Herbal Infusions
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There’s something in here my body hates.. or at least finds it so appealing that it has to say, “Scratchy throat!” at a higher-than-normal decibel. With zero ingredients listed, it’s likely strawberry, although who knows really. Definitely some green and black tea in here (although it’s listed on the bag as a green), along with some saffron. Beyond that? I shrug my shoulders.
It smells like marzipan and tastes more like a lightly flowered dry fruity nut.
Flavors: Flowers, Nuts
Preparation
SPOILER alert: If you want to keep the teas in the Herbal Infusions 2013 12 Days of Christmas Sampler to yourself, skip over this review.
I’m a day early in this review, likely because I’m the kind of gal that (until six years ago) celebrated Christmas on the 24th in the evening. Also, I was impatient, and wanted to enjoy something Christmas-y with my daughter as we celebrated my son’s 6-year-old birthday. Unfortunately, he’s come down with something as of late last night, and is curled up half naked in a chair in the living room, alternating between watching Magic School Bus on Netflix, and sleep. :(
As Herbal Infusions has given zero steep instructions or even an ingredient list, I went with my eyes and nose for how to brew it. It looks like it’s a green and black blend, with pieces of orange rind, roses, cornflower, and something else tiny and red in the mix. It smells strongly of a red berry, and I was concerned immediately due to my strawberry allergy. My daughter even warned me as she took her first sip, “Mom, this smells a LOT like strawberries…”
I tried it anyway. I’m thinking the berry in this is raspberry, because I had zero reaction until the very last sip of the cup, and that could be from something else I just ate. It tastes very raspberry green to me, light and lovely, with just a hint of orange in there. The almond passed by me completely, although it is still creamy. It’s nice and well blended, although I doubt I’ll go out of my way to reach for it.
Also, I’ve put in a note to Dan over at Herbal Infusions for an ingredient list, however it’s been a few weeks now with zero answer. If anyone received this, or knows more than I, please do send me a note (or comment here so that I can friend you). Merci!
Preparation
OBNOXIOUS CAPS RESPONSE: VENDORS… FOR ALL OF US THAT HAVE ALLERGIES IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT CUSTOMER SERVICE ISSUE THAT YOU NOT ONLY BE COMPLETELY TRANSPERENT IN YOUR INGREDIENTS LISTING, BUT ALSO THAT YOU REPLY IF YOU HAVE A CUSTOMER INQUIRE.
@ HERBAL INFUSIONS MissB is a friend of mine. we both have allergies and mine will affect a disease. if you will not reply to her inquiry then i will not buy from you at any point. the risk is too great, no matter your amazing tea bending skill set.
I had a similar issue with my first order; it took three weeks for it even to ship. After it shipped, I heard from Dan often and quickly – and again nothing now, after suggesting steeping times and requesting ingredient lists. I’m thinking they’re just really busy… or at least hoping that’s all it is.
I should note that the other teas (normal things you can order anytime) have ingredient lists. These were specially blended just for this one-time, Black Friday, 12 Teas of Christmas special. They sold out quickly.
i appreciate you speaking up MissB and if you want me to trash my comment i will, but it the absolute truth. if i do not have faith in your ingredients list, then i will not buy from you. that’s it, that’s all. tea is NOT WORTH THE FURTHER EROSION OF MY NERVOUS SYSTEM. i harbour no grudges if you pull my comment. i wrote it in application to myself only.
Oh gosh no. You’re saying it as I would have, had I actually drank something I was horribly allergic to. :)
wanted to make sure =0)
I think OMGSrsly asked them on facebook for more detail and they replied regarding specific ingredients. It might be easier if you just ask if any of the teas have “X” ingredient as that would be quicker for them to reply to rather than write up the entire list.
Not trying to downplay your guy’s concerns – you obviously don’t want to risk a reaction, and if vendors aren’t upfront about what’s in there, it could be dire.
Also, if these blends are supposed to be secret then I might be in trouble because I started to post mine.
