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!
Organic Ginger Calendula from Spicely Organics
Ginger can be an amazing addition to most things: stir frys, breads, teas, etc. It’s got a great flavor and when used right it shines and helps other flavors shine as well.
In teas, I find it best when it contributes spice and lots of it. One can even buy packets of ginger crystals which dissolve in hot water (not exactly tea but close enough) and it contributes such a delightful spicy burn. So, when I see a tea with Ginger in its name, I expect that heat. Like a hug from the inside. The ginger in this doesn’t quite have that hug-level ginger but there is a little kick that would be similar to one of those back pat hugs guys do when they don’t actually want to hug if I am keeping with the metaphor. The ginger is there but it just didn’t want to fully commit.
Regardless of the lack of spice I was hoping for, this goes down quite easily. The base is smooth and honeyed and provides a nice foundation for the ginger to build on. I don’t think the calendula is doing much but if it is, it would be adding some more sweetness to keep this mellow.
All in all, I think this could do with a bit more heat. Some more spice and this would be perfect. As it is, it is still quite nice though and certainly a different sort of caffeine-free option to enjoy in the evenings when you’re not in the mood for fruity or dessert-like flavors.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Red Rooibos Blend
Where to Buy: Spicely Organics
This tea is no longer available but these teas are!