This was in the Basilur assortment sent to me by Martin – many thanks!
When someone speaks of Indian Summer here in the South, they mean the hot weather that follows the first cool weather of fall. Sometimes the first cool weather is called false fall. I assumed this is a widespread expression and also that this is what Basilur was referring to in the name of this tea.
Sipping it hot for the first time without having read the ingredients, I was very surprised by the exotic flavor that the rose brings to this blend. It hit me that Basilur is probably referring to summer in India.
This is one of the few hibiscus blends I have really enjoyed hot and unsweetened. I also tried it cold, cold and sweetened, and as a switchel. I think I may have liked it best hot, with iced and sweetened coming in as a close second.
I would have thought the same way, and think our rather quaint terminology is pretty widespread, no matter how hard I try to stamp it out in myself.