You know, I never realized that the 12 days of Christmas were AFTER Christmas. :P I guess I wasn’t a good Christian growing up.
lol…. i always ate chocolate for lent.
i don’t do facebook (ahem as you well know cavo, lol). IMO if it needs a label to be sold in a country like, say…. canada…. then you do not get to crap out and say ‘hey, message me on facebook, i’ll get back to you faster.’ sometimes rules are ridiculous, and others they are sensible. In My Opinion food labeling is essential. i am allergic to turkey: as in an epipen will not work.
if as a vendor someone has any expectation that i should write them on facebook then they should factor in the depreciation of their stock when i do not buy from their company.
Lmao. Are the 12 days of Christmas Christian? I just always thought they were fun.
I have emailed them, and they did reply (eventually). I shared my specific allergies, and again, it’s been a few weeks with zero response. I guess I’ll try Facebook then. Good to know.
MissB – I just looked it up because I was curious: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Days_of_Christmas
And JustJames – I don’t think they requested an email on FB. They didn’t say anything at all – that was just my suggestion as a way to get an answer back quicker. I am impressed with Herbal Infusions blends, but as a company I believe they bit off more than they could handle with these 12 Days of Christmas sets. I think they just pulled them together really quickly and weren’t prepared for the demand etc. It took over 2 weeks for them to ship mine out and with no communication either.
I know Dan is involved in a few projects at the moment too, so while I"m not super happy about the way these blends were handled (and advertised as re: the list of ingredients), I’m willing to forgive them so long as they learn from their mistakes!
Do you think I should hold off on posting the rest of my reviews for these teas? I didn’t think they were a surprise because the list was on the site, but I wouldn’t want to spoil anything.
oh no, cavo, i didn’t take it as an a request on their part…. but if a consumer can get a faster response via facebook that sets a precedent.
i tend to be a forgiving sort…. stupidly so. to the point where i just don’t pick up the phone for telemarketers because i can always see the reasoning. i am always inclined to forgive. however, in some instances, and this is one, it is not in my best interests to do so.
socially: we all make mistakes, live and learn, no harm done, it’s all good!
commercially: ‘no, herbal infusions i will never buy from you, i don’t care if it’s hearsay, i have too much on the line for my beloved cup of relaxation to take another piece out of me. just ask david’s teas, i don’t buy from them either, and for back up ask teavana at mayfair…. they see me coming they haul out binders and phones.’
cavo…. you HAVE to review….. i want to read them! =0)
Ok – just wanted to make sure I wasn’t misrepresenting anything! :D
And i"ll keep reviewing, just because you’re requesting it. :P Haha.
;0)
cavo, you are always very clear in your communication. at least i think so!
If they’re a secret, it’s news to me. All I know is, some folks like to keep these sorts of things a surprise, so I just put the spoiler in there just in case.
I think the company is new and overwhelmed, although… my first order was way before Black Friday, and I received both orders within a week of one another. I have a lot of theories on this one, I just wish it were different, because I am enjoying their teas.
I asked about specific things – mint, gluten, licorice – and received into as to which teas included those ingredients, not an ingredient list. I only got 3 teas based on their feedback.
i have my own due diligence rules and expectations…. that does not meet them in the least. and as a consumer it is NOT my job to chase you for ingredience lists. it is your (their) job to chase me with pristine clarity saying ‘look james, our track record speaks for itself, ask us anything…. don’t you want to give us money?’ lol.
I definitely would have preferred an ingredient list. I’ll email to chase one down as well. And point out (again) that this information is extremely important.
if you were feeling politely snappish you could simply send them a link to this review and conversation…. but it’s just a thought =0) (insert innocent batting of eyes) LMAO.
:) I did email. If no response, I’ll think about it!
This tea was really calling to me and when I opened it and smelled the familiar strawberry scent I love so much, I was excited to have a cup. Unfortunately, after steeping for 20 minutes, this got dumped. The strawberry flavor was hidden underneath the cacao and cacao is really not for me. I am officially giving up on it and letting go to the hope that one day I will enjoy it again.
Preparation
I was not sure how to steep this so I followed the instructions of Pistachio Cream, the other tea I was making. That meant 1.5 tsps in boiling water for 5 minutes. The end result was the chocolatey taste of cacao tea with a hint of strawberry at the end of the sip. Unfortunately, for some reason, as I brewed this, I realized I did not want it. Have you ever had those times where you are just not in the mood for tea? (gasp). So this ended up getting poured out, not as a reflection of the tea but rather my mood this evening. I will wait to add numbers when this tea actually has the chance to be enjoyed.
