The first thing I noticed upon opening this tea was the strong smell of menthol. It was overwhelming and reminded me of the lingering aroma in an empty pack of cigarettes. The tea itself has large pieces of dried citrus (oranges, perhaps?) and what I think might be bits of apple pieces. I brewed enough to fill my 16 oz. tumbler and noticed again the menthol scent mixed with a little berry. The tea smelled mostly of mint though once it was finished steeping.
This tea is slightly bitter and very astringent. It also produced an uncomfortable cooling sensation in the back of my throat. I could taste the rooibos, but was mostly distracted by the way this tea made my mouth and throat feel while drinking it.
I managed to finish all 16 oz. but it took me a few hours of sipping to get it all down. I do not like this blend at all and cannot imagine wanting to drink this again. I still have plenty left so instead of letting it go to waste I will most likely try mixing this with other teas to see if I can bring out something good in it. If anyone has any suggestions for this one, I would love to hear them!
Flavors: Astringent, Berry, Bitter, Menthol, Mint, Rooibos
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I really love this tea. I wonder if maybe less leaf and a shorter steep would improve it for you? Or possibly a cold brew? I might also try mixing it with a tea that has more intense berry flavours and sweetness.
Thank you so much for your suggestions, Anlina! I’ve read in some of the other comments that this tea works well when iced so I’ve been meaning to try it. The cold brew method is especially appealing; I’m interested to see how this technique affects the flavor of different types of teas. I’m hoping this makes for a smoother and sweeter cup.
Along with your suggestion to mix with a berry tea (I have a few that might work here), I’m also planning to incorporate this with another rooibos tea to help tone down some of the stronger flavors. I’ve heard that Teavana’s Citrus Lavender Sage goes well here too when iced.
One person did mention that putting this particular blend on ice will bring out more of the mintiness, and I’m wondering now if I’m not enjoying this because of the mint. I’ve had a few mint teas before, but I’ve yet to find one that I thought was memorable. Either way, I’m giving this a go. And, like you said, I can always try a shorter steep with less tea.
Lots of plans for this one – I really want to find a way to love it!
I really love this tea. I wonder if maybe less leaf and a shorter steep would improve it for you? Or possibly a cold brew? I might also try mixing it with a tea that has more intense berry flavours and sweetness.
Thank you so much for your suggestions, Anlina! I’ve read in some of the other comments that this tea works well when iced so I’ve been meaning to try it. The cold brew method is especially appealing; I’m interested to see how this technique affects the flavor of different types of teas. I’m hoping this makes for a smoother and sweeter cup.
Along with your suggestion to mix with a berry tea (I have a few that might work here), I’m also planning to incorporate this with another rooibos tea to help tone down some of the stronger flavors. I’ve heard that Teavana’s Citrus Lavender Sage goes well here too when iced.
One person did mention that putting this particular blend on ice will bring out more of the mintiness, and I’m wondering now if I’m not enjoying this because of the mint. I’ve had a few mint teas before, but I’ve yet to find one that I thought was memorable. Either way, I’m giving this a go. And, like you said, I can always try a shorter steep with less tea.
Lots of plans for this one – I really want to find a way to love it!