Luminous Lemon Rooibos

This was actually called Precious Lemon Rooibos on the tin but the ingredients are the same, so I’m assuming this is the same tea just with the name changed. I got it out of the Travelling Teabox and I ended up just taking the entire tin to reduce the overall weight (nuuu flat-rate boxes for me I’m afraid).

I was expecting this to taste super tart and lemony but the lemon flavour is in fact quite subdued. There’s a lightly foral, faintly spiced sweetness to the tea. None of the ingredients are really shouting out to me or otherwise making themselves obnoxious and all together it’s quite a well-balanced tea. I can taste the woody flavour of the rooibos mostly of the end of each sip, but it’s quite faint and blends it well – so I’ll forgive it for just this once. ;)

Finishing up the last of my sample that Doulton so kindly sent me a while back. I do like this but I really have to be in the mood for it. So far, rooibos and I haven’t really gotten along. I think he is too sour and strongly scented, he thinks I just enjoy complaining and being picky. I’m still determined to find a rooibos blend where rooibos isn’t the primary flavor or scent. Any suggestions?

Earlier this afternoon I had the Samurai Chai Mate from Teavana, and the grittiness left me with a desperate need to grab something to wash out the little granules it had left behind. The smoothness of this tea was a refreshing succor, while its taste was perplexing.

When I see a tea with lemon in its name, I can’t seem to avoid comparing it to Lemon Zinger. This was nothing like its lemon-drop effect – in fact, it’s difficult to even taste the lemon. All I can identify is a slight aftertaste. From the name, I was expecting something a little more in your face. But that’s okay – it’s nice and soothing, and that’s exactly what I was looking for this afternoon.

I got this as a sample from Doulton (thanks!) but I’ve been reluctant to try it as I knew the bar had been set way high for lemon flavored Rooibos by SpecialTeas Rooibos Lemon Chiffon. Sadly, I was right. I don’t think anything can compare to that.

This sample just tastes like a lemon sucker (from the bank) and rooibos tea. Not much to write home about. Just on the edge of drinkable.

not overly fruity or flowery, thankfully. good hot, better iced.

I’m not picking up as much lemon in this tea as I’d like. I’ve had some lemon teas that are just so lemon-y, and it is so wonderful when that happens, but this is… much more rooibos and flower with a touch of lemon than the other way around. It’s a nice, soothing blend, but it disappoints me that it doesn’t live up to its name.
A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but words come with promises and expectations, and the right name would let me appreciate this tea much more, I think.