Preparation
Every time I steep up one of their black teas, I like the base less and less.
Sniffing the leaves, I got hit with an overwhelming scent of booze. Ok, alcohol based flavourings, I can get behind that. Steeping it, it smells (well, as far as I can smell), delicious. Cinnamon and baked apples.
Tasting it, the base tea overwhelms. It’s bitter and astringent, and seriously. That is not cool. I’ll have to try to remember to steep the rest of their blacks at 185F.
Preparation
I know they are two completely different beasts, but I prefer Butiki’s Potato Pancakes and Applesauce as an apple cinnamon tea.
The Hot Apple Ginger Toddy tea from Herbal Infusions is divine, but something about the base mixing with the flavours of apple and cinnamon in this one just doesn’t sit right with me.
Definitely needs cream. Or something. It gets so bitter.
Preparation
This tea smells amazing, and when hot, tastes amazing as well. I get apple crisp or crumble out of it. Sweet baked apple and delicious cinnamon.
My cup has been sitting out for a while now, and as it’s cooled it’s become extremely bitter. Still smells amazing, though.
I’ll have to try it with milk/sugar at some point, because initially I really liked the tea.
Preparation
I don’t know how to steep this, so I guessed 1 tsp per cup and boiling water for 7 minutes.
The strawberry flavour is there, but it’s missing some chocolate. I’ll have to play around and look to see if other people have suggested steeping instructions.
Preparation
if this is a tisane (no tea leaves) I’d recommend steeping it longer. The cacao shells won’t become bitter. I have gone as long as 15 minutes with cacao shells, and I only stopped because I didn’t want to wait any longer for chocolate!
Haha. Yeah, I got impatient. :)
Aaand I gave the package to my BFF since she was here and she liked it too. Not like I don’t have enough other teas to drink…
Sipdown…of sorts. I have enough left for one cup but that is going to my roommate so she can try it out.
This won’t be a reorder for me just because I am not a coffee drinker so I probably won’t reach for it all that often. I have enjoyed this sample though and would recommend it for anyone who even slightly likes coffee. It is flavorful as in addition to the coffee it has notes of nuts and chocolate and a hint vanilla caramel sweetness. Yum :)
Preparation
This time there was less coffee beans in the infuser since the coffee flavor is significantly toned down which, as a person who doesn’t drink coffee, I like. The other flavors are able to shine and so I am getting a bit more of a sweet chocolate hazelnut coffee tea. I think as far as coffee teas go that I prefer the JavaVana mate from Teavana but I don’t think it will be hard to get through this sample either.
Preparation
I am not a huge fan of coffee but for some reason I am always drawn to coffee flavored teas. This is definitely a tasty cup. First sip, I just got coffee but as I continued to drink some of the other flavors start to come through and change the taste – the best way I could describe this is a sweet and nutty coffee. Great for anyone who likes coffee and not bad for non-coffee drinkers also. However, due to my personal feelings toward coffee, I do not think this will be a restock. Though I doubt the sample will be very hard to get through.
Preparation
alright moosetracks…bring it. yeah that’s right. I figured i’d see what all the fuss was about since cavo was kinda enough to bring the rest of her little bit over to my place today. Plus…totally a sipdown hahaha AND i wanted to decide whether to order this or not since i’m likely looking at a herbal infusions order soon. :)
First off? this smells great. I likely wouldn’t have bought this because of the coconut but there’s really none to be found. If anything its just there, adding a bit of creaminess to things.
secondly..make no mistake about it, this is a coffee tea. If you despise coffee, probably not the tea for you.
Finally, while i don’t agree that this is florence like, it IS mocha/hazelnut delicious and i do quite like it! I’m also curious as to how this would taste with a bit of cream in it..or iced as dexter suggested.
mmm ok this + baileys irish cream coffee creamer is pretty good hahaha
Was reading Cavocorax note and all the comments about this one. Based on her comments I had to try it. Went rummaging through my huge pile of BF teas that I haven’t put away yet, and pulled it out.
Hazelnut/chocolate/coffee – I’m not getting tea, not much if any coconut. It’s just a little thin mouth feel, but WOW is it good!!!
