Luscious Watermelon

I absolutely can NOT drink this one hot. Something about hot watermelon is just too wrong and I can’t get past the idea of it.

Iced however, wow! The tin smells like pure watermelon, but the taste is something more. I don’t pick up the honeydew (which is good, I’m not a fan of the stuff), but like someone else said I taste banana?!

I like to steep it triple or quadruple strength, ice it, then use it (steeped goodies and all) to make slushies. Add a splash of vodka or red sourpuss for a more adult summery treat ;)

06/2012
summer in the city
http://instagram.com/p/MNqbaCIczk/

Before anything, I have to admit that I actually really dislike watermelon-flavored things. I have a truce with the fruit itself, but watermelon-flavored things always make me gag. But this is made with real watermelon pieces, so – I go into it with only moderate hope of liking it, but I go into it anyway! (and thank you so much for this sample, Meowkattack!)

Seeing carrots in the ingredients also admittedly made me a bit wary, as “luscious” calls to my mind things very sweet and fruity. The smell of the brewed tea, however, was much more mellow – I think I began smelling more of the strawberry leaves, maybe. But this isn’t too bad! It’s definitely more than just watermelon, though I can tell it’s at the forefront. This one doesn’t have the tart aftertaste that most of the other fruit teas I’ve drank had.

Added a bit of honey in and iced half the cup – a bit better that way, though still probably not something I’d buy on my own.

I got this iced a while ago while I happened to be around a DAVIDs (an all too rare occurrence these days I’m afraid!) It was super refreshing but I didn’t find it all that flavourful, but considering that it is based off of watermelon, which is also mostly water, I guess that is to be expected. Refreshing and fruity, it makes a great summer tea, but I am a little disappointed by the weakness.

I like this less than I remember. I think it tastes very over-the-top, or something. It is just really sweet, but it’s not bad per se. Just not one I think I’ll buy again, which is difficult because it smells so incredible.

Another yummy iced tea in my fridge. Yay!

You know what this reminds me of? In the Philippines, my aunt would take a cantaloupe, shred it into a pitcher of cold water and ice, and put a tiny bit of sugar. This iced tea has that wonderful melon taste with a watermelon kick. I can’t taste anything other than melon, which can be a good thing since the carrot didn’t really appeal to me.

The only thing I messed up on…I put a cup of simple syrup in without thinking about how sweet the tea would be on its own. I really must learn to taste the iced tea before sweetening it. And sweeten it I probably will because I have an incurable sweet tooth. Luckily, I have more of this (unlike my White Malibu which I’ve consigned to memory) so I can try it straight next time.

And can I just say that the Takeya iced tea maker is awesome!! I got it through a gift certificate to Davids Tea that my sister-in-law gave me for my birthday. It is one of my favourite tea making devices, along with my Steeper, also from Davids Tea.

So I wasn’t supposed to buy any more tea, as I’m moving house soon and I swear 90% of my stuff to be packed is tea tins. But as I strolled by this afternoon – Yessss! The David’s Tea $1 iced tea promo was on!! I got a travel mug of this iced and it was the perfect beach-side sipper. When highly chilled the tangy melon flavour really comes through and pops more. As the ice melts and it gets warmer, I taste a little more apple/juice flavour, and it’s still good but somehow tastes a wee bit more artificial. I guess one more tin can’t hurt…?

Cold steeped this over night in the fridge, my first iced tea attempt. And I am a very happy camper. This is delicious, light, and when summer gets to be really hot, I am going to crave this stuff. Wondering if I perhaps didn’t use enough tea, not too flavourful but definitely refreshing, like a lightly flavoured iced water. Some experimentation is in order.
Will be getting another package, unless another tea in the summer box set is even better (yay for birthday gifts!)

Has anyone frozen their iced tea to make popsicles?? Potential yum..

I busted this out last night because I was craving something fruity and couldn’t partake of the coffee that everyone else was drinking (stomach problems, you see).

I still have a full tin of this from the summer, I know it’ll probably come back this year, but you never know for sure! I definitely prefer this iced or fridge-brewed, but it’s winter and cold drinks just seem wrong this time of year. However, it was still delicious and summery like a watermelon Jolly Rancher, but not as unbearably sweet. I drank it straight, but when I ice it I always add agave nectar because I like how well it mixes in to colder beverages.

i loved the smell! when i first bought it- i had expected, it to taste the same when steeped-it wasn’t the case. It has a beautiful pink ruby colour,when steeped- i can’t really taste the watermelon-i do taste the apple and strawberry, this tea is light on taste. i won’t be buying it again.