Queen of the Rainforest

Another from Cameron B — thanks yet again! I was thrilled I was able to try this. I will say short and sweet: this very much tastes like a berry flavored chocolate truffle. Nothing else from this ingredients list really intervenes. I can’t even taste the guayusa. The flavor combo most reminds me of a Lupicia blend, but that one is probably better just because of the black tea base. This one is fine to have around for this particular craving though.
Steep #1 // 1 1/3 teaspoons for a full mug // 20 minutes after boiling // 1-2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 2-3 minute steep

Don’t ask me why I ordered this one, I don’t even like chocolate teas…

I feel like I was drawn in by the guayusa base, as I love all of those holly-based “teas”. Sadly, I feel like I can’t even tell this is guayusa. I guess there’s a hint of earthiness in the finish? Mostly it tastes like a chocolate and strawberry flavored herbal tisane. I don’t get anything from the elderberry or blueberry, I think I’m mostly just tasting the flavoring here. Also, I’m confused why they would add green rooibos to a guayusa tea that they’re calling “energizing”. A bit odd since cutting it with more caffeine-free ingredients would make it less energizing…? There’s also monk fruit in here, but thankfully I can barely taste it. I must not have noticed that ingredient when I made my order.

Anyway, this is going to the rehoming box. Tastes like a somewhat generic chocolate-covered strawberry tea to me. Hopefully someone else will like it more.

Drank this earlier in the week but, unfortunately, it was right around the height of when I started to feel sick. Now, I don’t in any way think the tea is related to that but it definitely wasn’t a cup I was able to get into and enjoy because of how I started feeling as I was sipping it…