You have to like coffee to like this, this is hazelnut coffee. Awesome.
This will likely find a permanent place in my cupboard.
Edit OMG – I dumped the last half of the cup over ice – cooled it off. WOW Iced coffee. This is FANTASTIC cold. It’s like hazelnut Kahlua in iced coffee.
yay!
Ok good – I’m happy I didn’t exaggerate how good it was too much!
Between you and Cavocorax, I am definitely glad this made it into the approved pile to take to Florida
…try it cold. :))
Luckily the Herbal Infusions sampler size is quite large so I will probably be able to try it both hot and cold at least a couple of times.
Mmmmmm, hazelnut chocolate coffee? Where do I sign up?
Wow – sounds really different and good.
Hazelnut coffee is my absolute favorite! You both are making my mouth water! Stop it!
Hazelnut latte with soy is my fave…for coffee.
Haha that was my little secret- pouring it over ice! I was perfecting this blend at the tail end of the summer, and ended up making an iced latte. Almost lost my mind. The other thing I created with this one is a ridiculously addictive slushie. Steep the tea nice and strong, combine in a blender with some coconut milk (Silk is a great brand), a splash of honey or another liquid sweetener, and lots of ice. Pulse. Scoop out into a tall glass and enjoy. SOOOO GOOD!
interesting fact: I worked for years in corporate finance surrounded by coffee freaks. I love the smell of coffee, but can’t stomach it. So this was my solution to bringing a fancy mocha style tea into my life :)
-Dan
I make iced coffee like that – totally works, and this tea would as well. I’ve done it with chai too. :))
I have come to realize that this tea was delicious the first time I had it but it is a tea I really need to crave in order to enjoy. I find each time I reach for it, or any of the other cacao teas, I am not super excited for it and so I really don’t enjoy the cup. Today I am actually debating about dumping this cup. However that could be due to underleafing which is making this taste like very weak and not very pleasant chocolate water. I know this is a good cup of tea because I LOVED it the first time I had it.
Now I am worried if this is another Forever Nuts situation where I loved the cup and then completely lost interest. I hope not but I am sure someone will take it off my hands if it is. I am not quite ready to let it go just yet though as I suppose it is good to keep around for the odd times I do get those chocolate cravings.
Preparation
The Indigo Book store in my city has this one, the mint version, and the vanilla version listed as teas stocked in store (as well as a few Harney teas), but I haven’t had a chance to go in person to check it out. I’d heard of book stores stocking Harney’s but never herbal infusions so I thought that was kind of neat.
I saw it on their website and if I remember correctly, the price is ridiculous compared to the prices on herbal infusions website.
Quite possible :P Does is balance out with what shipping would be, though?
Indigo charges $16 for a 1.5 oz tin (just over 40 g. Herbal Infusions sells 50 g for $7.50 + $5 flat shipping so even with shipping, they are still cheaper. I tried to see how much herbal infusions charges for the tin but they are sold out in all the flavors so I can’t find the price.
I wonder if it would be best as a latte? It smells delicous, but tastes a little thin.
While packing my teas, I picked a lot and read each tea name to my roommate one by one. She said yes or no and her decision was final as that was the only way I was going to avoid packing my whole stash. Anyways, when I read this tea allowed, her ears perked up and so I offered to make some for us to try now.
This will definitely be coming with me to Florida because this is great. I wanted to try this for so long that I almost made a cup at 3 am this morning while I studied. Anyways, as my first introduction to Herbal Infusions, this does not disappoint. It is hot chocolate but not the milky treat that people have around a camp fire. This is pure, unadulterated dark chocolate flavor and it is amazing!!
Preparation
Agreed, it is amazing!!!
I am taking this one and strawberry cream cacao with me and I am debating about sneaking in the vanilla and mint ones too but I think I am already bringing 20 diff types of tea ranging from one cup to 40 g and mt dad is sending me 5 of my Black Friday orders while I am there.
LOL How long are you going for? IMHO you need a tea for all occasions/moods – do you really need 4 cacao teas?
Might be a good time to drink more iced tea…
Whatever you choose, enjoy it and have fun.
