Second of the new teas.
Ok; first things first I am here for this name! I mean, it’s so clever. Obviously a play of “Arabian Nights” – but Valerian root is basically like ’nature’s sedative’ and is super popular in sleepy time/evening blends, so not only is it a fun pun but it’s one that just works on multiple levels. Much better than the name of the tea that launched at the same time as this one, Forever Flawless which not only isn’t fun but also doesn’t tell you anything about the tea…
I was of mixed feeling when I found out about the launch of this tea: I liked that we were going for a sweeter/more flavourful nighttime blend than some of the played out herbaceous chamomile/mint nighttime blends but also we’re still using chamomile in this one, and I just feel like it’s unnecessary for the flavour profile that is meant to be achieved (caramel/coconut) since this already have Valerian Root in it, which is the thing that makes it a nighttime blend, and the focus selling feature. It also bugs me that this tea has rooibos in it, but was classed as a herbal tea. Who was responsible for that call? It’s VERY weird to me. Even if there’s hardly any rooibos in the blend at all, I think as soon as you add some and you don’t have any other base teas this becomes a rooibos blend and not a herbal blend…
This is really tasty though – that combination of creamy, sweet caramel and coconut has TOTALLY been achieved: I think both of those flavour really clearly come through and are very well balanced. It’s sweet, but not cloying and will definitely work for those seeking a nighttime blend that still has flavour to it. Some hints of apple in the undertone, for a really light fruity touch. Mostly dessert flavour though. Plus, no mint and even though there is chamomile in the blend it’s not a strong flavour so if you’re sick of the played out lemon/mint/chamomile evening blends this isn’t going to fall into that trap. I will say, the woodyness of the rooibos did come through for me – so if you don’t like rooibos don’t assume that just because this is classed as a herbal tea that you’re not going to get some of those rooibos flavour aspects. That’s just more justification for why I think it should be classed as a rooibos over herbal…
Of the three Valerian Root teas carried by DT, Big Chill is still my favourite but this is definitely one I prefer over Mother’s Little Helper – and I look forward to trying it as a latte too because it was naturally really creamy, and I think the creamy caramel and coconut would translate VERY WELL as a latte!
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.
