Rooibos de Provence

My study cup for my weekly midterm sigh, almost at a sipdown for this one, probably enough for one more cup. Still tasty and most importantly caffeine free, although I will probably be crazy anxious for this test anyways. See previous notes on this tea.

Okay, I’m 90% sure this came from Invader Zim So thank you! (And if I’m wrong, then thank you to whoever swapped me this!)

It smells really interesting – like the inside of The Body Shop or somewhere like that. Not complaining – it smells great. It’s a bit hard to put my finger on specific scents though.

The rooibos is a strong flavor in this one, and the dried currants, rose and lavender accentuate it. It’s definitely a rooibos tea tisane first and foremost, but the other flavors behind it make it interesting.

It’s interesting. That’s a good descriptor for this tea. Tastes like there’s some chocolate in there as well, though I’m not sure where I’m getting that from.

EDIT: I tweeted this tea, and now @DAVIDsTEA is teasing me about lavender fields in France. This company is great.

I’m increasing the rating for this a little, because it’s really growing on me the more I drink it. It never called to me so it took me a while to try it, and then it took me a while to warm up to it but I think this is potentially my favourite red rooibos at present.

Lately I’ve felt like I’ve had my fill of that very particular red rooibos taste, but I think the flavours in this one work marvelously well with it. The rich berry flavour and the slight floral quality are nicely balanced and tame the rooibos a little. It’s very relaxing, and I tend to drink it a lot when taking luxurious Lush baths. Lush and DT are a winning combination.

Thank you Invader Zim for this generous Sample!
Tonight I decided to do a LONG brew of this Rooibos. I read the reviews first, the discriptions of the rose, lavender and strong red rooibos but I remained unafraid (pretty much). The steep time went 8 minutes…ok…reasonable and not too daring.
The liquor was fairly dark like red wheat beer. The scent is fantasticly sweet like walking into one of those le frou frou boutiques for lingerie that smell like dusting powder, lavender and roses. Of course there was no hint of old perfume flavor or acid…no, no…that would not do.
A bit of sweetening and “Voila” I want to speak French. NO!, I WANT TO BE FRENCH! (Well, maybe I can visit my Nephew in Paris one day at least!). The lavender warms this tea and is a perfect addition with the rose. The average person cry…“Beware!” but don’t fear. This is very good.
I can’t imagine brewing this tea in a weak and insipid manor…yuck! Don’t do it please! It should be a Gerard Depardieu strength brew not a Pepe le Pew oooooow.

Perfect to have with plain cookies or lemon cookies or shortbread.

I don’t mind this one, but now I feel like it’s too rooibosy for me. There are nice berry and lavender flavours (and what’s coming off to me as a hint of juniper?) but this isn’t something I’d pick up again.

This tea totally confuses me. I had gone into David’s for a bit of xmas shopping a couple weeks ago and asked the person helping me to recommend something non-caffeinated. He offered me this. I sniffed it and thought it smelled totally minty. I was informed that there’s no mint in this. No way! It’s so menthol-y! whyy? It also smells very blueberry and lavender. So I got half an ounce (actually .6 ounce since that’s the lowest the scale would go) to try at home and solve the mystery.

I’m sniffing this tea again pre-brew. Still seems very menthol-y. Does lavender have menthol in it? Anyway, the blueberry is nice and jammy. I’m not really liking the lavender. It reminds me of the super old dusty tasting herbs my husband refuses to let me throw away. Well I’m not using them, and he doesn’t cook so they’ll just dustier. I’ll toss it all one day… Anyway, I love the smell of lavender, but I’m just not a fan of eating it. Alas. I wonder if husband would like this?

Why do I like this one so much? It has great complexity! Was trying to decide on an afternoon tea and once I smelled the dry leaves, my mouth started watering! Funny, cuz I’m not really into tart teas, but this one is really rounded out. Fully enjoyed my cup of this while finishing up work.

In other news, I just ordered more new tea!!! My third order in 4 days ;)

Not sure why i haven’t logged this yet. I maintain a stock of this at all times.
I greatly enjoy this tea, which apparently everyone I know knows I feel this way. lol.
I currently have two 100g tins and a 50g bag courtesy of my recent b-day.
If anyone has interest in the tea, let me know and I will send you some.

My first work tea of the day. Has a nice berry sweetness, with the floral taste coming in at the end of the sip. The rooibos is there the whole way through, but rooibos always is. And I don’t mind!

Backlogged from last-night.

I’ve had this for a couple months now and I kept putting off on trying it because the red rooibos smell was very strong and I prefer a little more flavor added to my rooibos. So, last night upon sniffing my non-caffeinated “teas” I came across this. It didn’t smell quite as strong as usual. So I figured why not finally try it.

The red rooibos is very strong in scent and taste in this one. The berries (actual dried berries in there) didn’t cover up the rooibos, but helped accentuate it. It complimented the rooibos and the lavender very well. The lavender isn’t strong at all, it’s just a hint, the rooibos and the berries take center stage with this one.

This isn’t a rooibos I crave, but it’s good for once in a while.