Flaming Chocolate Maté from 52Teas

by liberteas

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Yerba Maté

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Tisane Description:

Ready for a bit of heat and a bit of sweet? How about a nice caffeine kick to boot? Here’s some roasted yerba mate blended with organic cacao nibs and cayenne pepper for a delicious, caffeinated kick in the mouth.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

I love contrasting flavors like spicy and sweet, so I was confident that this Flaming Chocolate Maté would be right up my alley.

And yes, I’m loving this!  The chocolate is a little on the light side, but, it is incredibly smooth and deliciously sweet.  The cayenne pepper doesn’t really launch a full assault on the taste buds, in fact, throughout the sip, it is just barely there.

It is in the aftertaste where I really feel the delightful burn on the back of my tongue and throat. I like that this isn’t too hot where I feel like my taste buds have been burned.  It isn’t so hot that I feel like my mouth is on fire, but it definitely brings the heat in it’s own gentle way, like slow-burning embers.

The rich, roasted taste of the yerba maté is there too.  Because it is a roasted maté, this is more earthy tasting than vegetative, and I think that works to this tisane’s advantage.  The roasted flavor enhances the flavor of the chocolate, bringing out the richness of the cacao.

This is a delicious, invigorating, spicy-yet-sweet cuppa … perfect for those mornings when you need a little something to get you on your way!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in 52Teas, Tea Company, Type Of Tea, Yerba Maté

Vanilla Macadamia Nut Mate from Tea Chai Té

by liberteas

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Yerba Maté

Where to Buy:  Tea Chai Té

Tisane Description:

This new organic yerba mate blend is fantastic with a nutty flavor and sweet vanilla aroma. Mate is blended with vanilla and macadamia nut oils.  Organic & Mateinated.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

This is one of the three teas/tisanes that I picked up at the new Sellwood location (just look for a fiery red train caboose!) when I visited them a couple of weeks ago.  Yerba Maté is not typically something I’d choose and that’s one of the reasons that I selected this one.  I wanted to step outside my comfort zone a little bit.  That, and I couldn’t resist the flavor combination.  Vanilla and macadamia nut?  That sounds amazingly yummy.  I had to try it!

The aroma of the dry leaf is incredible.  It has a heady vanilla scent with a delicious nutty fragrance in the background.  The yerba maté appears to be either a green (possibly a smoked green) or a very lightly roasted yerba maté – or perhaps a blend of green and roasted yerba maté.  I kind of expected it to be a roasted yerba maté as I figured that the roasted tones would unite quite deliciously with the macadamia nut, so I was kind of surprised to see a green yerba maté here.

Oh!  This is really tasty.  I like the subtle vegetal notes as well as the earthy tones that the green yerba maté provide.  The vanilla is prominent, and it offers a very smooth, sweet flavor that is quite nice.  I’m used to tasting vanilla flavoring with the leaves of camellia sinensis, and I do enjoy vanilla flavored teas, but, I’m also really enjoying the vanilla yerba maté.  Because there is no astringency to the yerba maté, the creamy tones of the vanilla are not interrupted.  It is smooth from start to finish.

Also nice is the way the macadamia nut develops.  It starts out as a light flavor, weaving its way in and out of the sip, but not being very assertive one way or the other.  Then, by mid-cup, it is deliciously macadamia nutty!  YUM!

This is delicious served straight up and hot, but, it is also quite good iced.  I also think I might try making a latte out of this, it would be quite a decadent treat!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Yerba Maté

Rainforest Maté Tea from The Spice & Tea Exchange

by liberteas

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Yerba Maté

Where to Buy:  The Spice & Tea Exchange

Tisane Description:

Spice and fruit unite in this unique herbal melange composed of energizing mate’ tea, licorice, spices, rosehips and pineapple chunks that refresh and revitalize when brewed. Moderate Caffeine.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

This tisane has a lot going on, but it all works together very nicely.  The cloves offer the most prominent flavor of this cup, followed by a sweet licorice flavor.  I don’t taste much of the distinct earthiness of the Yerba Maté, and given the natural earthy qualities of the spices I don’t think that earthy/vegetal tone is really necessary and might detract from the delicious flavors that the spices provide.

By the end of the sip, mint tones begin to peek out without becoming too overwhelming.  I like the mint notes here, they are mere hints of minty goodness rather than an overpowering mint flavor … which is rather nice as I know from my own experience of blending teas that it is not easy to keep mint from taking over.

