Elderberry Herbal

Hung out with a friend last night who has been fighting a cold for som time now, and now I’m feeling a bit off myself. Time to crack out the elderberry! Steeped this just over 18 minutes, and it’s still delicious, although I am getting more licorice than previous incarnations.

so i might have accidentally steeped this for like 10 mins…and then drank it like there was no tomorrow. Apparently this is a blend that suits me nicely even without any additions. I do want to use the last of this to try steeping in apple juice or something, so maybe tomorrow i can pick some up!

Hmmm, I’m not sure about this one. I like the idea of an elderberry-based herbal, but the dry leaf smells odd. It’s hard to put my finger on, I think its the fennel. Fennel in tea?

It brews up this crazy purpley-black color. I’ve never seen a tea brew up so black. Steeped, it smells sweet, tart, fruity, and spicy. It was kind of familiar, and I figured out it was mulled wine. There’s also something to the aroma that is a location-based olfactory cue… it reminds me of Montana, and I don’t know why. Weeeeird. I can also smell the similarities between this and Campfire Blend, a somewhat toasty, pastry-ish aroma that must be the coriander, carob, and cinnamon, which these blends have in common.

I used the recommended steeping parameters but was surprised at a one minute steep time. The flavor is a little weak. I expected more berry, I think. I will say that brewed it smells and tastes way better than it smells dry. Thankfully, since I have a few more sessions with this tea. It’s still an odd blend to be sure, but it’s reinforcing how cool this blends club is… I get to try experimental, odd blends that most other companies wouldn’t dream of, and get introduced to all kinds of odd ingredients. Educational and fun!

Last tea of the night, short note as I reviewed it yesterday, but OMG it brews up a dark deep purple!!!! I love it!! Yesterday I didn’t make it in a clear mug lol. So pretty! Anyways, see previous notes for a better review here :)

Just drank my last of this (sigh)
Extremely sad…. Please Verdant,
Tell me when this is available again…
I would purchase at least every other month.
Love the light licorice taste, elderberry spices and the fennel
Yes! I love to chew on the fennel.
This is my favorite tea and along with Steepster & Friends
(And of course, God,)
Got me through my mother’s passing.
I don’t need to be sick to enjoy this herbal.
Just love it :-D

Not sure what I think about this one… the flavours were much milder than I had anticipated (which is good!), and nothing was unpleasant, but I can’t really taste the elderberry… or anything else specifically, for that matter. It’s just kind of a spicyish water. Maybe it’s partially related to the fact that I’m kind of sick, although I do seem to be able to taste reasonably well at the moment.

I think I’ll try steeping it for longer next time to see what happens. It did only get about a minute this time, as per the recommendations.

I often take my time before reviewing tea’s. This one was fun!

I made a pot of tea yesterday, using a little extra leaf and 2 minute steep. I love the idea of mulling spice…and knew that without tea in the mix, there would be no bitterness steeping a little longer.

First I tasted my brew straight and was excited at the strength of the elderberry, coriander and other spices. (Would have hated a tulsi dominant blend)
I drank a cup…ok…done.

Now the next test.

I added honey!

Light as a feather, dancing around like a sugarplum fairy…grandma Bonnie became a thing of cartoon’s…ah…honey in a mulling blend is delightfull in the Fall! This was meant to be!

I finished the first pot with another mug and honey, smiling.

One more test to go, I began again.

Heating 8oz of organic apple juice (the kind with stuff in the bottom) and 8oz filtered water, I steeped fresh Elderberry Herbal Blend in the half juice-half water mixture for 2 minutes.
AND IT WAS GREAT! (I did add some honey again, just a little!)

Why half-half? The Apple Juice was very sweet naturally, too sweet!
Anyway…

The options are lovely…and this would be a great duo with the current Winter Ginger Blend!!! (I hope Verdant is listening!)

PS Tonight, I resteeped with a bit of malty cocoa black tea and it was D-licious! Versatility herbalism!

It looks pretty as it steeps, it turns into a neat murky red berry colour. Like natural dye. :)

Tasting it, I get tulsi and fennel. That’s pretty much it.

I don’t care for this one so much, so do any of my current swap peeps want to try?

This is delicious and I’m hoping it helps my immunity since we’re flying up to visit my parents this week! Curious to try it with cider or wine as suggested.

Hmm, this isn’t as bad as I was afraid it would be. I’ve got a strong aversion to fennel or anything with an anise like flavor! Licorice bleaarrghhh!

;)