Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Guayusa
Where to Buy: Runa
Product Description:
An Amazonian blend of energizing guayusa with full-bodied cinnamon and aromatic lemongrass.
Taster’s Review:
At first sniff, this became a blend I was not too sure about. I mean, I like cinnamon, and I like lemongrass, and I have also really been enjoying the guayusa that I’ve been trying. But what caught me off-guard here was the aroma of the dry leaf. It smelled cinnamon-y, sure, but I think I was expecting more “spice” from it. Perhaps I’ve been a little too spoiled by all the masala chai blends I drink!
Even though the dry leaf fragrance was not quite what I was thinking it would be, I am loving the scent of the brewed tisane. It smells warm and cinnamon-ish, reminding me a bit of cinnamon toast!
And it tastes really good. The cinnamon is strong, but it isn’t that spicy-hot kind of cinnamon taste, this is more of a savory cinnamon: warm, sweet and lightly spiced. The lemongrass comes through like a whisper throughout the sip, showing itself here and there. It is in the finish and aftertaste that the lemongrass takes its moment to shine with a crisp, citrus-y note.
These two flavors are a perfect match with the earthy/vegetative note of the guayusa. The earthy notes of the guayusa play well to the earthy tones of the cinnamon, while the vegetal taste of the guayusa enhance the lemongrass notes. It is a symphony on the palate – very enjoyable, indeed!
Organic Rabbit Hole Chai Tea from The Rabbit Hole
Tea Type: Chai (Black Tea Base)
Where To Buy: The Rabbit Hole
Product Description:
Sweet, smooth and spicy. Sounds like the recipe for a steamy love affair. Brew our chai with milk and a squeeze of honey then cosy up to this gorgeous hottie.
Warning – herbs can have side effects. Check with your medical practitioner if you are pregnant/breastfeeding/taking medication or unsure if this blend is suitable for you.
Tasters Review:
I have to say I am down-right excited and giddy to bring several Rabbit Hole Tea Reviews to you over the next few weeks and months! This Organic Rabbit Hole Chai is the first of many we will be reviewing here at SororiTEA Sisters! The Rabbit Hole Organic Tea Bar is located in Australia and online and I must say I am VERY impressed with this company, their offerings, and their customer service!
As for their signature Chai…the dry aroma is very memorable! It has that chai aroma but the black tea is bold and not hidden by the spices AND is almost fruity to the nose…maybe a little bubblegum type scent to it trying to hide underneath. It’s quite unique.
Once infused the spices play a wonderful part! The bubblegum or fruit notes I was smelling before were no longer there but there is a surprising sweetness to the taste and a perfect-for-my-preferences-chai taste to it!
This is a very special chai! I like this! Probably one of my favorite chai’s to date! I downed 3 infusions rather fast – shortly after my initial taste-test…I couldn’t help it…IT was just THAT good!
Spice with Rooibos from Chai-Wallah’s
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Chai-Wallah’s
Product Description:
Our organic chai spice with Fair Trade Organic Rooibos (pronounced “roy-boss”) or Red Tea from South Africa. High in antioxidants , low in tannins and caffeine free it has a natural nutty sweet taste which is enhanced the longer it is boiled. Our Rooibos Chai is surprisingly full-bodied and satisfying without the caffeine kick yet soothing any time of the day.
Taster’s Review:
Having tried a few different chai blends from Chai-Wallah’s now, I can say one thing with complete confidence: you can always count on Chai-Wallah’s to deliver on the spice! This Spice with Rooibos is no exception. It is one SPICY chai!
I am really surprised at how much I am liking this, especially given my feelings for rooibos. But, this tisane has a couple of things going for it that an ordinary rooibos doesn’t have. First, it’s organic, and as I’ve said before, there is a difference in flavor between the conventionally-grown rooibos and organically-grown rooibos. Second, this one has a very bold level of spices that doesn’t actually mask the rooibos, but the natural sweet, nutty flavor of the rooibos seems to work perfectly with the spice blend.
