136 Tasting Notes
I have received two sample envelopes of this pre-blended from Teavana with rock sugar, as well as being convinced by the store staff to buy two packets and blend it myself. I like the combination; it makes a flavorful and fruity cup of tea. Adding a little bit of rock sugar enhances the flavor; what comes in the pre-blended samples makes it syrupy. I think this is the best tasting blend that Teavana currently sells, so I’ll give it a good rating.
I have to mention that I agree with another reviewer about her overall feeling regarding the Teavana stores; as my husband puts it, “If you don’t buy $200 worth of tea, they treat you like crap.” (This was at the Mall of America store in Bloomington, MN.) Well, I’ve had very bad luck ordering online too. My last shipment arrived with two packets in a larger box, and the shipping list showed that 12 were included. That’s right, 10 2 oz packets were missing. I called customer service and they made it right (but I had to wait 4-5 days to get the rest of my tea). Check your orders from Teavana!
The tea sachets are handy and make this an easy tea to prepare, but that’s where the truly positive ends. I bought a tin of this (50 unbleached tea bags) at Whole Foods in St. Paul, MN. I felt that the black tea had a bitter undercurrent to it. I even tried steeping the tea with lukewarm water and under-steeping it time-wise. There was a light bitterness to every cup. Could it have been old tea? That’s why I mention the store from which it was purchased. Also, I could not detect a mango flavor. I bought this tea in desperation as I had just run out of Teavana black teas; since getting this tea, I have managed to wean myself from even black tea (I only occasionally drink coffee, and have not touched pop/soda for 26 years). I just wouldn’t buy this again.
I really, really like this tea! Rich berry flavors on a delicate white tea. It may not be terribly original or novel, but it certainly is good. From the first cup to the last in all of the envelopes I have purchased, it has been entirely consistent and good. Smooth with rich sweet berry flavors; the tea that I have purchased has not been sour or bitter. I will continue to buy this tea as it does not have any additives other than tea, fruit, and hibiscus flowers. Satisfying.
This is the first tea that I bought from 52 Teas. The coconut flavor was rich and very good, and the aroma was great. I thought the black tea base could’ve used a little improvement, though, as it had a touch of bitterness. Just a very little bit. But overall, this tea lived up to its name and was quite satisfying to quench a craving for coconut cream pie. I would buy this again and continue to try other teas by 52 Teas (I have two others at home right now, Cinnamon Roll Honeybush and Apricot Cheesecake).
As other posters have stated, if you understeep this tea, it has no flavor; if you oversteep it, it becomes bitter. I am having the last cup of a 2 oz resealable envelope and it is bitter. I think it should have more of a pure blueberry flavor to it.
Another thing that may be bothering me and making the tea taste bad to me is that it includes maltodextrin. Granted, I’m sure it’s very little as it’s a part of the acai fruit powder, last ingredient on the list. But still, I’m sensitive to gluten and it’s probably enough to make it taste nasty and to stuff up my head like I have a head cold. If Teavana is actually concerned with health, they need to put a warning on their teas that include maltodextrin for those with food sensitivities/allergies. I never thought tea would have maltodextrin in it, but now I know better. I will not buy this tea again. And here’s a thought: what if fruit-flavored tea included only tea and fruit! They need to dump the additives; it’s eliminating teas that I will buy from them and for family members!
I expected more of a chocolate taste…and the chocolate flavor in this tea is, well, thin. It is really overpowered by the berry flavors and the top note is surprisingly tart. Not at all what I expected in a tea inspired by Belgian Chocolate. I expected more depth of flavor and richness; not sweetness, just a richer flavor. Compared to other teas, I think Teavana’s flavored teas are good but I think they can do better on this one. I was a little disappointed.
