Cinnamon Anise Rooibos 2011

Name; Cinnamon Anise Rooibos

Type; Infusion, Rooibos (South Africa) along with Cinnamon, Star Anise, and Jasmine Blossoms

Price; £ 1.50 for 50 grams from Anteaques.

http://anteaques.co.uk/infusions/cinnamonaniserooibos

“The subtle sweetness of cinnamon, the floral notes of jasmine blossoms and the gentle spiciness of star anise are blended together with the rich honey tones of rooibos. A smooth blend which can be enjoyed all day and late into the evening.

Each flavour is wonderfully balanced with the rich and mellow rooibos base. Naturally caffeine free and low in tannins, this is a heavenly infusion, both purifying and lush.”

Review; Its not often that I review rooibos, or flavoured “teas” for that matter. But Cinnamon Anise Rooibos has been on my “to review” list for too long. I don’t really like rooibos, its…blah. I drink it when I want something warming, without the caffeine (I have a very low caffeine tolerance…which when I get around to reviewing Matcha will provide evidence of). That being said rooibos has some very interesting characteristics to it. This malty honey flavour that is almost a bit like Mead and a fruit juice mixed.

Add cinnamon, anise, and jasmine blossoms and you get a bizarre mixture. I wouldn’t say its possible to detect the jasmine blossoms on their own, which is what really adds to this blend, but provides this floral background to providing the harmony of the other spices. Sweet, and yet still spicy, reminds me of an oriental night with a cool breeze. Its very pleasant and impossible to over brew, which leads to a guilty pleasure of mine. Cooking with tea. I know I’m not the first to do this by a long shot, but cooking with the liquid tea I find quite pleasurable. Rooibos I find goes wonderful with a wholemeal loaf with a couple spoonfuls of honey, or instead of boiling rice in water, boil it in a green tea infused with jasmine blossoms.

And over the summer, I shall be doing over brewed Jasmine teas mixed with gin!

Enjoy!

-Tea Fan

Lemongrass and Marigold

Lemongrass and Marigold

"A startling blend of lemon grass, freeze-dried strawberries and marigold blossoms. The strawberry flavours burst through the tangy lemon grass to create an intense lemon berry blend. The marigold blossoms add an absinthian whisper.

Freshly cut lemon grass has an extraordinary, slightly rose like, lemon aroma. Marigolds a bitter-sweet, anise like flavour. Together with the freeze-dried strawberries, the combination is both intense and exhilarating."

Type; Infusion, Indian/Mixture, Lemongrass, Strawberry, Marigold, Lemon , Apple, Pineapple

Price; £ 4.00 for 100 grams from Anteaques.

http://anteaques.co.uk/infusions/lemongrassandmarigold

Review; Describing this infusion is always very interesting. It rapidly became one of Anteaques's best selling "teas" (Tea is strictly defined as from origin of Camellia Sinensis). I'd imagine as summer progresses this will only increase. At the tea tasting comparison I briefly mentioned before with Bouteaque Blue Mist, this infusion actually took first place. (There was a bit of contention over whether an infusion should be allowed to take first).

The taste is very unique. It almost interacts on the tongue similar to Champagne, affecting several locations at the same time. A tart zest that progresses into a distinct sweetness. Complex tastes for an herbal infusion (I am an eliteast), it certainly enjoys a benefit of never over-brewing. I enjoyed this tea with two other friends, and while we got to laughing at some of the descriptions and trying to describe the tea, I feel it is only fitting to relay their opinions. "Yellow" "sweet, citric, lemon out the citri, tantalizing" and apparently "it tastes just like tang". I believe the addition of Marigold flowers was a wonderful decision. In China Marigold tea is the most popular tea to drink during the summer. The flowers have a wonderful tartness to them that just seems to complement the heat of the day.

Regardless the flavours are well presented in this tea, and while I would never have really imagined strawberries and lemongrass ever working together, they both add subtle characteristics and notes to each other.

I strongly suggest trying this infusion for the summer.

Enjoy!

-Tea Fanatic

I have felt the need to include some of the other reviews my friends thought up.

"tastes like pondweed"

"lemongrass and flowers"

"Lemsip without bitterness"

followed shortly by "maybe it just says a lot about Lemsip"