This was unusual….. I received an online backorder of Amandine Rose from the Teavana website, an order I had placed as soon as the new teas were released. I had gotten what was previously in my cabinet from a retail store (god, what a nightmare that was) and found that it was IDENTICAL in every which way to Almond Biscotti. I opened up the baggies to add to the existing tin, and paused. I smelled ROSE, I smelled something floral. Something not Almond Biscotti.
I peered into the bags and poured the new Amandine Rose into an empty tin. It had pieces of candied violet. It had little bits of cinnamon. It had things that were different than what I was told. I was told, repeatedly, that Almond Biscotti and Amandine Rose were exactly the same. What I bought in the store was supposedly “legit” but now I am certain they were short on Amandine Rose and just poured Almond Biscotti into the tin and labeled it revamped. Teavana’s stance on sales ethics wouldn’t surprise me on that one. They’re not at all the same.
This tea is lovely. The floral flavor is very subtle, and the almond isn’t as prominent as Almond Biscotti. It is a darker black tea and gets bitter easily if oversteeped. The rose scent is noticeable from the dry leaves, but brewed it fades into the almond and cinnamon. Nothing is cloying, nothing is overpowering. It is a delicately flavored tea, and I am enjoying the REAL Amandine Rose.
