This is a sample I received from Teavana with an order I placed online back in October. It’s unique in that it has rock sugar mixed in with the tea leaves. I’ve never used rock sugar before, but supposedly it dissolves into the water as the tea steeps. Aside from the rock sugar, which looks and tastes just like the rock candy I used to eat as a kid, the tea has bits of apple, orange peel, and what I’m guessing is hibiscus. There are a few thin pieces of tea but definitely more fruit. It’s very fragrant and smells sweet, fruity, and a bit tart.
Immediately after pouring over the water, the liquid showed streaks of pink and peach. The tea leaves opened and the rest of the mix began to turn a ruby red. The rock sugar seems to have dissolved into the tea so we’ll see how sweet it is on its own. Hopefully the temperature and steep time are right.
There is a slight sweetness, but nothing like the samples they have in the store. I’m also not really tasting any citrus here. It’s definitely more berry.
A little bland, a little tart. Somewhat astringent. It’s not my favorite, but I think with a little honey it might be better.
Flavors: Astringent, Berry, Fruity, Sweet, Tart