The sweet pineapple gives this tisane a luscious, fruity tone that is almost a surprise with the first couple of sips.  With the start of the sip comprised of warm (but not spicy) spice, I didn’t really expect the sweet, juicy flavor of pineapple to shine through, but it does!  Right about mid-sip, the pineapple begins to weave its way in and out of the sip.  It’s quite nice!

In the background there are hints of floral notes that seem to complete the rainforest-y theme that this tisane embraces.  I love how this tisane doesn’t just call itself a “rainforest” blend – it actually captures the spirit of what I imagine from a rainforest.  Zesty, but with a cool, crisp mint coming in toward the end.  Sweet, starting with a sweet yet snappy licorice note which is followed by a lovely pineapple flavor.  It all comes together in a very refreshing and energizing way!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Spice Melange, Yerba Maté

Guayusa Tea with Yerba Maté and Ginseng from Stash Tea

by liberteas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa and Yerba Maté

Where to Buy:  Stash Tea

Tea Description:

GUAYUSA (gwhy-you-sa) is a rare herbal tea produced from the leaves of a holly tree (ilex guayusa) native to the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador. Guayusa is naturally caffeinated and has an awakening effect similar to coffee and yerba mate. For this signature blend, Guayusa is paired with yerba mate and ginseng for an invigorating brew that is sure to awaken your senses.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

This blend really surprised me.  It doesn’t really taste at all like what I expected, which was a very earthy and vegetative/herbaceous kind of taste.  I didn’t really get that at all.  This tastes more like a very smooth, sweet coffee.

It has a warm, nutty kind of taste:  rich, slightly earthy and sweet.  I taste very little of the ginseng.  I also taste very little of the yerba maté … or at least, what I’ve come to recognize as yerba maté.  I taste Guayusa, but, it tastes sweeter than the Guayusa I’ve tasted in the past … perhaps a result of the combination of the other components. It’s really quite tasty!

It’s invigorating, too.  I woke up much too early this morning, and found myself unable to get back to sleep.  So I was very drowsy when I started this cup … but not any more!  I’m awake and ready to go!

I am really glad I got the opportunity to try this blend.  When I received this sample, I wasn’t all that excited about it … but the taste has won me over!  This is really good!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Guayusa, Yerba Maté

Mexican Mango Chili Maté from Capital Teas

by liberteas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Yerba Maté, Rooibos & Green Tea

Where to Buy:  Capital Teas

Tea Description:

A superior blend of green mate, rooibos, and green tea forms a perfect canvas for infusing the brilliant colors and flavors of chili peppers and mango. Inspired by Aztec recipes blending chili with fruits, we’ve also added a dash of coconut and an energizing pop of ginseng for the perfect combination. Try over ice for a spicy cold treat on hot days or enjoy its lingering warmth when brewed hot on a cold day.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

This tea has a lot going on, but, I’m enjoying the way the flavors come together.

The title suggests that this may be a spicy blend, but, it doesn’t start out that way.  A gentle warmth, perhaps, but, I really thought that this would be spicier right from the very first sip.  The spiciness gradually builds, starting with a gentle, cozy warmth and building to that spicy tickle that hits the back of the palate and throat.   By mid-cup, it is much spicier than at the start, and my palate is quite warm long after I’ve taken a sip.

I think that the sweetness of the mango counters the spicier notes of the chili … softening the blow, so to speak.  The mango adds a distinct sweetness, but this doesn’t taste overwhelmingly MANGO.  By mid-cup, though, the mango is much more distinguishable.  The coconut adds a creaminess to the taste as well, which seems to smooth out all the flavors and bring them all together into one unified flavor.  This is not a mango tea, or a chili tea, or a coconut concoction … it is a seamless beverage that offers pleasing notes of many different ingredients, like a treasure chest of flavor, offering many surprises along the way.

The background flavors are earthy, with barely-there notes of vegetation.  I don’t taste a lot of flavor from the Yerba Maté, green rooibos, green tea or even the ginseng as individual components, but, I do taste their collective input.  It becomes more of a medley of collected flavors rather than specific flavor notes that I can pick out and say “this is the Maté” or “this is the green tea.”

From the very first sips as a mild, intriguing set of tastes to the last drop where the flavors are zesty can even be categorized as hot … this is a very enjoyable cuppa.  I really like the way the flavors present themselves, a mass medley of tastes that allow the drinker to discover the various flavors.

Definitely a fun and creative cup!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Green Tea, Rooibos, Yerba Maté