Turkish Apple "Apple Vanilla"

I know that hibiscus has kind of a bad rep, but I love it. So when I opened the little pouch from the sample that Fusion Tea Room so generously sent me, I got super excited. I was also hit with a really strong apple/hibiscus/vanilla type of smell, and it’s just so tantalizing.

I knew I wanted to have this iced, since it’s currently about 80 degrees out and I’m laying in the grass writing a paper on the nature of truth (what a lib arts college student I am, ha) and I didn’t want hot tea. So I brewed it double-strength and then flash iced it. It takes me a full tray of ice when I do this, but that’s okay.

It’s delicious. This is going right on my wish list. The hibiscus hits the palate first and the apple sweeps over, sweeter and smoother in its wake. There’s a lingering hint of vanilla and something cinnamonny too. I think the warmth of the vanilla does a lot to knit the whole thing together. Very appetizing.

I am not crazy about hibiscus, but, since I steeped this at a lower temperature (195 degrees F instead of boiling) and for only 6 minutes, I wasn’t overwhelmed by the hibiscus. I like the apple, and I actually do like the way the hibiscus highlights the apple tones here – the apple tastes sweet and tart, and reminds me of a crisp granny smith. The vanilla is especially nice, sweet and creamy and it tones the hibiscus down just enough to make the cup enjoyable.

Eventho this has hibiscus in it – it seems to be the right amount for my liking. This pretty good! Apple is certainly the primary focus here then the hibiscus and vanilla. I’m also picking up on a cider-like-spice, too! But I am pleasantly surprised with this one :)