Hibiscus

I’m upping the rating of this one because it’s SO MUCH BETTER cold brewed. I saw that Michelle had cold brewed this one & said it made a world of difference & decided to give this tea one more chance.

Holy cow is it so different.

I put about 12oz of water into a plastic bottle with the tea leaves just swimming around in there. I had only meant to let it sit for about an hour, but forgot about it so it sat in the fridge for 2.5 hours or so I think? I strained it out into a big glass whenever I remembered it.

The flavor was much lighter, but you got more tea and less ‘medicine’ flavor. It was tart (so I added just a little simple syrup to temper that) and fruity. Definitely something I’d drink again. I’m glad too because Adagio’s samples are pretty big & now mine won’t go to waste!

I got this as a free sample in the last order I placed with Adagio. When I ordered it I thought at first that it was actual hibiscus, not a flavored black. When I learned it was the latter, I got really afraid. I don’t mind hib… it can just get SO tart. So I’ve waited to try this for a few weeks.

Yesterday I steeped a pot of it hot, but left it on just a bit too long (Adagio’s flavored blacks are sooo sensitive) and it started to get bitter, so I didn’t have more than a sip or two of the pot.

Later that day, it was really awfully hot out. I wanted tea but didn’t want to drink anything hot, so I filled a T-sac of this and some cold water and decided I’d let it cold-steep in the hour or so I had before class.

It’s REALLY GOOD. Which surprises me immensely! I admit, the flavor was a bit light, but even still. The black base was a bright, solid black, and the hibiscus gave it just a little bit of floral fruitiness without being sour. I’m not sure how it’d fare in other circumstances, but I for one really like it in this context. I’m really interested to try it with some rose and rosehip mixed in.

This time I steeped this with 3 teaspoons per 16 oz. SO GOOD. I love hibiscus. And snow days. And hibiscus.

’Here’s Hoping’ Teabox Round #4 – Tea #29

This was an odd one to find. Hibiscus flavored?!? Adagio must have every flavor! I think it is mostly “flavored” as I only see here and there pieces of hibiscus. I can’t believe Adagio’s base is a Ceylon because I actually like this base. It must be a rare Ceylon I actually like. As for the hibiscus flavor, it wasn’t that noticeable to me.

This tea is really hard to drink alone. Yes it’s very good for the body but I always have to mix it with something. This week it has been with a strong china black, with honey and milk. It’s not too bad when mixed expecially if I will get added benefits from the mix.

Very floral tasting tea! At first I was a bit taken a back, since I haven’t tastes a tea like this before, but as I kept drinking it, it started to grow on me. Lovely tea! My mother adores this tea too.

Love Love Love this! Fruity and delicious!