As I’ve already mentioned, this is a spicy blend. However, the spices have a nice harmony going on… the ginger and pepper represent the strongest peppery notes, but the cinnamon also comes on strong, while the cloves and cardamom provide a nice, radiant warmth in the background.
Served hot, I find this to be warm and comforting. Not a lot of sweetener is needed here, because there is a natural sweetness delivered by the rooibos. But I do find that a tiny drizzle of honey gives the cup a nice, round flavor.
However, in this weather, hot is just… well, too hot! I recommend trying this as an iced latte! Here’s how I made it:
- Brew a concentrated amount of Spice with Rooibos from Chai-Wallah’s.
- After allowing it to come to a cooler temperature, I put the brewed chai in the freezer to let it get to a slushy-ice texture.
- Add the slushy chai, a few ice cubes, and some milk to the blender, and blend until it’s well blended.
Another idea derived from this method is to make a chai granita!
YUM!!!
Tropical Spice from Tea Licious
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Tea Licious
Product Description:
White tea, ginger root, orange peel, peach, marigold & safflower
Taster’s Review:
I really like the pairing of ginger and peach, it’s one of those wonderful, classic combinations. This ginger peach white tea is especially nice with its addition of the orange peel – it gives the tea just a little something extra. A nice surprise.
The white tea base is light. Delicate. It has a smooth, clean taste to it. It isn’t grassy or vegetative. It isn’t bitter or astringent. Just beautifully soft.
To keep up with the white tea’s delicate tone, the flavoring here is also soft. The peach note is sweet – it’s like a little kiss of peach. Not a lot of peach, because not a lot is needed. But, it is sweet and tastes like a ripe, juicy peach. It melds nicely with the white tea.
The ginger – which is often a dominating spice – is rather understated here as well. It lends a hint of peppery taste to the cup. Just enough to keep it interesting without overthrowing the balance of flavors.
A very good ginger peach tea – delicious hot or cold. This is a favorite tea after meals because the ginger aids in digestion and the lovely sweetness of the peach is a bit like dessert in a teacup! Tasty!
Black Celebration Tea from TeaScapes
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: TeaScapes
Product Description:
This tea is a celebration of colors and mixed flavors. The blended tea is a beautiful melody of tea leaves, rose petals, almonds, cornflower petals, orange peels and more. This exquisite Black Celebration tea won an award at the 2008 World Tea Championship for having the best aroma and flavor. The brewed tea offers up a spicy taste for the palate. It infuses for just 3 minutes, allowing the flavors and aromas to intertwine to create a zesty golden liquor. The flavor is naturally sweet and uplifting.
Taster’s Review:
When I first opened this package, I thought that this was a fruit and spice melangé rather than a black tea. There are huge chunks of dried fruit, herbs, and spices in this with some black tea leaves. It really looks more like a fruit tea than a black tea.
Taste wise, this has a lot going on. It’s a bit like a flavor explosion! There is a pleasant fruity background comprised mostly of orange notes but I can also taste hints of apple. The fruit provides an essential sweetness to the cup. A hint of nutty sweetness also contributes to the sweet aspect of this cup, and gives an interesting contrast to the spicy notes that dominate this cup.
Then there is the cinnamon. The cinnamon is the strongest flavor of this cup. It starts out rather mild with its a gentle, soothing spice. Gradually, the cinnamon flavor builds and by about mid-cup, the cup is quite zesty!
The black tea is not a strong component to this cup, and I do wish it were a little stronger. A little richer. That is not to say that this isn’t an absolutely delightful cup of tea, because it is. I love spicy-hot cinnamon flavors, and this tea has definitely got that. At the same time, I don’t think you can toss a few black tea leaves into a fruit and spice melangé and call it a black tea. This is a tasty cup of tea, but, I can’t help but wish it had a little something more.