HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Brew La La Tea
Tisane Description:
What more can be said about the excitement of Red Velvet? Well, when you add that special taste into an organic tea, it gets even better!
Learn more about this rooibos blend here.
Taster’s Review:
Today is Thanksgiving, and I don’t know about you, but today is the day that I’m busy thinking about delicious food … but there’s always the downside to that food. The guilt! So for my review today, I selected this Organic Red Velvet Tea from Brew La La Tea, which allows me to enjoy something deliciously dessert-y without the guilt of devouring something that’s full of fat and calories!
And I’ve got to tell you, that this is one of the tastiest “Red Velvet” teas/tisanes that I’ve encountered in a long time. Yeah, I said that about a rooibos blend. And what’s more … this rooibos blend has HIBISCUS in it! How’s that for a shocking revelation? I’m not ordinarily a big fan of rooibos, and you know how I feel about hibiscus. And here we have two ingredients that I’m not so hot for and nevertheless, I’m enjoying this cuppa.
And I think the reason I am enjoying this is that it’s not your traditional Red Velvet. That is, this is not a chocolate-y tisane. And you know me, I love chocolate, but I’m usually just a little disenchanted by the level of chocolate flavor in a Red Velvet tea/tisane.
But with this blend, Brew La La has thought outside the boundaries of what one might expect from a Red Velvet tea. This blend has been thoughtfully crafted. The rooibos adds a hint of nuttiness to the cup but it doesn’t taste overwhelmingly of rooibos. Instead, the nutty tones add a sort of “bake-y” kind of taste to the cup that tricks the palate into thinking that I’m somehow enjoying something cake-ish. And instead of chocolate, there are cherry and vanilla flavors, which together with the hibiscus add a sweet-tangy flavor. My taste buds think that they’re tasting a decadent cream cheese frosting atop a sweet, luscious cake! Yummy!
There are also rose petals in this blend, but I don’t taste a strong “floral” note here. There are some floral nuances that mingle well with the notes of cherry, but it’s never a strong enough note to where I feel like I’m drinking a “rose” tea. It’s just a hint of rose here and there.
If I must offer one complaint about this tisane, it would be that it’s in a teabag, however, I must admit that this is a really tasty tea from a tisane. I do recommend using an extra teabag when you brew this, because I found that this is best when it’s brewed strong.
Overall, a really yummy, naturally caffeine free tisane – great for those sweet cravings late at night!
Velvet Tea Rooibos Blend from Art of Tea
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Art of Tea
Tisane Description:
Sweet enticing chocolate swimming in a deep velvety base of organic rooibos and refreshing mint leaves. The perfect answer to a dessert tea. The finish is smooth, complimented by a touch of vanilla.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
Hmmm … not bad. Not my favorite rooibos blend, and not my favorite tea from Art of Tea, but this Velvet Tea Rooibos Blend makes an enjoyable cuppa. My biggest complaint with it at this point is the name, because while I can see the “Velvet” part of the tisane, at the top of the page on the Art of Tea website, on the index tab thingy, this tea is called “Red Velvet Tea.” I can even *understand* why it would be called that since it’s a rooibos blend (which is also known as “red tea”) and the chocolate-y notes are kind of velvet-y, however, the name “Red Velvet” conjures up too many thoughts of red velvet cupcakes, and this does not taste like red velvet cupcakes.
But that doesn’t mean that it’s not tasty.
It is chocolate-y (although the chocoholic in me does want more chocolate), and there is a nice minty note to this. The mint is cool and crisp and it gives the overall cup a delicious taste that is reminiscent to an after dinner mint. A nice dessert tisane.
I can also taste the apple in this, and it adds a little bit of sweetness to the cup without messing up the balance between chocolate and mint. The rooibos flavor is not very distinct, but that’s just fine with me. I taste vague “nutty” tones to the cup but I find that these seem to enhance the chocolate nicely, giving the cup some depth.
It’s a nice cup, tasty for later in the evening when you want something sweet to curb those cravings, and this won’t ruin your diet. (Yeah, I hate that word too.) It’s good, and I’d drink it again.
