Another from the new Harvest Collection!
I was thrilled to see a Mate in this collection; it feels like lately that section of the tea wall has really been pruned down, and the flavour diversity/options are quite limited. This is definitely unique, and I think it’s a really nice addition to the wall – even if it is only limited edition. I was a little worried it would be a little bit too beet heavy, but I try to be open minded – and I was intrigued to see what would come of this one.
I tried it iced for my first tasting, and I’ve actually had it a few times since then also as an iced tea. It was a little hard to put my finger on the first time I had it, but I think I’ve got a better grip on what to expect from it now.
For starters, I think the flavour of the beet is actually very, very light. Truly, I wish it had a more robust presence because that would be so refreshingly different, and I think would very much fall in line with the theme of this collection. Since the flavour IS pretty light though I’m guessing largely what it’s doing in this blend is contributing to the very pretty pink/red hue that it steeps up. It really is a GORGEOUS tea, both steeped and as dry leaf.
The flavour that IS present is great though: once I kind of let go of the idea of it being a beet-heavy tea it was easier to appreciate. It’s quite fruity, with a good natural sweetness and some tart undertones. I’d describe it as very much a balance of apple and berry. The berry could probably be further broken down though to a mixture of blackberry and raspberry, with goji undertones. I didn’t actually think I’d taste the goji because that’s a flavour I often have issues pinpointing but I think for the amount of goji in the blend it does come through well enough. Not a main flavour – but there.
I think this is likely my second favourite of the new collection, after Pear Blossom. I did buy a little of this one for at home – but not as much as I did for Pear Blossom. I think it’s probably going to be something I end up enjoying more in store, rather than at home. I’m curious to see how it’ll work as a hot tea, though!
Friendly reminder that I do not numerically rate DAVIDsTEA blends as I’m currently employed there and it would be an obvious conflict of interest. Any blends you see with numerical ratings were rated prior to my employment there. These reviews are a reflection of my personal thoughts regarding the teas, and not the company’s.
oooh a mate. Yeah now I have to try it. I wish they had more mates.