe Jonagold apple. I like the way the apple is represented here because even though it’s named after an apple dessert, it doesn’t come off as too confectionery. Of course, the hibiscus has a little something to do with that as I can taste the tartness from this herb. But the hibiscus was added with care to this blend – it doesn’t overpower the blend, nor does it come off as too tart. The liquor is not too thick or syrupy, but does have a little bit of body to it (as well as color) that it would lack without the hibiscus.
The berry notes of elderberry and currant also lend a sweet-tart taste to the cup, but again, they don’t overwhelm the cup. The apple is the strongest note of this tisane, and as this is called “Apple Strudel” – that’s just the way it should be.
The nutty flavor in the background is a nice touch, as is the cinnamon. While the cinnamon here is one of the stronger flavors of this cup, it is not what I would consider to be a spicy cinnamon taste. It is more like the sweet cinnamon flavor you’d find in an apple pie (or apple strudel!)
This is a yummy tisane that I enjoy hot for it’s apple-cider-y likeness, but it also makes a very charming iced tea that kids as well as adults will enjoy.
Apple Pear Tulsi from Fusion Tea Room
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Fruit/Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Fusion Tea Room
Product Description:
The slightly sweet subtle mint flavor of the tulsi herb pairs wonderfully with the addition of apple and pear. Tulsi has an anti stress calming effect that is naturally caffeine free so it’s perfect anytime of the day. This herbal tea is especially refreshing over ice.
Taster’s Review:
The first time I steeped this tea, I don’t think I used enough leaf, because I didn’t manage to extract much flavor. Of course, I didn’t bother to read the steeping instructions on the package that suggest using one and a half teaspoons per cup. I only used one teaspoon, and what a difference that half a teaspoon makes!
This is the second time I’ve tasted this tisane, and this time, I used the right amount of leaf, and the results are a delicious tisane – I mean, really delicious!
The Tulsi imparts a hint of minty flavor to the cup, but the real stars of this tisane are the apple and pear flavors. These two flavors meld together so well. The flavor is sweet and nectar-like. The next flavor that I taste is the cinnamon – it is sweet but also delivers just a slight heat to the cup as well. This tisane is full of flavor!
I do recommend adding a little sweetener to the cup to help bring out some of the subtle notes of this tisane. It is good without the sweetener, but with it, it is even better. I can taste the pineapple and even the sharpness of the sunflower with this addition. And most importantly, be sure not to skimp on the amount of leaf you use when you steep this tea. You’ll be rewarded with a very flavorful cup of tea!
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!