Ok, so I was pretty skeptical of this tea. Mostly because bleh, hibiscus. But hey, it’s supposed to be Strawberry Rhubarb, so the tartness should be appropriate, and I like teas with the creaminess of yogurt, so all hope is not lost!
The dry tea smells, to me, exactly like a strawberry Campino candy! Delicious delicious DELICIOUS! I’m so excited! Although guaranteed it won’t taste quite like that since there is hibiscus, but if the strawberry and yogurt come through…!
Steeped, it smells a bit more like realistic strawberries and some tartness, but as it’s cold, there’s not a ton of aroma.
I was very conservative with the infusion time so as not to end up with a mouthful of blechy hibiscus (it worked earlier today for me – I had quite a lovely cup of Paradise Found, which I apparently neglected to log)… and I think I was successful! There are lots of little yogurty floaties, a consequence of the tea cooling, but I can deal with that. I am quite shocked at how well the hibiscus works here though! The tartness pairs perfectly with the very much realistic strawberry flavour, and with the creaminess, I can actually imagine myself to be eating, say, plain yogurt with a lightly sweetened topping of strawberries/rhubarb! Delicious! I imagine that this tea would be absolutely glorious sweetened, but I shan’t ruin it for myself by doing that.
Add another to the potential re-buy list… this one’s pretty good!
ETA: I’m impressed! I re-steeped this one in half the water, and paid no real attention to infusion time, and actually got quite a nice second cup! Surprising because of both the hibiscus and the fact that it’s a herbal! Again, it was a tart drink, but fresh strawberry tart, not hibiscus tart. Not as creamy, of course, but I’d make the effort to use these leaves a second time. Also, I’m kind of sad that pretty much all the new teas were misses for me, or at least, not teas that I’ll miss when the season’s out. Luckily, this one’s the TOTM and I think therefore staying on as permanent, which is awesome!
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That is good to know that the hibiscus isn’t too overpowering. I might pick some of this up now that I know that. Thanks!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s tart. But it works here, and you can definitely taste the strawberry and creaminess, not just hibiscus. It came off moreso to me as an unsweetened fresh fruit sort of tart.
You had the same reaction as me! THIS is how you blend hibiscus! It really works with rhubarb and a genuine tart strawberry flavour.
I too have been conservative with the steeping times on this one. Even at 4 minutes, I found it slightly tarter than the one they gave me in the store, which really makes me wonder either a) how much agave they put in mine, or b) if they’re only giving it 3 minutes in the store, despite the steeping directions on it.
I just wanted to add that I agree about how the hibiscus was blended. I was incredibly surprised at how balanced all the flavours are in this tea!
This is the only tea dt’s has had recently that I’d like to try…. Hmmmm
That is good to know that the hibiscus isn’t too overpowering. I might pick some of this up now that I know that. Thanks!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s tart. But it works here, and you can definitely taste the strawberry and creaminess, not just hibiscus. It came off moreso to me as an unsweetened fresh fruit sort of tart.
You had the same reaction as me! THIS is how you blend hibiscus! It really works with rhubarb and a genuine tart strawberry flavour.
I too have been conservative with the steeping times on this one. Even at 4 minutes, I found it slightly tarter than the one they gave me in the store, which really makes me wonder either a) how much agave they put in mine, or b) if they’re only giving it 3 minutes in the store, despite the steeping directions on it.
I just wanted to add that I agree about how the hibiscus was blended. I was incredibly surprised at how balanced all the flavours are in this tea!
This is the only tea dt’s has had recently that I’d like to try…. Hmmmm