Flowering Honeybush

Honeybush is one of those strange non-tea teas about which I’m somewhat ambivalent (along with rooibos). This blend, Tazo Flowering Honeybush, jazzes the honeybush up with chunks of dried fruit: apple, papaya, and peach, plus blackberry leaves and some flavoring. The overall effect is, predictably, a somewhat fruity honeybush.

I have a feeling that this might be very good with sugar, which could augment and enhance the fruitiness. However, that’s a line which I prefer not to cross, since I prefer to drink my tisanes unsweetened. I also hate artificial sweeteners. Instead, I’ll just drink the rest of this packet au naturel and probably not purchase it again.

Honeybush blends often seem pretty interchangeable to me, so I’d rather try some others than stick with this one. It’s perfectly fine, but not very exciting or memorable—not something I positively look forward to drinking. I acquired 4 ounces of this loose-leaf herbal blend during the November half-price sale at Starbucks. It was a good opportunity to test out a bunch of their more obscure loose leaf offerings. All are from Tazo, but not readily available anywhere else, as far as I can tell.

The burnt-orange color of this brewed infusion is beautiful!

Satisfying but it doesn’t quite give me that ‘I want more of this’ sensation. It’s smooth and has a strange slightly zingy aftertaste. It is indeed also fruity. Though if you were to ask me what fruit, well I couldn’t quite tell ya. Perhaps I should have steeped it longer because I really feel that it’s too light. Still has plenty of flavor but could use more.