Here you get some strawberry, followed by the tasty, nutty base. I don’t think there’s much about it that says pie. The strawberry tastes pretty fresh and vibrant. Fully cooled, it all combines into a pretty delicious, cohesive whole. I’m glad I followed the steeping instructions because I usually wouldn’t steep a rooibos for ten minutes, but I think that’s what really allowed the strawberry flavor to shine. It’s so fresh and bright, and the base is supportive and perfect, with a touch of warming spices. This one turned out way better than I expected.
Comments
When I make rooibos, I just bag it and leave the bag in my cup indefinitely. I swear I get better flavors on herbals that way.
Huh, I feel like I’ve steeped rooibos too long and ended up with unpleasant flavors (in some blends, not others).
Rooibos doesn’t have tannins, so I’ve never had an issue with it. If I’m going to get “off” notes, I get the same off notes after 3 minutes of steeping that I would after 13 minutes of steeping (for me, often a certain fruit flavoring brings out the “medicinal” in the rooibos, and that is the fault of the flavoring agents, not the steep). The only herbal I’m more careful with is lavender teas, since I do get a bitter taste in the cup if I steep lavender grandpa-style.
That is a long steep!
When I make rooibos, I just bag it and leave the bag in my cup indefinitely. I swear I get better flavors on herbals that way.
Huh, I feel like I’ve steeped rooibos too long and ended up with unpleasant flavors (in some blends, not others).
I do that too! I just leave rooibos/honeybush teas in the cup or steep for a really long time.
Rooibos doesn’t have tannins, so I’ve never had an issue with it. If I’m going to get “off” notes, I get the same off notes after 3 minutes of steeping that I would after 13 minutes of steeping (for me, often a certain fruit flavoring brings out the “medicinal” in the rooibos, and that is the fault of the flavoring agents, not the steep). The only herbal I’m more careful with is lavender teas, since I do get a bitter taste in the cup if I steep lavender grandpa-style.
Personally, I think if I let a flavored rooibos steep for 10 minutes, I’d just taste rooibos. Shorter steeps (sometimes only 45 seconds) seem to bring out more of the flavor for me, rather than the base. But I guess to each their own and I guess it also depends on the tea. :D