You don’t know what you’ll want, best bring the whole stash :)
I will be there until January 7. And I am glad you all can understand me and my tea needs. My mom on the other hand might think I am nuts when she opens my suitcase to find mostly shoes and tea :)
2 Suitcases. That’s the only answer.
haha don’t joke – I considered it.
(psssst told you guys this was good..neeener neeeener) lol
Chocolate, hazelnut, coffee!!!!
Oh, and I guess tea?
It’s a magic happy makeup potion!
(I wouldn’t need it if I had actually gone to sleep at midnight but I stayed up another hour reading this great fic and then couldn’t get my brain to shut up after because I wanted more but couldn’t keep my eyes open… Kindles with built-in reading lights will be my downfall!)
I have such a hard time with brain shut off at bedtime too! A lot of the times it is spinning about jewelry designs/plans or what tea I’m going to drink in the morning.
How much do I love my Kindle paperwhite? Lots and lots. And lots.
Dustin – YES! I know that feeling when you are so inspired/excited to get going on something. Lame as it sounds, I felt the same way about designing our company’s website. :P
Oddree-Which version do you have? I have the original paperwhite, but I cracked it 2 months ago and I’m looking to replace it in the summer. Not sure if there’s a real difference between version 1 and 2, or if I should wait until September to see if they announce a Paperwhite 3… It sucks I broke mine after less than a year though, but it’s manageable… for now. Even though the cracks in the light are so obvious at night. /0\
I wish wish wish I had gone with a backlit Kobo, seeing as the Sony store just merged with Kobo. :/ I still read more on my phone because I don’t need to have a room light on.
What do you think of Kobo? I’ve found them to be very competitive with ebook prices compared to Amazon. That sucks you regret not having the light though. :|
I haven’t really looked. I don’t like the infinite scrolling thing they have going on, so I’ve pretty much ignored everything. I do have a $10 credit I should use, but I’m not sure what to get. It’s hard to justify $15 on an ebook when I can get the paperback for less (used book store…).
Yay! It’s the end of the week. And I’m nearly over my cold too! :O
But I’m worn out. I fell asleep on my bus for a few minutes and was jarred awake after we passed the 401 and I had a brief moment of panic because OMG, I don’t know where I am, and Toronto is a big city you guys… But it worked out just fine.
I need some coffee though. And tea! So, how about coffee/tea? I just got this one today and I was dying to have some anyway.
I was a little concerned I might not like this one as much as I was a little disappointed with the base in some of Herbal Infusions’ black blends (and if they use the same one for all of them, then the flavouring really makes a huge difference!) Either way, this one was better than I remembered. It’s sweet, and nutty with enough coffee flavour to give it a wake-me-up kick, without being too much. I can’t drink coffee w/o milk and sugar, but this tea is quite nice plain!
I’m pretty happy I snagged 50g. And once it shipped it got to Scarborough in one day! Not bad. They still need to get a little quicker getting the packages out the door, but this is an improvement. I would buy from them again.
Also, the ingredients WERE listed on the bags of all the teas I purchased for those who are worried about allergies etc.
Yikes! This tea review turned into an essay!
Preparation
Mmmm…this sounds really, really wonderful.
Glad your cold is almost gone! And happy you received your parcel already. Wow! Mine hasn’t even shipped yet. Wonder if they forgot about mine.
You make me want coffee tea with half and half now haha.
Love the name. I recently heard of Moose Tracks ice cream, wonder if the flavor is the same.
It is really wonderful, especially if you like coffee! The nice thing about the company is that shipping is only $5. Not too bad!
Fjellrev – I hope yours ships soon! Maybe send them a fb message? I’ve had quick replies that way.
And Idk? I don’t think I’ve had the ice cream.
I read that you “shagged” (50g.) I was like .. whaaa?!?
Wish the SITE had ingredients listed. I’d hate to get something that his hibiscus or licorice or something floral in it.
LOL Nxtdoor.
Oh geez. The site still doesn’t have ingredients? I’ll hassle them again. They have a “description” but no actual listing of ingredients. Cavo, would you be so kind as to compare the list on this tea to the website?
Hahhah Nxtdoor – I was pretty excited about it! :P
I will on Monday if I remember – I only brought enough home with me for 1 cup and left the rest at the office…
This is my first Herbal Infusions blend that I’ve tried, and I am just pleased as punch!
