149 Tasting Notes
I think this is one of the better blends Teavana has sold, as well as one of the better chais. I understand this blend has now been discontinued. Lack of sales? I liked the spicy, peppery flavors which were enhanced with the addition of German Rock Salt (Teavana also). I also added vanilla almond milk (decreasing the amount of sugar then) which made it smooth, spicy, and a little sweet.
This is a fairly enjoyable green tea with light berry flavors. Very light. And the green tea is fine, it is neither good nor bad, it is pretty much middle of the road. I don’t know if I would seek out this tea again, or just buy better quality plain greens when I’m in the mood for green tea.
The description of this tea on Teavana’s website made it sound so good, so cranberry-flavored, I could hardly wait to get my tea order. What a disappointment! The tea was WAY too sweet to be considered cranberry-flavored; more like “cranberry-punch with lots of sugar.” Cranberries are far down the list of ingredients, with sugar, pineapple, and hibiscus figuring prominently. I couldn’t understand why I also had a strong metallic aftertaste when drinking this tea; then I read that the ingredients included MALTODEXTRIN, sugar distarch phosphate, sodium alginate, and riboflavin. YUCK!!!!!!!! What the hell is maltodextrin doing in tea? I am gluten-sensitive and that may have accounted for the fact that this tea left an aftertaste in my mouth akin to what I think chewing on an aluminum can would. Never again.
This is a fairly tart tea with a distinctive flavor of blueberries (second ingredient). It can be a little bit flat unless you add a wedge of organic lemon (generally a sweeter lemon flavor) which really picks up and enhances the flavor. Enjoyable, light tea for daytime.
This is a rich-flavored, almost thick fruity tea. What I like about it is the wine-like body and the strong flavor of grapes (grapes are the first ingredient). Tartness is added by the use of Hibiscus flowers as the second ingredient; but it works. Most Teavana teas have far too much Hibiscus but this one has a nice balance. Very rich berry flavors. I think they could’ve left out the Stevia leaves, the tea would be sweet enough.
Teavana describes this tea as having a “robust cacao” flavor. The envelope that I purchased definitely did NOT have a robust flavor of cacao or chocolate; what I could taste is mate. I will give them credit for having oolong tea as the first ingredient; however, the description far exceeded the product. I did not find this tea to be anymore enjoyable than a plain oolong, and possibly not as enjoyable. Not horrible, just not great.
Although orange flavoring is well down the list of ingredients, I like this tea. It has nice, citrusy and bright flavor. A little bit of German rock sugar adds some sweetness. I just happened to try this tea in the Mall of America store a couple of years ago and liked it. Of course, I was sold a too-large canister of German rock sugar, which I am still using. But this tea is one that I will order again.
My second favorite fruit-flavored green tea from Teavana. Green tea is the first ingredient on the list; unfortunately cranberries are ahead of pomegranate flavors, as well as sunflower oil as a part of the cranberries. I find that to be an odd ingredient in a fruit-flavored tea, but still, this tea does taste good. Especially with an organic lemon wedge to brighten up the flavors. I have ordered it online more than once and continue to like the taste.
On first taste, this tea clearly tastes of hibiscus, not strawberries. Hibiscus is the first ingredient and white tea is the third; I find that this is a somewhat tart cup for it to be called “Strawberry Cream.” It IS a decent hibiscus tea, but there is the lingering “cream” aftertaste that just tastes artificial. At first I liked this tea, but as I’ve consumed my 2 ounce envelope, I just don’t think I’ll order it again. I found that an organic lemon wedge helps the flavor; yes it makes it more sour, but I think it also makes it better.
I see a common theme in reviews of Teas from Teavana; too much fruit, way too much hibiscus, not nearly enough tea. I agree. I am becoming much pickier in the teas I drink and I am really noticing the lack of tea leaves.
