Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black, Rooibos (Red)
Where to Buy: Mariage Freres
Tea Description:
Autumn, which turns maple leaves fiery red, is a good time to indulge in a delicious treat that erases the bitterness of rainy days. That is why Mariage Frères has employed an almost forbidden fruit – marrons glacés, a famous French indulgence ever since the days of Louis XIV – to create its new “Autumnal Red” tea.
A red rooibos from South Africa, mild in taste with very little tannin, has been combined with the flavour of fine candied chestnuts and Bourbon vanilla, yielding a most striking yet smooth cup, warm and festive, with fruity and slightly spicy harmonies that precede a final note of honey and dried fruit.
PREPARATION ADVICE FOR 1 CUP :
Amount of tea leaves: 2.5g
Best water temperature: 95 °C
Infusion time: 3-5 min
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The aroma of this tea in dry form is delicious! It has a roast-y, nutty, and vanilla scent that made me instantly think of amaretto yet there was this cinnamon essence in there as well. It didn’t take me long to decide to steep this up for a review.
Now most of you know I do not care for red rooibos, however there is little of it in here, and in addition, I feel the rooibos flavor truly does add to this blend.
This tea is quite sweet. Honey like sweetness. I could see how for some it may be a little too sweet.
The lingering after taste of vanilla, honey, and spiced, candied, nuts is quite nice and I notice absolutely no astringency.
There is also a lighter note within this tea which seems to peek out every now and then, although I do not detect it on each sip, and that is of a plum-like flavor. This note reminds me of the poem “Twas The Night Before Christmas” for some reason, the line about sugarplums dancing in people’s heads. Anyway when this note presents, its much brighter, which is a nice change from the heavier sweeter taste I was getting most of the time. The more the tea cooled the more I noticed the fruity lift.
I loved both the depth of this tea, the sweet heavier notes and the light fruity note that came out now and then. It seems to me to be perfect for this time of the year but certainly one I would enjoy year round!
Strawberry Lemon Basil from ESP Emporium
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos (red), Tisane
Where to Buy: ESP Emporium
Tea Description:
Only the best for the spoiled berry, the queen amongst the gourmets … A hint of lemon, just the perfect helping of basil and a carpet of red roses with fanfares! Take this “state visit” home with you and you’ll soon win all votes.
Ingredients: Rooibos tea, basil, flavoring, freeze-dried strawberry pieces and lemon granules (fruit (lemon juice), malt dextrin, natural lemon oil, gelling agent: sodium alginate), red rose petals.
Serving Size: 1-2 level tsp./6oz serving
Brew Temp: 203 to 212 degree F
Brew Time: 8 to 10 Minutes
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I love it when someone wants to do a tea trade and asks me for a tea I have not had myself in ages. It is a nice reminder to dig something out and enjoy it all over again! This is what happened with this lovely red rooibos tisane!
As I have said in other reviews – I’m not big on red rooibos, but once in awhile there is one that grabs my attention. I have had this in my stash for quite awhile now and it is overdue time to savor it again.
Speaking of savoring something – this is quite the savory tea – although it is also quite sweet. It may even be a little too sweet for some but the lemon and basil do a wonderful job of aiding in it becoming cloying.
Upon first sip, the ripe sweet strawberry flavor is most present, then followed nicely by the basil, with lemon not far behind to give a nice cleansing of the palate and taking away the initial sweetness of the sip. I appreciate that the lemon is not too tart as well.
This tea is good cold but I prefer it hot, although I have read where most others prefer it iced. You can let your own taste buds decide how you like it but the fact that it is a versatile tisane is nice.
Roses take only a minor role in the cup so if you are not a fan of the more floral teas I would not shy away from giving this one a try. The rose comes though not in the aroma but in the flavor and only a slight bit yet I find personally I have to really swish the tea around in my mouth to get that flavor. The rose is also present in the aftertaste for only a few moments – as if they bloom quickly and then the petals delicately blow away into thin air.
Another thing I love about this tea is in my opinion red rooibos is a difficult tea to work with. Too many times the rooibos flavor takes over and the other flavors become hidden elements or are not complimentary. This blend works perfectly with the natural flavor of the rooibos, which is why it is still in my cupboard.
One could say this is a lovely summer brew but I am finding it will be a nice tea to sip on in colder weather. Between its savory appeal and the strawberry, lemon, and rose, it will be a nice reminder of the warmer days as well.
A big thank you to my tea trade parter for reminding me to appreciate this good tea hiding in my stash!
Pumpkin Pie from Suffuse Tea
Tea Type: Rooibos
Where To Buy: Suffuse Tea
Product Description:
Premium, 100% natural Suffuse Rooibos is perfectly blended with the finest ingredients in the world. To get the best taste, you have to use the best ingredients. Pure fruit, crushed spices and herbs are used – providing the wholesome goodness that makes these infusions as healthy as they are delicious! Please click on the pictures below to find out more information about our large variety of red and green Rooibos teas. Many of these herbal infusions are available in a variety of sizes including; box of 24 tea bags, 1/2 lb loose leaf, 1 lb loose leaf, and pre-portioned brewer pouches.
Tasters Review:
You haven’t tried a Pumpkin Flavored Tisane until you’ve tried this Pumkin Pie Red Rooibos from Suffuse Tea! Here’s why…
You know how some Pumpkin flavored products including pumpkin flavored tea/tisanes smell bitter, old, spicy, peppery, artificial, etc? Well, THIS pumpkins smells very sweet! The more I think about this lovely pumpkin aroma the more I think it’s the closest natural pumpkin scent I have ever sniffed! It reminds me of a Sweet Potato sort of sweet. The pumpkin smells quite pleasant!
This is a bagged tea – one from their Festive Medley Box!
I didn’t noticed much of a pie-likeness to it but everything else was yummy-sweet.
This bagged tea is very flavorful and very sweet! This is one sweet pumpkin, folks! I really like this! It’s enjoyable both hot and cold!
