Raspberry & Vanilla

I stumbled upon this little treasure of a tea that Jaime sent me awhile back while cleaning out my tea cupboards. My does this smell like a bowl of fresh picked raspberries splashed with cream. The aroma alone from this little teabag is quite impressive. The taste is very full of raspberry flavor with just a hint of the tartness of fresh berries. The vanilla hits on the end of the sip and makes this a decadent treat. I will definitely be looking for more of this tea soon!

Tea of the evening…..

And day 14 of 24. I think this one came from JacquelineM, but I am not positive. Apologies if I am wrong….and thank you if I am not! (How’s that for sounding completely batty?……)

This one is more hibiscus than I like, BUT I am drinking it without sweetener. I am not really sure I have done that with an herbal like this before. I do get raspberry flavor, but very little in the realm of vanilla, because the hibiscus overpowers the cup a little too much. Why, oh why to herbal tea blenders go so heavy on the hibiscus? Really, it ends up tasting quite a bit like lemonade. And it might actually be very nice for those days when you have a sore throat.

8 oz boiling water, 1 teabag, 5 minutes. No additions.

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Water: boiling
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes (http://steep.it/)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: raspberry, hibiscus
Steeped Tea Smell: hibiscus, raspberry
Flavor: hibiscus
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: sweet, vanilla
Liquor: opaque dark pink

Not really getting raspberry or vanilla. I was a fine cup but not something I want more of.

Swap with oOTeaOo , Thank you

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/01/taylors-of-harrogate-teabag-herbal.html

I’m not sure where the vanilla is hiding in here, because I’m getting that hot jell-o mix taste that I get from so much red fruit tea. But I’m in a hotel, and I’m exhausted, and this tea bag came with the hotel. It’s not undrinkable, but it’s certainly not delicious either. I really can’t distinguish this from most other teas in the same genre.

So instead I’ll complain that this Marriott, like most, has no free ‘net access from anywhere but the lobby, and I didn’t realize this until after changing into my pajama pants with the little skulls and stars on them. And since I am here in a professional capacity, I’d prefer for folks in the group not to see me in my nightwear. I was admiring my room’s lovely desk with copious wall jacks for my laptop, before realizing it’s just all part of Marriott’s attempt to seduce me into paying $12.95/day for internet access. Dear Marriott, I am getting reimbursed to be here, but considering what I paid your hotel for my lunch I think I’ve already used my per diem for the day.

This is one of the prettiest teas that I’ve ever had. The color is a dark red and purple. Gorgeous! The flavor is definitely raspberry mixed with a little sweetness (I assume this is supposed to be the Vanilla). It’s tasty, but has a strange flavor in the background. While this is a fine tea, it tastes just a little funky to me. Thank you to oOTeaOo for sharing with me!

Got this one from Aisling today when she let me choose something from her tea wallet. It was not very vanilla, but there were definite raspberry notes. I’d score this one higher if it wasn’t for the hibiscus that came out dominating on the second steep.

My mom and dad gave me a bunch of teas, herbals, and tea accessories! This being one of them. Yum! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! It smells like raspberries and is so delicious! This blend is slightly tart but the raspberry is prominent. It is naturally sweet as well. I imagine that this one would taste great iced.

Color: rose
Scent: raspberry
Taste
Nude: raspberry, after taste of Vanilla
With sugar: Vanilla with and aftertaste of Raspberry
*personally, it was very Raspberry-esk

While this was steeping it smelled like stale tea. Which is kind of odd given that there’s no tea in it. After…it sort of tastes like one of the CS herbals though I don’t remember which. Probably the Raspberry Zinger or whatever it’s called. Though the raspberry flavor isn’t as strong in this one. Don’t get any vanilla, either taste or smell. Adding sugar doesn’t do much other than sweeten up some of the tartness.

Accidentally brewed for oh, 11 minutes instead of the 5 I usually brew this for. Over-steeping doesn’t bother this infusion at all (apart from it getting cold). This is an amazing blend: fruity, full-bodied, with just the perfect hint of vanilla. It reminds me of a tea that I had at the tea room at Down House in Kent. I wish I knew what that exact tea was now; until I figure it out, this is a really good substitute. This is my second box; I’ll always have some of this on hand.