culinary circle

Tried this one at work today. I love raspberries but dislike hibiscus, so I didn’t have super-high hopes. As I expected, this was quite similar to Celestial Seasonings’ Raspberry Zinger. It brews up to a deep pink color with a heavy raspberry aroma. The flavor starts off with sweet berry, but then shifts into tart hibiscus at the end of the sip. A bit of astringency lingers in the aftertaste. I would drink this again, but only if there were no better options available.

I love the combination of flavors!

Bagged
Aroma when Dry: toothpaste, soapy, minty
After water is first poured: toothpaste minty, fresh
At end of first steep: sour, floral
Tea liquor:
At end of first steep: light minty green
Staple? Type yes, this brand no
Preferred time of day: Any
Taste:
At first: flat mint, sour grassy close
As it cools? mint oil starts to be more noticable
Additives used (milk, honey, sugar etc)? No
Lingers? Yes, with generic mintyness

One of my favorites! Very rich and flavorful.

Bagged
Aroma when Dry: fruity, sweet, berry notes linger
After water is first poured: still sweet, blackberry then raspberry notes
At end of steep: floral, fruity, berries dominate, no hibiscus notes noticeable
Tea liquor:
At end of steep: floral, hibiscusy, berry red
Staple? Yes Summer seasonal
Time of day preferred: any, seasonal
Taste:
first notes: berry, blended, blackberry a bit more noticeable, slight astringency, hibiscus barely noticeable
As it cools? Hibiscus notes stand out a bit, tea balances in sweetness berry notes blend
Additives used (milk, honey, sugar etc)? Not for tasting, have used agave in summer, chilled successfully
Lingers? Only faintly, hints of berry, leaves a dry note.
Prefer chilled