Cinnamon Roll Honeybush

My first cup of tea today and it’s already dinner time. I’ve just had one of those days where I just haven’t been able to stop and relax with a cup of tea.. until now that is. And I chose this Cinnamon Roll Honeybush as my first well needed drink of the day and in latte form. It’s delicious! Much more cinnamon roll like and much sweeter and creamier. I might have to have more than one latte tonight, I need the comfort since I’m by myself for the next five nights. :(

Read previous notes for a detailed review

Now that the mornings are a bit cooler, I’ve been drinking this a lot at work. It’s delicious! The cinnamon is just right — not overpowering, not too subtle. There’s also a sweetness that really does remind me of icing. I’m not reaaaly tasting the pastry element, but I guess I’m not concentrating all that hard. I’ll write a better note when I get chance to breathe — it’s been a pretty manic week. I’m really enjoying this one, though. It tastes amazing!

Revisiting this one and lowering the rating..

It’s been tart and plastic-like lately… I’ve tried a lower temperature, but I really think it’s the honeybush. Just not jiving with me lately.

Well, this steep IS fresher than the previous sample I’ve tried, and it’s having the same problems anyway. This cup is from the Bestsellers Sampler. I’m trying to taste some others again from 52 because they have reblended some of my favorites! I must order them! Especially since I mentioned I would definitely buy the Lemon Meringue Chai if they reblended it, even though Dustin generously just sent me a pouch that I received the DAY before the reblend was announced! I can deal with more of it though. :D

Steep #1 // a few minutes after boiling // 2 min
I just love the honeybush blends! Maybe I’m not remembering, but this one does seem a bit different. Mostly honeybush flavor, that would add to the sweet/butter aspect of a cinnamon roll, but sadly, even the cinnamon doesn’t seem like it is here anymore. I was expecting oodles of sweet cinnamon.. the sugary cinnamon type… but really there is only a hint of spiciness. Really isn’t a frosting type flavor either, though even that could be hinted at with the honeybush itself. Again, there is probably a science to brewing these 52Teas blends. I figured the two minutes wouldn’t make the honeybush overshadow the other flavors though. The second steep went for longer/hotter but seemed to have even less flavor.

This is a good cinnamon roll tea for the most part and its caffeine-free which is a plus but I find myself wanting just a bit more of warming cinnamon flavor. I think the fact that the tea cooled from steeping for so long might have something to do with that but oh well.

Lowered the brewing time to 5 min. That was the Loooongest 5 min! The smell emitting from my cup made me look over my shoulder to see if anyone thought I was baking:)
added 1 tsp milk and 1 tsp raw sugar…OMG, I am in love with this tea. Come on Frank, move this one over to the permanent collection:)

This sample came from a swap with teapot1. Sipdown!!

Dry: I was surprised at how much this smells like a cinnamon bun! I’m only picking up a little of the honeybush scent (totally fine with me, as I’m not a huge fan). The cinnamon is the most prominant, followed by the sweet icing smell! Yum! I’m so excited for this one!

Brewed: Seriously. I am getting liquid cinnamon bun. This smells so good! The cinnamon and icing smells are so right on target here. A little of the honeybush scent is present, but thankfully it isn’t overpowering or strong. It fades into the background, and I actually think the sweet smell of it works nicely with the cinnamon.

Taste: Not 100% as good as the smell, but it’s pretty close. The cinnamon is definately front and center, with the icing being more subtle than in the smell. I’m also getting a slight smokey flavor (?) that I’m a little confused about, but it isn’t awful: just unexpected. The honeybush is present in the beginning of the sip, but as I said, it kinda works well with the cinnamon and the sweet icing so I don’t mind it much.

Overall, this is probably one of the better honeybush blends I’ve had. I love the smell, and wish the brew tasted just like it, but the taste isn’t too far off. I love the cinnamon and icing notes, and am impressed at how close to a cinnamon roll they are. Yum! The smokey flavor – puzzling, but it fits in alright with the rest of the flavors. It just isn’t what I’d expect in a cinnamon roll tea. UNLESS the cinnamon rolls were baked over a campfire flame. Spot on cinnamon roll? No. Tastey cinnamon roll-esque brew? Yes.

Thank you, teapot1 for sending this to me. I enjoyed it, and was very happy to have gotten the chance to try it.

UPDATE: The smokey taste lessens a bit as it cools off.

First – thanks Azzrian for this one!
2nd…I FINALLY had to switch cups/mugs! I just might have to start buying some neat ones I find. I need more for work :)

I believe the one I am using now – I have used before but it’s been a while – is from Tea Forte.

Anyhow…on to this tisane!

Dry – it smells like pure cinnamon.
Wet – I can see how it would resemble a Cinnamon Roll (or a Cinnamon TROLL – as I almost typed)

Yum! This is Niiice! Yup! That’s NICE with 3 i’s – so you know I mean business!

Sweet honeybush and delightful cinnamon…ratio to ratio…this is the perfect pair!

I’m loving this!

Wow! I am so glad I snagged a pouch of this at the last reblending. This is soooo good. The cinnamon is just the right level for a cinnamon roll, and I get the bready taste as well as the icing. A wonderful replacement for the sweets I should not be eating.

Please, Sir. I want some more!

24 oz teapot, 4 actual tsp blend, freshly boiled water, lightly sweetened.

This one came from the bestsellers sampler of the Zoomedweebies kickstarter. This one has been on my shopping list for quite a while so I am glad I have had a chance to try it.

The dry tea smells like cinnamon cake, or cinnamon pastry, or a cinnamon bun. Its cinnamon with some kind of sweet bread mixed in.

The brewed tea smells exactly like a cinnamon bun, I am getting a strong cream cheese smell.

The tea tastes like the cinnamon bun/pastry/bread but I am not getting any cream cheese or any other icing. It is still very good. I think next cup I am going to add some sugar to see what happens. The taste is definitely becoming more distinct as it cools.

Edit: Brewed again and this time added some brown rock sugar. It was ok. I don’t think it really changed the taste profile at all. This one is reminding me a bit more of a Christmas spice cake/cookie with the cinnamon and spice.