Just had to try this one to compare it to DAVIDsTEA’s way too tart version from the fall collection, especially since I had a conversation with Anne about hibiscus in confectionery themed teas and she left me feeling pretty assured that this wouldn’t be the same sort of cider-y tart/hibiscus tart profile…
Well, she didn’t lie.
- Much more buttery than the DT version
- That element alone kind of already makes this seem like a better recreation
- Sweet, with clear blueberry notes which taste natural/realistic
- I LOVE seeing the big blueberry pieces in the leaf, as well
- Maybe a little tart? Which is kind of jarring next to the buttery aspect
- But it’s a more successful version than DT’s one overall
- By quite a bit, actually…
Next thing I want to try with this one is adding milk, since that’s actually an option for this tea but wasn’t for the DT one. I can only imagine it’ll improve the illusion.
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I don’t really care for hibiscus much so it is unlikely that you’ll find hibiscus in one of my blends unless I feel like the blend really needs the thick texture or tart flavor of the hibiscus in it. I had a couple of blends that I used hibiscus in during my LiberTEAS days. One was my Meadow Nocturne and the other was Candy Shoppe. I have been asked to reblend my Candy Shoppe and I’m considering doing that without the hibiscus and rosehips. Not sure how it’ll turn out . . .
Some of us like hibiscus. A lot even. :)
I purposely didn’t buy this blend because I was ruined by the DT version. Hibiscus belongs in tart iced teas, not pastry/dessert flavours. It is one of those ingredients (much like smoke, licorice root, cinnamon, coconut, and rose hips) that one must be careful with. It is a shame that so many blends have high hibiscus concentrations when a smaller amount of hibiscus would taste much better.
I’ll have to try to sample the 52Teas version!
@Evol
Don’t get me wrong – hibiscus has its place in the tea world. Confectionery themed teas, I think, just isn’t one of them.
For the most part, Ms. Strange, I agree with you on this.
I don’t really care for hibiscus much so it is unlikely that you’ll find hibiscus in one of my blends unless I feel like the blend really needs the thick texture or tart flavor of the hibiscus in it. I had a couple of blends that I used hibiscus in during my LiberTEAS days. One was my Meadow Nocturne and the other was Candy Shoppe. I have been asked to reblend my Candy Shoppe and I’m considering doing that without the hibiscus and rosehips. Not sure how it’ll turn out . . .
Some of us like hibiscus. A lot even. :)
I purposely didn’t buy this blend because I was ruined by the DT version. Hibiscus belongs in tart iced teas, not pastry/dessert flavours. It is one of those ingredients (much like smoke, licorice root, cinnamon, coconut, and rose hips) that one must be careful with. It is a shame that so many blends have high hibiscus concentrations when a smaller amount of hibiscus would taste much better.
I’ll have to try to sample the 52Teas version!
@Evol
Don’t get me wrong – hibiscus has its place in the tea world. Confectionery themed teas, I think, just isn’t one of them.
For the most part, Ms. Strange, I agree with you on this.