My Christmas eve eve tea! I brewed a scant teaspoon for a full 10 minutes, even though Martin suggests a 6 minute brew on the label (thanks for this tea!). I’m in the mood for some strong festive spice, and I didn’t want to use all this tea up in one go.
It has the red glow and tart aroma of a hibiscus dominated blend – which is definitely my cup of tea. Love it. But there’s also some spices (cloves, cinnamon) and other fruit notes (juicy sultanas and apple) swirling around in the steam.
Wow! Interesting flavour. It’s very light and not very hibiscus flavoured at all. Smooth and sweet. Notes of apple, apricot and sultanas develop a few seconds into the sip, with a hint of tartness coming in at the end with those berry hibiscus notes. But that’s super subtle – even if you dislike hibiscus, I reckon you wouldn’t be too upset with this tea.
Can’t say whether that’s because I only brewed a small teaspoon (perhaps I missed the large hibiscus pieces in the bag) or if that’s how the tea is designed to taste.
The spices are present, but mingled and more of a sensation than a flavour. Besides cinnamon, cloves and maybe nutmeg, I can’t decipher which specific spices are included.
Overall, this is a good festive tea. I might brew up the rest tomorrow, adding a shot of amaretto. I think the sweet almond flavour would work well with the fruits in this tea.
Flavors: Apple, Apricot, Berries, Cinnamon, Clove, Hibiscus, Nutmeg, Spices, Tart
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I think you are the first other person I’ve seen on here that likes hibi blends, now I don’t have to feel so alien all the time! I love these hibi-citrus-spice Christmas teas, too.
I am happy that you like this tea, called, “Christmas Treats” in translation and ingredients list is very, very long: apple, hibiscus, rose hips, orange zest, sultanas (raisins?), dates, apricots, prunes, figs, coconut, licorice, cardamom, rose buds and rose petals and vanilla.
I haven’t tried it yet! So, I am indeed glad you like it :) I think there isn’t anything wrong steeping it for 10 minutes instead of 6; 6 were recommended by the producer. It was such aromatic when I opened the sachet though. I wasn’t really sure if it will all work together well! Haha.
You are welcome ;)
I find with big chunky herbals like this, I use a ton of leaf and just leave the bag in the cup… infinite steep! :-)
Yes, Mastress Alita! Hibiscus is yum. Sometimes I like to fish the hibiscus pieces out of my tea strainer (after brewing them as tea) and put them on top of my oatmeal with a generous teaspoon of honey :P Delish.
I think you are the first other person I’ve seen on here that likes hibi blends, now I don’t have to feel so alien all the time! I love these hibi-citrus-spice Christmas teas, too.
I am happy that you like this tea, called, “Christmas Treats” in translation and ingredients list is very, very long: apple, hibiscus, rose hips, orange zest, sultanas (raisins?), dates, apricots, prunes, figs, coconut, licorice, cardamom, rose buds and rose petals and vanilla.
I haven’t tried it yet! So, I am indeed glad you like it :) I think there isn’t anything wrong steeping it for 10 minutes instead of 6; 6 were recommended by the producer. It was such aromatic when I opened the sachet though. I wasn’t really sure if it will all work together well! Haha.
You are welcome ;)
I find with big chunky herbals like this, I use a ton of leaf and just leave the bag in the cup… infinite steep! :-)
Yes, Mastress Alita! Hibiscus is yum. Sometimes I like to fish the hibiscus pieces out of my tea strainer (after brewing them as tea) and put them on top of my oatmeal with a generous teaspoon of honey :P Delish.