Product Description:
Ready to Drink Tisane from Argo Tea.
Ingredients: fresh brewed mint tea (water, peppermint), pure cane sugar, lime juice concentrate, natural mint flavor.
Contains 7% juice.
Learn more about this product here.
Taster’s Review:
As I’ve said before, I don’t purchase many ready-to-drink teas. In fact, according to my husband, I point my nose up at them, inferring that I’m a tea snob. And while I accept this label, I don’t really think this particular action has earned it. Most ready-to-drink teas are over-sugared and overly saturated with flavorings to hide the flavor of the tea. Why would anyone do that to a tea? It seems as though it should be a criminal act.
And while this ready-to-drink “tea” has done very little to assuage my opinion of most ready-to-drink tea products (here is an exception), the fault really isn’t with this particular product but with me, as I didn’t take the time to read the label properly. This is actually an herbal tisane, and not a tea (as it contains no Camellia Sinensis leaves), so there is no tea to actually be tasted.
That being said, this is actually quite a tasty tisane. I am not finding it to be overly sweet … sweet, yes, perhaps a bit sweeter than I would have liked, but, not so sweet that I’m put off by it. And I like that what I taste is peppermint and lime over the sweetness. I like that it is made with pure cane sugar, and not some syrup. Yeah, yeah, I saw the commercial and I know that “sugar is sugar,” and the body doesn’t know the difference between cane sugar and corn syrup, but, I’d like to think that my palate does.
Truth be told, what lead me to this purchase was the pretty glass bottle. Yeah, I’m a sucker for neat packaging. But it was enjoyable enough for me to pick up another bottle of it if I happen to be out and about and in need of hydration. Not something that I’ll keep stocked in my fridge, but I am now interested to try the other flavors that Argo Tea offers, and that fact alone makes this a better product than most of the ready-to-drink tea offerings out there.
Ginger Ginseng from The Persimmon Tree
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: The Persimmon Tree
Tisane Description:
A beautiful blend of ginger, ginseng, chamomile, rose hips, orange peel and mint that soothes with every sip.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I know I’ve said this before, but I’m going to say it again. I’m apprehensive when it comes to herbal teas (or tisanes). Most that I’ve tried, I’ve actually quite enjoyed, but there seems to be some programmed automated response built into my hard drive that recoils when I receive an herbal tisane to review. So, I tend to put off trying it, and then when I do finally try it, I end up irritated with myself for not having tried it sooner.
As is the case with this tisane. It actually tastes really good. But, as I’m naturally hesitant when it comes to herbal tisanes and I am not all that fond of ginseng, this tisane had already been marked with a double whammy. But, I managed to talk myself into trying it tonight, and I must say that I’m happily surprised by the flavor of it.
While it does taste herbaceous, it doesn’t taste overly medicinal. Every ingredient is masterfully balanced here to deliver a flavor that is not only gentle and soothing, but palate-pleasing as well. The ginger is sweet with just a hint of spice. That spice tone is mellowed with a touch of mint and chamomile. I can even taste a note of orange in this which is really nice. I don’t taste much from the ginseng, which given my dislike for the herb, I consider the lack of ginseng flavor here a real plus. Additional bonus points should also be awarded to The Persimmon Tree for refraining from using hibiscus in this blend. It doesn’t need it, and I’m glad that they didn’t add it.
It has a very calm, relaxing flavor, perfect for after a big meal, or later in the evening when its time to settle down and prepare for rest.
Fairytale from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
Fairytale tea is an inspired blend of colorful herbs and flowers whose vivid infusion and magical aroma will take you back to your childhood fairytales of magic and romance, lovely damsels and dashing princes. It has a smooth light taste with a slightly minty finish and a hint of spice. Just the right combination to accompany your imagination on its magical journey…
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The dry leaf of this tisane looks and smells gorgeous! Lots of blossoms and petals – chamomile, jasmine, osmanthus, rose and calendula – to please the eye and the nose. Once brewed, the aroma is quite herbal, so that worried me a bit. But I could also smell a promising note of peppermint.
The flavor is really quite nice, despite that herbal note. I’m not a fan of an overly herbal-y or medicinal tasting tisane, but, I think that the other flavors in this tisane keep it from tasting like a cup of medicine. The peppermint is a subtle flavor, and I like the way it melds with the other flavors in this blend.
I like the floral combination of this blend – it creates a flavor that is definitely flowery but not distinct. That is to say, it tastes like flowers … but not like any one particular flower. Instead, I taste sweet floral notes with fewer sharp tones and without any perfume-y taste.
When I first started sipping on this, I was a little disappointed that I did not taste any anise. But now that I’m about halfway through the cup, the flavor of the anise has developed. It is just a hint of licorice. Kind of like sneaking a quick treat before bed!
While I enjoyed this tisane while it lasted, I can’t say that this is my favorite cup from Shanti tea, because it isn’t. However, it is one of the tastier “bedtime” blends that I’ve encountered, and that is saying something, because there are a lot of bedtime blends out there. And it certainly does what it is supposed to … I can feel my body and mind relax and I do believe a good night’s sleep will follow.
Santa’s Secret from David’s Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: David’s Tea
Product Description:
Ever wonder how Santa manages to deliver all those presents in just one night? Well here’s the hush-hush formula. He uses a special combination of Chinese black tea, peppermint leaves and spices – all sprinkled with real little candy canes. It’s both energizing and remarkably soothing. All Santa needs is one cup and his motto changes from “ho ho ho” to “go go go”.
Taster’s Review:
Every year I try to tell my family that Santa would prefer tea instead of milk with the cookies we sit out for the jolly old elf. They don’t believe me, but maybe this tea will convince them!
My first reaction – my first sip – was CANDY CANE! It was sweet, minty and delicious. Now that I’ve taken a few sips, it tastes a little less like candy cane (although that taste is still there), and more like a black tea that has been flavored with candy cane. The mint flavor is just right – it doesn’t taste overly minty. It tastes crisp and fresh and exhilarating with a sweetness that is not too sweet. Perfect for dipping your favorite Christmas cookies!
The black tea base is strong without being overly aggressive. It seems to be in perfect harmony with the mint flavor. It is a very well-balanced cup.
I find this to be delightful as a hot tea and that’s just what I want this time of year. It has a refreshingly sweet taste that requires no additions, although it might be nice with a splash of milk.
Yep, I think Santa would be a very JOLLY old elf indeed if you surprised him with a cup of this tea instead of a glass of milk!
Moroccan Mint Green Tea from Earthbound Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Earthbound Tea
Product Description:
Green tea, freshly picked peppermint, and a soothing minty taste. What more do you need?
Taster’s Review:
I have tasted many “Moroccan Mint” teas, but like with Earl Grey teas, just because they have the same name, that doesn’t mean they taste the same. Some are mintier than others, and some are so minty that you think you’re sipping on mouthwash instead of tea. Some have so little mint flavor that you might be left wondering if someone mislabeled the package.
But this Moroccan Mint from Earthbound Tea is just right. It offers a nice balance of both mint and green tea flavor. Earthbound Tea does not indicate what type of green tea is used in this blend, but based upon the appearance and flavor of the tea I would guess it is a gunpowder green. It has a lightly sweet flavor with notes of a buttery/toasted nut flavor in the background, which gives a nice contrast to the crisp, vibrant flavor of peppermint.
The two ingredients – peppermint and green tea – are pretty evenly matched. The peppermint does not overwhelm the delightful flavors of the green tea, which means a clean, minty taste without tasting like a mouthful of toothpaste. It has a uplifting flavor – just right for that boost that we all seem to need at mid-day!