Teavana seems to have done a few rooibos/mate blends. I don’t think I have seen anyone else do one. This smells great in the bag. Chocolate, nutty and earthy. Once steeped I can still smell that, but the flavor isn’t as strong on the sip. I get a light leather/tobacco taste on the sip and more nutty chocolate on the aftertaste. It is a little lacking somewhere, but I can’t figure out exactly why. The experience is much improved with the addition of sweetened creamer. It is better rounded and more hearty now. The strong notes on the sip are lessened and more of the nutty chocolate comes through. This tea is enjoyable and I’d gladly drink more of it, but I don’t think it is worthy of a permanent place in my cupboard, which is good because I think it has been discontinued.
205 °F / 96 °C
4 min, 0 sec