I was too chicken to order a full supply of this springtime blend, but I did get a free sample so I got to get a taste risk-free. Hot Cross Bun is one of the Easter flavors released by Bluebird Tea Company. This is a black tea and rooibos tea blend, though rooibos makes up the majority, so you won’t be overloaded with caffeine.
The scent of this blend was vibrant and noticeable right out of the bag. Some of the black tea was clearly a smoky lapsang souchong, but the smoked flavor was closely followed by a powerful, sweet vanilla scent. Quite the flavor duo.
Brewed, this tea continued to open up and show off its delicious ingredients. The smokiness cooled off, and became more like the suggestion of a fire in the fireplace. The creamy vanilla was heightened to the decadence of buttercream icing. Both flavors were nicely balanced by sweet and tart orange zest to bring it all together.
This is a great tea for those days that you want a sweet dessert blend, but don’t want to feel too much like a pastry chef. The whiff of rugged lapsang souchong brings a unique boldness to this brew and makes you appreciate favorite flavors like cream and citrus in a new light. Don’t be a chicken like me and the next time you can-order a full bag of this springtime tea before it’s gone!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black and Rooibos
Where to Buy: Bluebird Tea Co.
Description:
This tea is no longer available but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sticky Buns Black Tea from Jacqueline’s Tea Room
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Jacqueline’s Tea Room
Tea Description:
Black tea with honey, caramel and vanilla. Sinister!
Learn more about Jacqueline’s Tea Room here.
Taster’s Review:
I purchased this as part of a sampler offered by iHeartTeas a while back, but I’m just now getting around to tasting it. Just as well, though, because, this tea is very autumnal and goes well with this time of year! And as I’ve said before – it’s my favorite time of year, and I just love it when I grab a tea from my stash of samples and find one that fits in perfectly with the season.
Of course, I wouldn’t turn down a sticky bun any time of year. But, really, this doesn’t taste all that much like a sticky bun, at least not to me. It’s lacking that bake-y, cake-y kind of taste to it. That’s not to say it’s not delicious – it IS! The flavors of honey and caramel meld together beautifully to create a very luscious sticky bun topping, even if the bun is not there! The vanilla weaves its way in and out throughout the sip, tantalizing the taste buds. YUM!
The black tea base is pleasant, but, there is part of me that thinks that this combination of flavors might benefit from a slightly stronger base. Something that has that natural freshly baked bread kind of taste in it. Something a little bit malty, a little more powerful. As it is, it is delicious, but not really very strong, which makes this a better afternoon cuppa than a breakfast one, in this taster’s opinion.
So, this one is a little bit disappointing because I think it could be so much more than it is. A stronger, maltier base with a natural “baked goods” kind of taste to it, perhaps, or even some nutty tones might make the idea of “Sticky Buns” come across more in the flavor. But I am enjoying it for the way it is, and I certainly would not refuse a cup if it were offered. Yummy, but capable of so much more, I think!
