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drank Cranberry Spice Hibiscus (Hibiscus Cranberry) by The Republic of Tea
1605 tasting notes

I got this as part of a 3-tin stack of seasonal blends including Hot Apple Cider and Pumpkin Spice. In the stack, this one is called Hibiscus Cranberry, but it’s the same tea as Cranberry Spice Hibiscus. Idk what’s up with that.

The dry bag smells like hibiscus and cranberry with spices. Aroma is strong cranberry spice, like Yankee Candle levels. One small cup permeates my entire living room. I do not object. The taste is exactly as advertised in the name – cranberry and hibiscus foremost with a light spice flavor underneath. I can’t pick out individual spices. The dark berry red tea is drying and very tart. I like hibiscus but this one is so tart it gives me reflux which I rarely get. Very glad there are only 12 bags per tin because this one is kind of brutal. Definitely won’t be looking for Hibiscus Cranberry next season.
Preparation
Boiling 6 min, 0 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML
4 comments
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Mastress Alita
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I’ve never tried it with a spiced hibi blend, but cold-steeping hibi in lemonade can work wonders on the tartest of hibi blends, since the lemonade adds a counter-balancing sweetness. The citrus is a nice accompanying flavor and I find it kind of tastes like raspberry lemonade afterwards.

derk
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I was going to cold brew the remainder so I will take this suggestion into consideration. Thanks.

derk
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I cold brewed 3 bags to a liter overnight and the flavors are so intense it’s like drinking a candle. Wtf. If Cranberry Hibiscus doesn’t play nice cold brewed in lemonade, this tin is going on the community table in the lobby.

Mastress Alita
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I’ve had some oddly surprising results with it, which is why even during winter I tend to keep at least one cheap lemonade concentrate in my freezer, heh.

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Comments

Mastress Alita
Delete

I’ve never tried it with a spiced hibi blend, but cold-steeping hibi in lemonade can work wonders on the tartest of hibi blends, since the lemonade adds a counter-balancing sweetness. The citrus is a nice accompanying flavor and I find it kind of tastes like raspberry lemonade afterwards.

derk
Delete

I was going to cold brew the remainder so I will take this suggestion into consideration. Thanks.

derk
Delete

I cold brewed 3 bags to a liter overnight and the flavors are so intense it’s like drinking a candle. Wtf. If Cranberry Hibiscus doesn’t play nice cold brewed in lemonade, this tin is going on the community table in the lobby.

Mastress Alita
Delete

I’ve had some oddly surprising results with it, which is why even during winter I tend to keep at least one cheap lemonade concentrate in my freezer, heh.

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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Sonoma County, California, USA

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