It’s dark and rich and sweet and makes me think I don’t need H&S’s SoHo or Florence because the coconut and hazelnut in this are fantastic, and I love the coffee beans and chocolate for the mocha effect, all swirled around an almondy black base.
Yessssssssss.
The only downshot is that the sample bags AREN’T resealable so I’ll probably make this again tomorrow as my go-cup for my transit adventure to see Sil. I suspect it’ll make a great timolino brew too.
And I just had one cup and I’m looking at the website and thinking… hmmm. $6.50 for 50g is pretty good, add to cart, no wait – close it! (I need to try more of their teas)
ETA: By the way, this is also much better than the H&S teas I’ve mentioned above because all the flavours come across as completely natural. I’m happy Courtney reviewed this and got em excited enough to sample it.
Preparation
hmmm that makes me happy to see – positive reviews! haha
Do you want to try some of this? I can bring you enough for one cup.
I also found myself on their website tonight pondering over 50g of a few teas. Gah!
sure! that would be cool beans yo
That’s great to hear!
Yummo!
This makes me happy too, I ordered just assuming that I would love it. From your comments, it sounds like I will.
Right dexter?! Soho and Florence lovers!
Oh no. Now I’m nervous. What if I was just in a great mood and rated it higher than it deserves? :O Well Sil can have a shot at it too…
And I don’t really care for my SoHo or Florence blends anymore. I just can’t make them good. They’re either weak or artificial… So this one was really nice in comparison.
I might need to break the rules and dig out my package of this. I LOVE Soho and Florance, but I also adore mocha. If this combines all of that…. Swoon..
BrewTEAlly Sweet Have you tried this? If not remind me to toss some into that package I’m going to send you once I get organized….
I have not tried it! :) and oh my jeezus that would be so awesome of you!!! Eeeek!
You got it, I’m steeping some right now. It smells amazing!!!
Better than Soho and Florence – that is awesome! I got tired of Florence as well, at the end of my tin but still have some Soho which I liked better anyway for the coconut but this sounds like it might be a good similar alternative!
I bet Dexter! I can’t wait to try it!
Unsure why I kept this out for weeks to try again. It’s the same experience as last time – too rind-y for me, and just shy of a lemon pledge -type lemon.. which is weird, considering I love lemon anything, as well as mints. There’s just something more medicinal about this lemon that isn’t sitting quite right with me. Lowering my rating a bit.
Preparation
Thank you Herbal Infusions for the free sample in my last (first) order!
I oversteeped this a huge amount – 33 minutes – because I like my mint’s strong. Perhaps that was a bit of a mistake, or maybe just right? All I know is, this is a very strong lemon rind flavor coupled with mint. Zen? Perhaps. Tasty? Definitely, if you like a lemon mint tea. A bit rind-y for me though, and likely something I’ll pass over on my next order. Still grateful to have tried it, and more than enough to share if someone else would like a taste.
Preparation
Ok! There is hope for this. My 91 rating is not unjustified.
I let it sit for 25 minutes, or more, and enjoyed it when I came back. It was perfect. It didn’t taste like thin water. It taste rich and chocolately and decadent. I may have wasted leaf on this, but I’d rather leaf the heck out of it and enjoy it, than not.
But I"m still gonna sneak a chocolate almond or two after I finish this cup!
Flavors: Chocolate
Preparation
So, the verdict is that tere IS hope for this one. Mewakeling suggested I steep it for at least 20 minutes, so I left it in for 30, and it was still warm enough that my mug (colour-changing) hadn’t faded yet. Excellent!
It tasted a little ‘barky’ but still with a lot of chocolate. :D
I added a little milk to it too. Yep. This is much better. It’d almost make a hot chocolate substitute, if only I could get more chocolate in here. :P
N
Woohoo!!
It’s not easy to leave a tea that long! Good thing I had another to keep me occupied.
Haha I was going to say, I’d go crazy with impatience.
Talk about a good way to practice patience!
I am so glad it worked!! Time really does bring this tea a lot closer to the hot chocolate we are all looking for from it, doesn’t it. It is hard to leave that long, but really worth it in the end.
