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Scheherazade drank Root Beer Float Black Tea by 52teas

2238 tasting notes

It looks like winter has returned, which is disconcerting because last week it was hot and sunny and my mind had turned to cold brews. Not so this week – it’s actually snowing. Not heavily, but small showers on and off. Needless to say, I’ve gone back to my warming winter teas.

I had a cup of this one yesterday that I really enjoyed. I used 1 tsp of leaf in boiling water for about 2 minutes, no more. No additions. I pretty much always get root beer from this one, in a slightly woody, medicinal way, but yesterday I actually got root beer float – a delicious thick, creamy, sweet vanilla flavour (totally reminiscent of melted vanilla ice cream). That made my day, because my previous trials with this reblend pouch haven’t lived up to my memory of the 12 Teas of Christmas version I originally tried. That was spot on delicious.

Anyway, today I decided to try the other end of the spectrum. I used 1.5 tsp of leaf, and gave it more like 4 minutes in boiling water. I added a few pieces of crystal sugar and a splash of milk. It’s so good. The initial flavour is vanilla (ice cream!), quite sweet but that’s okay. Underneath is the root beer – herbal, a little chicory-like, a touch woody. Interestingly, it seems to be the reverse of yesterday’s “lighter” version, which had the root beer first and the vanilla second to my tastes. Both were excellent.

It’s good to know that I can make this up two ways and get a great taste from either. I felt like I was foundering with this one a little, but I finally discovered what works. Now I just have to replicate it for future cups! It’s fussier than I remember the 12 Teas of Christmas version being, but I don’t mind so much when it can taste this good.

Maybe when summer finally returns, I’ll try this cold brewed. Sadly, I can only dream of that today!

Preparation

Boiling 4 min, 0 sec 1 tsp

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Hi :) I’m Sarah, and I live in Norfolk in the UK. My tea obsession began when a friend introduced me to Teapigs a good few years ago now. Since then, I’ve been insatiable. Steepster introduced me to a world of tea I never knew existed, and my goal is now to TRY ALL THE TEAS. Or most of them, anyway.

I still have a deep rooted (and probably life-long) preference for black tea. My all-time favourite is Assam, but Ceylon and Darjeeling also occupy a place in my heart. Flavoured black tea can be a beautiful thing, and I like a good chai latte in the winter.

I also drink a lot of rooibos/honeybush tea, particularly on an evening. Sometimes they’re the best dessert replacements, too. White teas are a staple in summer — their lightness and delicate nature is something I can always appreciate on a hot day.

I’m still warming up to green teas and oolongs. I don’t think they’ll ever be my favourites, with a few rare exceptions, but I don’t hate them anymore. My experience of these teas is still very much a work-in-progress. I’m also beginning to explore pu’erh, both ripened and raw. That’s my latest challenge!

I’m still searching for the perfect fruit tea. One without hibiscus. That actually tastes of fruit.

You’ve probably had enough of me now, so I’m going to shut up. Needless to say, though, I really love tea. Long may the journey continue!

My rating system:

91-100: The Holy Grail. Flawless teas I will never forget.

81-90: Outstanding. Pretty much perfection, and happiness in a cup.

71-80: Amazing. A tea to savour, and one I’ll keep coming back to.

61-70: Very good. The majority of things are as they should be. A pleasing cup.

51-60: Good. Not outstanding, but has merit.

41-50: Average. It’s not horrible, but I’ve definitely had better. There’s probably still something about it I’m not keen on.

31-40: Almost enjoyable, but something about it is not for me.

11-30: Pretty bad. It probably makes me screw my face up when I take a sip, but it’s not completely undrinkable.

0-10: Ugh. No. Never again. To me, undrinkable.