Frank’s original description of this tea went like this:
It’s starting to warm up, so I hope you will forgive me if I got sidetracked thinking about ice cream, but wow, is this GOOD!
Our caffeine-free African Honeybush (If you are still not familiar with honeybush, it is very similar to Rooibos, but a bit sweeter and without the woody aftertaste that rooibos frequently has) blended with organic vanilla beans, organic cacao nibs, freeze-dried strawberry pieces and all natural flavors. This is a real treat hot or iced!
I stayed pretty true to the recipe except that in addition to organic cacao nibs, I also added organic cacao shells because I love the chocolate-y flavor they impart!
And it is indeed a real treat!
organic ingredients: honeybush, freeze-dried strawberries, cacao shells, cacao nibs, vanilla beans & natural flavors
Yummy!
I have been looking forward to taste testing this tea ever since I blended it – maybe even before! I really enjoyed the original blend of this tea from Frank’s era – if you want to read my review of it, you can check it out here. Oh – and for the record, since I stated in the above description that I didn’t remember if I had tried this one iced – when I was searching for that review, I noticed that I did, in fact, try (and review!) this blend iced – or at least the Southern Boy Teas version of it iced!
Anyway, I’m really enjoying my reblend of this tea too. My first couple of sips were just a little disappointing but I must admit that I broke my own rule and started sipping without waiting the 10 minute cool time. I couldn’t help it, it’s been a while since I’ve done a chocolate tea of any sort and I do enjoy a nice chocolate note in my tea!
Those first couple of sips weren’t horrible or anything – but the flavor seemed a little ‘muddled’ – but now that the tea has cooled for the aforementioned 10 minutes, the flavors have really popped and I taste the vanilla, the strawberry and the chocolate – there’s a pleasant creaminess to it. I don’t get a strong flavor from the honeybush but when I really focus on what I’m tasting, I can pick up on the nutty tones from the honeybush. But mostly, what I taste is chocolate, vanilla and strawberry!
Ingredients: honeybush, freeze-dried strawberries, cacao shells, cacao nibs, vanilla beans & natural flavors
to brew: use 1 1/2 rounded teaspoons of tea to 12 ounces of hot water (heated to 195°F) and allow to steep for 6 – 10 minutes. I went with 8 minutes and I got a good representation of each flavor – however, because this is a honeybush blend – you can steep it for longer without worry of tannins making it bitter. In fact, in one of my aforementioned reviews, I suggested brewing it in a glass infuser tumbler like this one and just leave the leaves steeping while you sip.
If you choose not to use one of those nifty tumblers – strain after steeping and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes. Enjoy. My first cuppa, I tried it without sugar and it was really good. For my second taste test, I added about 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar and I found that this heightened the flavors of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla a bit.
It is good isn’t it? 52Teas makes the best honeybush blends. :) try it as a latte!
Recommended latte-making procedure? I only have enough for one cup left and don’t want to ruin it!
Well, my latte making methods are really lame but you are welcome to do it my way if you want. haha I basically make a batch double strength, then heat some milk and add to the tea. sweeten and drink. It’s a really ghetto latte, but I like it. :)
I’ll try something along those lines :D