Red Velvet Cake Mate from 52Teas
Tisane Description:
Leaf Type: Yerba Maté
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tisane Description:
Our Malted ChocoMate has been one of our most popular blends over the years, well, at least it WAS until this! Here’s roasted yerba mate blended with organic cacao nibs and organic flavors. It’s chocolate and cream cheese frosting and cake in a cup. I thought about adding some red food coloring, but I think you will agree that even if it isn’t red, it’s delicious.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
YUM! To be honest, I wasn’t really … looking that forward to trying this Red Velvet Cake Mate from 52Teas. And I love chocolate!
Here’s the thing … in addition to being a chocoholic and a tea addict, I have a thing for cupcakes. I go nuts over cupcakes. I see a cupcake bakery and I beg my husband to stop just so I can see what flavors they have … and for me, the more outrageous the flavor, the better. (Kind of that way with tea flavors too) I don’t get so excited over cake … oh sure, I won’t turn my nose up at cake … but a cupcake? I love it. I turn into a kid when it comes to cupcakes.
The problem: it seems that every cupcake bakery has a red velvet offering. It’s become the “Earl Grey” of the cupcake world … everyone has one. Not that I knock Earl Grey, I love it as you’re probably aware! And I actually like red velvet cake (and cupcakes) … but, if given a choice between red velvet cake and a chocolate cake … I’d choose chocolate because red velvet seems to me to be like … a lighter version of chocolate. That is, it’s like a chocolate cupcake, but with less chocolate. And if you’ve read my articles for very long, you know that I am a strong supporter of the more chocolate = better concept. And if more chocolate = better, then less chocolate = worse. Simple logic.
So, I guess I was thinking … OK, so this is going to be a “light” chocolate Yerba Maté and I’m going to have to write my article complaining about a lack of chocolate. There are few things that make me more disappointed in a chocolate tea than a lack of chocolate.
Fortunately, Frank of 52Teas apparently does not subscribe to this idea that red velvet cake is a lighter version of chocolate cake, because this is nice and chocolate-y. (However, more chocolate WOULD be better … because more chocolate = better.) And I can taste the tangy cream cheese frosting note. It is sweet and delicious, and I love the roasted flavor of the Yerba Maté … I love that it doesn’t have that strong vegetative note, that the roasted flavor accentuates the earthy tones which complements the chocolate notes very nicely. And then the overtone of creamy, tangy frosting just … it’s the icing on the cake! (haha, I made a punny! Oh gawd I’m a nerd. Please don’t tell my husband I admitted that.)
This is totally yummy. It is rich, chocolate-y, toasty, and tangy! Absolutely scrumptious. Unfortunately, it is also sold out. So, if you want some, you should let Frank know! Contact him via this contact form or, you could tweet him, or visit his facebook page. Please tell him you heard about this tea from me!
Dandelion White Tea from Nature’s Tea Leaf
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Nature’s Tea Leaf
Tea Description:
Dandelion Leaf White Tea is our own blend of Dandelion leaves with select white tea leaves. White tea is well known for its significant levels of antioxidants and is becoming more popular in weight loss programs by helping to block the absorption of fat. The Dandelion has been used for food and as an herb for much of its long history. Among the many benefits of the dandelion is its ability to aid in weight loss by acting as a mild diuretic and reducing excess fluids in the body. Other valuable benefits include acting as a stabilizing agent against extreme high and low blood sugar levels, stimulating the production of digestive juices, and aiding in reducing inflammation in the liver. Dandelion leaves contain significant numbers of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, C and K, and are also a good source of calcium, potassium and iron.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
When I saw Dandelion White Tea from Nature’s Tea Leaf I nearly squeed and I KNEW I HAD to have it!
I love dandelions, yes that’s right love them! I will not turn this review into the myriad of reasons why I love them but lets just say this, I love them so much I have a tattoo of one on my ankle with the dandelion roots going right onto my foot. Dandelions are wonderful gifts of nature.
With that said … This tea … it tastes just like buttery sweet simmered veggies. It reminds me of my veggies from my stir fry before I add one of the many sauces I usually add.
