This tea took me by quite a surprise. I find Republic of Teas rooibos varieties to be hit or miss (I’m looking at you Red Velvet Chocolate), and at first taste I thought this was a miss as I tasted mostly rooibos. I gave it a second chance and realized I hadn’t steeped it in hot enough water initially (almost boiling is best to bring out the vanilla). I now find this tea to be oddly addictive, and even think I prefer it to one of my fave vanilla flavored teas-ROT Vanilla Almond. It tastes as if you are sipping on vanilla pods with a slight earthiness from the rooibos, and I find it leaves me feeling all cozy and calm. What’s better than that? It leaves a very pleasant aftertaste on the tongue that is almost creamy in it’s sweetness. This tea is excellent both plain and as a tea latte, but either way I find it best steeped for 10+ minutes if you enjoy a strong vanilla flavor.
