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“The dry leaf smelled overwhelmingly like chamomile (which is funny ‘cos in my head I don’t really think of chamomile as having a strong fragrance). Steeped, I didn’t taste the chamomile, just apple...” Read full tasting note
“I seem to be gravitating to the 52Teas blends that I haven’t written reviews for yet, even if I think I’ve already written a note. But I haven’t written a note for this and neither has anyone...” Read full tasting note
Tea of the Week for November 19, 2018!
A couple of years ago while shopping at IKEA (right around this time of year too, in fact) I discovered a sparkling apple and lingonberry drink that I absolutely fell in love with – and I wrote down the idea of creating a lingonberry and apple cider. And here it is!
Now, I’m pretty sure that IKEA’s beverage isn’t made with chamomile or green rooibos, but I thought that for my tea interpretation of the drink, it was the perfect blend to use as a base for this cider. Chamomile has a sweet, apple-y sort of taste to it. Green rooibos has a natural fruity tone to it. Add some apples and lingonberries, ginger, cinnamon and clove – and we have my version of IKEA’s holiday beverage.
And I’ve got to tell you – I think I like this even better than the stuff from IKEA – maybe it’s because this isn’t ‘sparkling’ (which is nice for the first couple of sips but after that, I become less and less fond of the bubbles.) Or maybe it’s because it’s tea? Or maybe because it’s not quite as sweet as the soda-pop-y sparkling cider. Whatever the reason, I am really loving this cuppa! It’s sweet, but not too sweet because the lingonberry tart cuts through it just a bit. The spices are gentle – there just to enhance the flavors and create a cider-like taste without overwhelming the palate with heat.
This is a really nice drink to curl up with. It’s naturally caffeine-free so it won’t keep you awake. I’m told that chamomile has relaxing properties so there’s that. And VEGAN, gluten free & allergen free!
ingredients: lingonberries
organic ingredients: green rooibos, chamomile, apples, cinnamon, ginger, clove & natural flavors
At 52teas.com, you will find unique, hand-blended artisan loose leaf teas: a new limited edition creation every week of the year. We pride ourselves on offering truly unique, one-of-a-kind tea blends that you won’t find anywhere else.
The dry leaf smelled overwhelmingly like chamomile (which is funny ‘cos in my head I don’t really think of chamomile as having a strong fragrance). Steeped, I didn’t taste the chamomile, just apple and clove. And the lingonberry? I dunno. I think I got some lingonberry jam from IKEA, once, but I don’t remember its taste or whether any of that flavour in this blend.
Taste is a super subjective thing and I think maybe I don’t like hot cider? If you do, I think you’ll like this blend.
Flavors: Apple, Clove
I seem to be gravitating to the 52Teas blends that I haven’t written reviews for yet, even if I think I’ve already written a note. But I haven’t written a note for this and neither has anyone else…. it’s time for a note – this seems seasonally appropriate! I think this from annie when she sent a few 52Teas blends a couple years ago thanks again! Though I have no idea what a Lingonberry is… I don’t think I heard of lingonberry until this blend. Really, I could never taste anything specifically differently lingonberry here, whatever that flavor might be. Google is telling me they are like cranberries and taste tart – but I don’t taste anything like that here. The apple lends to a chamomile flavor, the chamomile lends to the apple flavor. The perfect blend of spices here with cinnamon, cloves and ginger, however I wish they would appear in the flavor more. The second steep especially tasted like a plain cup of chamomile, despite the very long steep.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for full mug // 18 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 10 minute steep
2020 Sipdowns: 93 (Bitaco Mist Forest & Teavivre – Dark Forest Fruit & VAHDAM – Okayti Premium Darjeeling First Flush)
Lingonberry tastes almost exactly like cranberry to me, though the berries are smaller. I like lingonberry jam on my toast. :D
I love lingonberry! We keep the jam on hand at all times.
Thanks for the flavor confirming, Cameron – I think you have a fridge full of jams. I wish I had a fridge full of jams. haha. :D
I should really start making jam… Then I can send it to all of my Steepster pals. ;)
Ikea has a really good Lingonberry Jam.
I’ll have to try that, I really liked their lingonberry drink syrup. :3
