We don't know when or if this item will be available.
“I think I just don’t like this one. The base seems fairly bitter to me and the weird artificial smell and taste just kind of bothers me. I brewed it for only three minutes this time just in case it...” Read full tasting note
“OK… so after reading mrawlins2 tasting note on this tea this morning, it inspired me to dig out my own pouch of this that I had purchased… oh… I don’t even remember when! I’ve had it a while,...” Read full tasting note
“Many thanks to threewhales for sharing this tea with me. I didn’t expect much from this tea because banana splits aren’t exactly my favorite desserts. However, this tea really nails it. Initially I...” Read full tasting note
“First you taste the banana, then the chocolate with a hint of vanilla in there….and finally you realise that there’s a cherry on top you didn’t notice at first. The black tea comes through and...” Read full tasting note
DELICIOUS! With the first sip you get the sweetness of the bananas, strawberries and pineapple, then the chocolate and vanilla and faint hint of cherry follow as a soothing aftertaste. We thought maybe there were too many flavors in it, that everything would become muted and muddied, or, we thought, it might turn out so that one flavor dominated the rest so that it was pointless to have so many flavors, but honestly, this blend could not have turned out more perfect. It is every bit of the banana split experience in a tea.
At 52teas.com, you will find unique, hand-blended artisan loose leaf teas: a new limited edition creation every week of the year. We pride ourselves on offering truly unique, one-of-a-kind tea blends that you won’t find anywhere else.
OK… so after reading mrawlins2 tasting note on this tea this morning, it inspired me to dig out my own pouch of this that I had purchased… oh… I don’t even remember when! I’ve had it a while, anyways… and it’s about time to give it a try.
This is really an interesting tea! I can taste the bananas, the strawberries, vanilla, pineapple, cherries and the chocolate. (Frank… more chocolate would be good… because, well, more chocolate = more chocolate. See how that works? I like it when math is simple like that)
My note to Frank aside, the chocolate in here is at a pleasant enough level, and quite honestly, if it were stronger it might overpower the other flavors. As it is, they are at a pretty harmonious level because I can taste each flavor in there, even if it is a very subtle taste.
And… apart from that, I can also taste black tea! Some astringency to this one, almost dry/starchy… not heavy on the drying, but it’s there.
Not my favorite from 52 teas but it’s still really good.
I noticed the astringency also but drinking this tea as a latte seems to counteract that a bit.
RE: “(Frank… more chocolate would be good… because, well, more chocolate = more chocolate. See how that works? I like it when math is simple like that)” Actually laughed out out- I LOVE IT!
This tea wouldn’t be for me, but I love that you can still taste the black tea in addition to the schtuff. Even as just a reader of this tea, you make me proud Frank!:)
Many thanks to threewhales for sharing this tea with me.
I didn’t expect much from this tea because banana splits aren’t exactly my favorite desserts. However, this tea really nails it. Initially I can taste the banana followed by sweet pineapple/strawberry combo flavor. The vanilla and chocolate round out the experience in the aftertaste. This is REALLY, REALLY good!
I have this tea and still haven’t tried it… maybe I’ll dig it out and start my day with it…
I was actually thinking of making a Banana Split matcha (even though they aren’t my favorite either)- equal parts Lupicia Vanilla Matcha au Lait, Domo Chocolate Ecstasy matcha, and 52teas strawberry and banana matchas.
First you taste the banana, then the chocolate with a hint of vanilla in there….and finally you realise that there’s a cherry on top you didn’t notice at first. The black tea comes through and keeps it from being overly sweet. An enjoyable cuppa. Not for every day, but a nice treat once in a while.
Preliminary report… DO NOT OVER SWEETEN!
It’s really easy to because the blend by itself has so many sweet fruits in it. I really suggest brewing this plain and then adding sugar crystal by crystal.
THAT’s how sensitive it is
This tea is good, though I feel as if my palette isn’t refined enough to pick out specific details of each of the flavors. For me, it’s more of a slightly bitter black tea that has a fruity sweetness to it, and hints of chocolate in the aftertaste.
The leaves definitely look the part though, with large pieces of dried fruit mixed in, and a wonderfully chocolaty aroma.
The taste did expand a bit as the tea cooled, so I’m interested to see what happens with another few steeps using different water temps and steep times.
Visually this tea is made up of heavily broken black tea leaves. Not quite tea-bag size, but a bit larger. Large chunks of bananas, strawberries, vanilla beans, cherries and cacao nibs are mixed in for a decent visual. Togetehr these brew a dark caramel liquor.
The aroma here is more chocolate and banana than anything else. It actually reminds me of a Nutella banana panini I had at a local coffee shop once (shhh, don’t tell the tea!). I can catch just the faintest hint of either the strawberry or the cherry but I’m not really sure which.
WOW! The astringency here is very high. Not so much a pucker as much as a sting. That’s not always bad though. It depends on how you like your tea. This does bring the flavor down a couple notches for me though as it makes it more difficult for me to discern the more nuanced flavors. I do catch the chocolate through the finish which dries the tongue, and the banana.
This tea was very good from start to finish.
The scent of the leaves was decadent; banana and chocolate. You can see little pieces of dried banana and pineapples throughout the black tea. After brewing (hot with sugar) the aroma of the tea mirrored the leaves; banana and chocolate. The aroma was in no way overpowering, in fact it adds to the tea. The taste starts with banana, then the chocolate then pineapple and cherry. I missed the strawberry, but that could have just blended in with the chocolate.
While this sounds like a lot going into one mouthful, and it is, it is still in no way overpowering. It is sweet and delicious but carried by the black tea note that appears underneath everything else going on.
Honestly, if you do not like banana splits you will not like this, it incorporated just about everything into one cup. And just like with real banana splits, you cannot have this tea everyday, a cup or two here and there and you will be satisfied. Enjoy.
I really like the concept behind 52teas, but I’ve been disappointed with them. All of their teas scream artifical to me.
I hate bananas! Bleh! Enjoyed your review regardless tho! :P
They depend heavily on “flavors” and I have a hard time with that. I also found that I don’t like Adagio’s flavored teas (though their herbals and chais are fine). I did order their Mandarin Matcha (it has orange sections as well as ‘flavors’) and we’ll see how it goes. My husband gave me a funny look, though.
Bethany, I’ve been worried that I’ll feel the same way about 52teas’ blends. I just ordered a few teas from them but I have a feeling they’re not going to be my kind of thing.
@Bethany Some of their teas are really quite good. The Malted Chocomate is superb and the Chocolate Mint is good as well. But I agree that many of them have an uncomfortable artificial flavor.
@denisend I agree with you about Adagios teas. I’m also having trouble with the flavorings in TeaFrog’s teas.
Carolyn – I’m just starting to get into my TeaFrog teas. I think most of what I have are herbals and greens that don’t have flavorings. I don’t put samples in my ‘cupboard’ so I can’t look it up right now.