Hibiscus

I got this as a free sample in the last order I placed with Adagio. When I ordered it I thought at first that it was actual hibiscus, not a flavored black. When I learned it was the latter, I got really afraid. I don’t mind hib… it can just get SO tart. So I’ve waited to try this for a few weeks.

Yesterday I steeped a pot of it hot, but left it on just a bit too long (Adagio’s flavored blacks are sooo sensitive) and it started to get bitter, so I didn’t have more than a sip or two of the pot.

Later that day, it was really awfully hot out. I wanted tea but didn’t want to drink anything hot, so I filled a T-sac of this and some cold water and decided I’d let it cold-steep in the hour or so I had before class.

It’s REALLY GOOD. Which surprises me immensely! I admit, the flavor was a bit light, but even still. The black base was a bright, solid black, and the hibiscus gave it just a little bit of floral fruitiness without being sour. I’m not sure how it’d fare in other circumstances, but I for one really like it in this context. I’m really interested to try it with some rose and rosehip mixed in.

When I opened the bag the aroma that greeted me was overwhelmingly medicinal. I wish I could say that that quality was not carried over into the flavor of the tea once steeped but alas I cannot. It was a sharp bitter medicinal flavor that I could not get past. There was an underlying floral note to it, but it was almost hidden by the unpleasant medicinal flavor. I think that perhaps this flavor of tea might pair well when blended with other teas & perhaps the floral notes might shine through if the medicinal flavor was tempered by other flavors.

That being said, I plan on giving it another shot later on down the road and seeing if it grows on me. It is my first hibiscus tea, and I do love floral teas, so I’d hate to dismiss it based on one tasting.

This tea is really hard to drink alone. Yes it’s very good for the body but I always have to mix it with something. This week it has been with a strong china black, with honey and milk. It’s not too bad when mixed expecially if I will get added benefits from the mix.

Very floral tasting tea! At first I was a bit taken a back, since I haven’t tastes a tea like this before, but as I kept drinking it, it started to grow on me. Lovely tea! My mother adores this tea too.

Love Love Love this! Fruity and delicious!