This is one of the four Target-exclusive Forager Edition herbals from Tazo, the one based on the Northeast US. So far, I have really enjoyed the Midwest “Wild Apple Sarsaparilla” and the Rockies “Juniper Mint Honey.” I figured this one would easily also be a hit for me, since I’m one of the few people I know that loves tart, tangy, hibiscus-heavy fruity teas, which is what I was expecting to get from a tea called “Elderberry Blackberry.” Sadly, it wasn’t.
I do taste a strong dark berry flavor, but it just doesn’t have that juicy/tart element I want and expect from berries like elderberry or blackberry. Instead I get this rather awful pervasive background note that tastes flowery, soapy, and baby powder-y… pretty much how chamomile tastes to me. And then I looked at the pouch and see chamomile is an ingredient. It doesn’t have that particular hay/herbaceous/apple/honey chamomile flavor, but the things about that particular flower that always taste “off” to my tongue are present. I guess it is sweetening up the berry notes, but the result is that “chalky/powdery” fruit flavor that Cameron often describes.
Honestly, I need way more hibiscus and way less chamomile for this blend to work for me. I imagine for everyone else out there, though, the choice to make this more chamomile and less hibiscus is welcome. I wish I had some of my plain hibi stash to add to my cup, but sadly I’m out…
Drunk as a plain hot cup, I just find this rather yuck. But I’m going to continue to try to brew it in other ways and see if I can’t find a way to make this work for me, at least to use up the box. I definitely would not get more of this, while I’d happily restock “Wild Apple Sarsaparilla” or “Juniper Mint Honey.”
Flavors: Berries, Chalk, Floral, Soap, Sweet
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If you want, I will gladly share some pure hibiscus I got. It’s too much for me and honestly I never remember putting it in other tea.
That is sweet, but since I’m unable to ship internationally, I typically discourage all the trouble (and high costs) from others to ship internationally to me, too.
Wow, what a letdown. The name of this tea sounds like something tart and amazing.
The lack of edginess may mean it’s something I like ;)
Mastress Alita: As you wish, I would nothing in return :)
If you want, I will gladly share some pure hibiscus I got. It’s too much for me and honestly I never remember putting it in other tea.
That is sweet, but since I’m unable to ship internationally, I typically discourage all the trouble (and high costs) from others to ship internationally to me, too.
Wow, what a letdown. The name of this tea sounds like something tart and amazing.
The lack of edginess may mean it’s something I like ;)
Mastress Alita: As you wish, I would nothing in return :)