This tea is not bitter as one may fear or think.
It really tastes just like a succulent green tea! Buttery, savory in some ways with herbal type flavors throughout. There is also a slight taste of fenugreek as well. The lingering after taste is reminiscent of avocado. Specifically the part of the avocado that is very close to the skin, a little earthier than the heart of the avocado.
I am so happy to have found that Nature’s Tea Leaf has this tea and will even say, regardless of my love of dandelion, is one of the better white teas I have had in a very long time. I almost said “flavored” white teas but its not even flavored which makes it all the better! Its a beautiful thing what nature can capture in tea, then to add to that a wonderful, beneficial herb like dandelion which is simply not used in enough things, we have perfection!
I am fairly new to Nature’s Tea Leaf as a tea company but I have been looking over their site more since I obtained this tea along with two others from them and I have to say it is wonderful to feel this type of excitement over a tea company.
Dandelion White Tea is creamy in the mouthfeel with a velvet like feeling, more than silky, thicker than that. Its so very naturally sweet I would think adding sugar would make it just too sweet.
This tea calls for a steeping of up to five minutes and I steeped it for a good 4 minutes and got plenty of flavor. I only found one other review on this tea which is on the Nature’s Leaf Tea site and that person said it was bitter to them. While I suppose all of our taste buds are slightly different I have to say I do not detect even the slightest amount of bitterness in this tea. Perhaps this person’s experience was bitter due to over steeping or using the wrong water temp but I don’t want to assume that because this other reviewer may be quite knowledgeable about tea. The point is – remember water temp and steep times are important and I think even more so when dealing with delicate herbs like the dandelion.
So overall – being the dandelion lover that I am I am 100% approving of this lovely tea! Thank you Nature’s Tea Leaf for providing us with some very unusual and wonderful blends!
Zhu Rong Yunnan Black Tea from Verdant Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Verdant Tea
Tea Description:
The aroma of this intensely rich Yunnan black is immediately reminiscent of one of our favorite chocolate’s of all time: the Rogue Chocolatier Hispaniola bar, made with a tangy and nuanced cacao from the Dominican Republic. Imagine a fine dark chocolate melted down and infused with hibiscus. That is the aroma of this tea. It is so rich and fruity it even reminds us of a fine, light roasted coffee.
NOTES: Velvet, Chocolate, Cayenne, Clove, Cinnamon, Molasses, Cream
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Some teas tend to learn toward a specific season for me. Such as Chai which I always prefer in the fall and winter seasons. Or berry teas which I prefer in the spring and summer seasons. What I love about Zhu Rong Yunnan Black Tea from Verdant Tea is that it suits me perfectly in any season!
The aroma of this tea is always inviting, with notes of baked goods, hay, molasses, malt, and even berry!
It has a rich full mouthfeel yet a savory element in the flavor profile that boarders right on the spicy side of life. I can’t think of many unadulterated teas that have so much complexity. From sweet to savory, spicy to fruity. Zhu Rong Yunnan Black Tea from Verdant has it all.
The initial sip gives off notes of chocolate, molasses, and malt, with a spicy kick near the end. The aroma helps you pick up those initial sweeter notes and takes your mind on a baked goods trip, so when the spice elements present themselves it is somewhat of a surprise.
The creaminess of the tea is mostly in the mouthfeel and texture of this tea rather than in the flavor although there is a creamy flavor element as well, that note is more taken over by the spice at the end. You have to notice the creamy flavor in the beginning of the sip.
The spice notes in this tea are not like that of a chai, so don’t let the flavor notes listed above of clove and cinnamon scare you if you are not in favor of spicier teas. I personally pick up more of the cayenne kick rather than cinnamon or clove, and it is only on the tail end of the sip and does not burn or create heat in the mouth. Its just more of a wonderful gentle wake up note that kicks your taste buds and mind into gear. A perfect morning tea!
The berry notes I detect are not listed in the flavor profile of this tea but I get a dark berry and raisin flavor when I swish the tea around my palate.
This is one of my favorite morning teas which is also quite excellent when cooled or iced! Perfect anytime of the year.