Little Black Dress Pink Grapefruit from Teaquilibrium

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Teaquilibrium

Product Description

Teaquilibrium’s Pink Grapefruit is bold refreshing. The colorful combination of citrus and eucalyptus make LBD Pink Grapefruit delicious iced.

ingredients: oolong tea, apple pieces, carrot flakes, blackberry leaves, eucalyptus leaves, beetroot, hibiscus, lemon grass, natural flavor, freeze-dried tangerine pieces, orange slices.

Taster’s Review:

I’m really liking this blend!

After reading through the ingredients, I was a little worried about the combination of hibiscus and Oolong tea, I worried that the somewhat thick, syrupy nature of the hibiscus might interfere with the lovely texture of the Oolong, but, that didn’t happen here.  The hibiscus seems to do very little in this blend – thankfully – except for adding some color and perhaps a little tartness.

But the tartness in this case is quite welcome, because it compliments the tangy citrus flavors so well.  Even though there are several different components to this tea that contribute a citrus flavor, the dominant flavor is that of pink grapefruit. It is tart yet sweet and quite juicy tasting.

At first, I didn’t taste much of the eucalyptus in this, but as I continue to sip, I notice it slightly more.  It is still rather subtle.  It does add some definition to the grapefruit flavor, but, this definitely doesn’t taste like eucalyptus.  It tastes like grapefruit!

The Oolong flavor, by comparison, is a little muted.  Ordinarily, I might find fault with that, however, this is so remarkably tasty that its difficult to complain about the lack of Oolong taste.  This is definitely more of a tea for grapefruit lovers than it is for Oolong lovers, although Oolong lovers might find this a welcome departure from the usual.

Overall, I really enjoyed this cup.  Such a pleasant flavor that I find to be quite invigorating.  It has a very pleasing natural sweetness to it, so little to no additional sweetener is required, which is perfect for those of us who are trying to cut back on the sugar intake!  A great tea for an afternoon out with girlfriends!

Over Achieve Mint from Teaquilibrium

Tea Information:

Leaf Type: Yerba Maté

Where to Buy:  Teaquilibrium

Product Description:

Getting ready for race season or simply want to add some calm pep to your day?

The mouthwatering combination of chocolate and fresh mint has made Achieve Mint a customer favorite.  Overachieve Mint is blended with energizing Yerba Mate to give that sustained boost that mate is known for. This is a fabulous choice for endurance athletes or anyone who wants a natural calm energy.

ingredients: yerba mate, peppermint, cacao nibs, natural chocolate flavor.

Taster’s Review:

This is a really tasty Yerba Maté blend.  The mint is strong but the chocolate does come through nicely.

The Yerba Maté base is a green (not roasted) Maté and offers a hint of its earthy, vegetative flavor.  However, the mint flavor is rather intense here, and it does seem to mask some of the stronger notes of the Yerba Maté.  But, I’m not complaining because I sometimes find the rather distinct flavor of Maté to be a bit too much for me.  With this blend, it’s really quite enjoyable and melds very well with the other flavors.

The peppermint is very strong – this blend is certainly not for those who do not care for mint.  For those of us who do, though, this is a clean, crisp tasting peppermint that invigorates while leaving the palate feeling refreshed.

The chocolate is a bit subtle, but, I am liking how it comes through.  I can really notice the cocoa notes in the aftertaste mingling with the minty flavor.  I also found that the chocolate seems to pop a bit more as the tisane cools, so don’t drink this one piping hot!  Let it cool just a little so that you can enjoy the chocolate flavors!

This tisane reminds me of a peppermint patty (especially the aftertaste), but without the overwhelming sugary sweetness!  A thin layer of chocolate coating … just enough to coat the peppermint but not overpower it … a snappy, vibrant treat that will surely get you going!

I like this one a lot!

Kind of Blue from Teaquilibrium

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong / Honeybush / Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Teaquilibrium

Product Description:

Take five to enjoy Kind of Blue, an irresistible blueberry Oolong jazzed up with fennel.  Rooibos and Honeybush give blend a smooth finish while the Oolong gives the energizing boost.  Improvise this tea with any meal or have it solo for an out of this world jam!

Taster’s Review:

This is really tasty.  I was a little unsure about it, because I can’t recall trying an Oolong/Rooibos/Honeybush blend before, and I wasn’t sure how the three leaves would work together – but together they create one groovy vibe!

This blend is unusual, but in a very good way.  The Oolong lends its rich flavor to the cup as well as a smooth texture.  The rooibos adds a little nutty flavor to the cup, as does the honeybush, plus there is an underlying note of honey-esque sweetness to the cup which melds very well with the blueberry flavoring.  And every once in a while, just at the start of the sip, I’ll note a very slight hint of smoke.  Just a hint – ever so slight – and one that can be missed when not paying attention.

