Blueberry Merlot

This was my first time trying this tisane. Overall, I enjoy it! I will agree that it is a bit heavy on the hibiscus. I do like hibiscus, however, and so I don’t mind this. I tasted the blueberries, and just a hint of sage.

I initially agreed with Ottawa Tea that this one was too much hibiscus, not enough sage. But my second cup is really heavy on the sage, and less so on the fruit and flowers- I got two cups worth out of the packet. I like the second cup better, although I do think this one could use a little more blueberry and less hibiscus. I’m not even sure the hibiscus needs to be in here.

The odd thing here is that the merlot name actually does seem sorta fitting. This really does taste a bit like wine to me. I had a cup of this kinda late at night the other night, and I really felt like I was drinking warm wine (which isn’t gross when you think about mulled wine). I really don’t know what to make of this one since the two cups I had were so different.

This is a tea where after I downed my sample, I knew I had to get more. It is so rich in taste and smells so good, almost like you would expect for something with the word “blueberry” in the name. I would describe it as “heavy” and “filling” as well as luxurious for your taste buds. (I finished my canister and will definitely buy more.)

Very tart. Lots of flavor. Thank you Tea Forte for the free sample. I really liked this herbal. I LOVE blueberries and liked how the flavors mingle. I think this would be good hot or iced.

My second from the Herbal Retreat sampler. Out of the packet it smells great, like blueberry muffins. It tastes like blueberry syrup though. Hot blueberry syrup with tartness from the hibiscus. Sage is somewhere in the background. Seems like it would be great iced. I’m not really a huge fan of this kind of tartness in a warm drink. It’s almost like a blueberry lemonade. Lemonade always seems better cold to me. Could definitely see it being delicious and refreshing on a hot day.

So its Tuesday and I am ready for my second go at the Tea Forte samples that I was sent. Today’s tea is the Blueberry Merlot. Opening the package, my first smell impression is the blueberry. I can also smell the rosehips and sage pretty strongly through the blend. I’m smelling something that smells a bit like currant, so that could be the merlot coming through.

Water is going to be boiling and the steep is going to be 5 minutes since that is what the package recommends.

When the tea brews, it comes out very dark purple, almost like a wine! The smell isn’t very strong in terms of blueberry, but I’m looking forward to the first sip.

But oh! It is in the first sip. My tongue exploded with that blueberry flavor…oh and the second too. Alright, so far, out of the five teas that I received from Tea Forte, this is my favorite. I am going to have to buy some more of this one.

I also really like it because it doesn’t need any sweetness added. That blueberry really just gives it exactly what it needs. The more I drink, the more I like. I can also taste something of a currant something in the aftersip. The aftertaste is also a really fruity blueberry. Its official. I want some more of this one.

I tried this tea as part of the Tea Forte Herbal Retreat Single Steeps Sampler. The aroma of the dried tea was very fruity – it definitely smelled like blueberries and was slightly floral. After 5 minutes of brewing, the tea smelled delicious – rich blueberry and a touch of floral.

Upon first taste it was lovely – tart, slightly sweet and very fruity. I definitely think that the rosehips and hibiscus contribute to the tartness and overall fruity flavour, so if you’re not big on hibiscus, this may not be the tea for you.

Then on the backend I got the sage taste. For me, while I like sage, the mixture of sage and blueberry is weird for me and I felt it was out of place in this blend. So while I enjoyed trying this tea, the inclusion of the sage will keep me from buying it. But thank to Tea Forte for sending me the sample – I’m sure I’ll find a tea that I really enjoy in the pack!

I have to start by saying that I am not a big fan of blueberries. It’s 8:20 AM and I’m getting off of a ridiculously miserable night at work. I received my samples yesterday and I am very excited to try them.

I read the reviews while it was steeping and I was nervous to take the first sip. No sweetener/milk.
I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is, but something makes me feel very nostalgic while drinking this tea in bed.

I do enjoy it though. I’m trying not to. Damnit, I can NOT enjoy something that tastes like blueberries!

Would I buy this again? Possibly. It’s something light that I can drink before bed without any bitter aftertaste.

More sage, less hibiscus, and this would be a far better tisane. It smells lovely, but is a little too astringent. I love blueberries, so I was hoping for more. le sigh

Writing this as I sip my first brew and wait for the resteep… if you watch How I Met Your Mother then you know what I mean when I say this is how I imagined a Thankstini to taste! Dry, it smells lovely. It is a beautiful looking blend and produces a beautiful color! I used boiling water and steeped for 5 min, per the instructions. Upon tasting, I get overwhelmed by the scent of sage and then the tartness of (too much) hibiscus hits my tongue. I tried adding a little agave in an attempt to bring out the blueberry. Not a huge improvement but it isn’t necessarily bad. I am sensitive to sage so to me this smells like a box of Stove Top stuffing (mixed with tart “berry”, hence the Thankstini reference!). I really want to like this so I am giving it another chance; hopefully the resteep will give me what I want.