The blueberry flavor is not terribly strong here, and I really wouldn’t want it to be.  I think it’s perfectly flavored, because a stronger blueberry essence would overwhelm the interesting balance that exists between Oolong, honeybush and rooibos, and I’m really enjoying the flavor and body of the cup just the way it is.  Similarly, the fennel doesn’t add a lot of flavor to the cup – just a kiss of licorice-like taste that rests in the background – but any stronger and it would overpower the blueberry.

This is a sweet tasting tea, but it is a pleasant sweetness – not at all cloying.  It’s really delicious, and very different!  In fact, this is one of the more difficult teas to describe that I’ve tasted, simply because it is so different.  It has so many interesting flavors and textures throughout the sip that it is one that you need to try yourself to fully comprehend what I’m trying to express.  And you really should try it – if for no other reason than it’s unique approach … but I think it’s worth a try because it’s really good!

Also makes an awesome ICED tea!

Zest Energizing Tea from Teaquilibrium

Tea Information:

Leaf Type: Yerba Maté

Where to Buy:  Teaquilibrium

Product Description:

Teaquilibrium’s Energizing Sport Tea contains yerba mate, a South American herb known for its plethora of health benefits. A study of yerba mate at The Pasteur Institute and the Paris Scientific society in 1964 concluded that mate contains “practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life.” Mate is also a natural source of caffeine, theobromine (dark chocolate’s euphoric stimulant) and theophylline (tea’s soothing stimulant) which stimulate the central nervous system to create calm energy and mental clarity.

Yerba Mate fuels your muscles and nourishes your body with 15 amino acids, 24 vitamins and minerals including Vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin (B3), B5, B Complex. Natural phytochemicals stimulate your immune system and boost your metabolism.

Taster’s Review:

OK, when I first saw the name of this tea, I was immediately reminded of “the other” Zest (you know, the bar of soap?)

But I’d much rather use THIS Zest as my “eye-opener” – and it certainly does do just that.  The lemon-y flavor is bright and clean… and shall I say it?  Zesty!  The delicious, lemon-y flavor curbs the earthy notes of the yerba maté.  This is not overly earthy or grassy tasting, it is quite smooth for a yerba maté, which sometimes can come off as a little bitter.  I’m not getting that with this cup at all!

The lemon-y flavor is not incredibly tart, although there is a faint, tangy note at the finish that lingers a little bit with a tingly sensation on the tongue.  This is something that is almost barely noticeable unless you’re focusing on it, though.  Mostly what I get from the lemon is a smooth, sweet citrus-y taste that reminds me a bit of lemon curd.

The yerba maté is a green maté (that is, it isn’t roasted), so it has a fresher taste to it which is very fitting with the whole concept of “Zest.”  This tastes fresh and bright and lively!  It is certainly enough to get you going even on those days when you feel sort of sluggish.  This will help rid you of those “sleepyzzz!”

I like to steep this energizing drink in a vessel that I can keep the leaves continually steeping as I sip… so I am using my Libre Mug.  I put the loose leaf into the main chamber, and then add the hot water and allow it to steep for five minutes, then I screw on the filter lid and the filter lid strains the tisane as I sip it.  Since yerba maté lacks the tannins of tea leaves, it doesn’t get bitter from lengthy brew times – it just gets more flavorful!

I like this!

Achieve Mint from Teaquilibrium

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Teaquilibrium

Product Description:

What do you seek to achieve? Better health? Deeper relaxation? Pure bliss? Or simply a cup of tea that delights your taste buds and makes you smile? This Teaquilibrium customer favorite combines antioxidant rich rooibos, refreshing peppermint and pure cacao reminiscent of a minty chocolate dessert.

Try Achieve Mint tea after a meal– it is very satisfying to your sweet tooth without the calories. With raw cacao, one of the highest natural sources of antioxidants you can enjoy this tasty tea guilt-free!

organically grown ingredients: rooibos, peppermint, cacao nibs, natural chocolate flavor

benefits: antioxidant rich, relaxing, promotes bliss

Taster’s Review:

This is a delicious treat.  It tastes like mint chocolate chip ice cream!  YUM!

The mint is the strongest flavor in this cup but it is not so strong that it infringes upon the chocolate.  The two flavors seem perfectly willing to play nicely together.  The chocolate is rich and gives the cup a creamy flavor that smooths out some of the crisp minty tones.  The rooibos flavor imparts very little flavor to the cup – just a hint of nutty notes here – but I’m not complaining.

The overall flavor is sweet making this an ideal choice as a dessert substitution.  Imagine getting all the delicious flavor of a chocolate-y mint without the calories!  This tea makes that possible!

Bravo, Teaquilibrium! What an Achieve-Mint!