Often, when I’m about to review a tea, I ask myself: what does this tea make me think of? What memory is associated with these flavors? But you guys– I couldn’t even do it with this one. The flavors of “fruit punch” are apparently so ingrained in my childhood that even with thoughts long and hard, I couldn’t pinpoint one specific memory, just a flood of tasting this exact fruity mix over and over again throughout the years. (And ending up with a cherry-red-stained mouth every time!)
This oolong blend from The Necessiteas is impressive– even just by scent alone, it is spot-on, bright red fruit punch flavor. You know, the kind that comes in those little juice tubs that look like barrels? Cherry red and bursting with flavor, this is it. I of course had to brew this one iced– is there even another option? I got the same scent in the brewed tea as the dry leaf, but upon sipping, the candy-cherry had mellowed out a bit to brew into a slightly more lightly fruity brew. I couldn’t really pick out specific oolong flavors here, but I can imagine them competing with the fruit, so it’s probably better that they took a backseat. On the whole, this one was tasty iced, but with the plethora of iced tea options I have at my disposal, it’s not one I adored so much that I feel the need to make it again and again.
That said– if you’re able to pick out much more specific cherry-punch-flavored from your memory than I, I think this one is going to be delightfully right up your alley– no cherry-stained-mouth necessary!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
This blend brings back childhood memories of me at the pool with a red stained smile on my face. What is even better about this tea, you don’t have to have a red stained smile to be happy. Fruit punch is a spring and summer must have around here! If it’s a party, shower or barbecue, they just seem to go hand in hand. So obviously I had to create a punch inspired tea. If you’re anything like me and enjoyed that sweet red punch as a kid then you’ll love this refreshing combo of strawberry, cherry and orange.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Maracuja Orange from Gypsy Soul Teas. . . . .
Something happens to my tea cabinet in the spring. All of the hearty, heavier black teas get pushed to the back, and the light, fresh, vegetal greens and fruit herbals seem to float like cream to the top. I’ve just spent a winter sipping on the tea-equivalent of a warm blanket and wool socks– give me sandals and sunglasses in my cup instead, please and thanks!
And once the calendar flips to summer, its even unlikelier that I’ll be sipping on ANYTHING hot. In my A/C-less apartment with my German ancestry, not made for heat waves– iced tea reigns supreme. When I pulled this sample out of my stash, bright and bold, with big orange chunks and bright red bits of…something? I knew it would make a great iced choice for the start of the warmer season.
Cold-brewed overnight, this tea turns delightfully pink– I’m guessing, as a result of the beetroot pieces in the blend. I expected more orange-juice-orange flavors, but what I’m getting instead is a blend of juicy fruits, with just a hint of bitterness at the end. Maybe it’s the hibiscus? Maybe it’s the interesting addition of pumpkin and carrot in this dry mix? Either way, it’s not unpleasant, but it isn’t quiet what I was expecting either.
My recommendation? Go into this sip without the expectations of fresh oranges, but rather, a big ol’ party-o-fruits, and you’ll be super pleased with your iced cup. Unusual? Sure. But great as the temps start to rise and you’re looking for something refreshing to fill your cup?
Definitely.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Gypsy Soul Teas
Description
Fresh & Fruity! Exotic Passion fruit orange fruit tea. Caffeine free. Great hot or iced.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Orange Date Cake from Steeped Tea. . . .
Orange Date Cake from Steeped Tea. Whit a name like that I knew I HAD to try it! Best part was it’s dairy and guilt free! It contains Date Bits which are made up of Dates and Rice Flour, Currants, Sunflower Oil, Orange Wedges, Cinnamon Bits, Fig Bits which are made up of Figs and Rice Flour, and flavors.
I was super excited that they used the Rice Flour as the ingredient for the cake likeness and not actual cake chunks that could contain dairy and/or eggs! And I was also stoked that they used Sunflower Oil for the anti-caking agent and clearly noted that on the bag!
Orange Date Cake from Steeped Tea was pretty fantastic! I have to admit I was completely blown away with the flavor of these natural ingredients! The Dates and Figs were so wonderfully sweet! The Orange was juicy-citrus at it’s best! The Cinnamon played an important part, too, and was hefty on it’s own. YUM!
This is a VERY LARGE and CHUNKY blend of ingredients. You can see everything without looking real close.
It has sweet and almost caramel-like notes to it in addition to a brown sugar flavor without it actually having any added sugars! Only the natural sugars from the dried fruits here, folks!
Yeah! Totally LOVING this Fruit Tea/Tisane. I don’t know if I have ever said that about a fruit based tea. This was a beautiful surprise!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Tisane
Where to Buy: Steeped Tea
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Wild Orange Blossom from Teavana. . . . .
When I first discovered tea I had no idea what I was doing. I went to DAVIDsTEA and Teavana and bought at least 50 grams of everything that seemed remotely interesting. Though, in light of Teavana’s business practices at the time, the 50 grams I asked for of a bunch of different teas ended up weighing closer to 100 grams due to sneaky overpouring. So, I ended up with a bunch of large quantities of teas I never tried before and since I didn’t know any other methods of brewing, if I did not like them hot, I was just sort of stuck with them. Luckily, I found Steepster and swapping and was able to take those large quantities and trade them for new things, which expanded my tea knowledge extensively.
Fruit teas were especially problematic for me because almost all of them include hibiscus or rosehip which tends to drown out everything else. So while the teas smell sweet and juicy, they are essentially just tart, especially when brewed hot. My answer to this? Cold brewing. It has a tendency to tame the tart which gives the other flavors a fighting chance. Alas, this was only discovered after I had given up on so many fruit blends, this one included. That is why when I saw this in the Great Canadian Traveling Tea Box I decided to give it another try, though this time as a cold brew.
Even cold brewed though, it seems this just isn’t for me. Between the fruits and the florals, this is a rather cloying tea. The top note is orange and apple with hibby in the middle creating a divide and settling on the sweet rose base. It also has a waxy quality that sometimes comes with fruit teas which makes this whole tea seem over processed and artificial. I know Teavana tends to blend this with another tea and perhaps that helps to balance out the flavors and hide some elements that are less desirable here. As it is though, I am just not a fan.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Fruit Tea
Where to Buy: Teavana
Description
A tribute to the plentiful citrus groves along the Indian River, this bright favorite blends orange slices and pretty rose petals.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Spiced Orappangele Green Tea from 52Teas. . . . . .
I woke up feeling my throat was an exploded landmine. What did I need, aside from a mountain of cold medicine? A tea. A GREEN tea. That’s HEALTHY, yeah?
Sure. It’s healthy as heck. I’m going to live forever.
I picked around my work tea basket and this one spoke to me.
“Hello,” Spiced Orappangele Green Tea whispered. “You have taken too much Robitussin. You should not operate machinery or respond to my voice aloud.”
“Why can’t I respond to you aloud?” I asked. Everyone in my office looked at me quizzically.
“Ahhhh,” I said, in my head. “I get it now.”
“Try me. I am the thing. I am TOTES the thing,” it said.
And it IS, guys. This is the citrus-sweet-light-spice concoction of your dreams. It’s a throat soother. It’s a taste sensation. It’s tasty enough to break the barrier of cold-tastelessness, but not so strong as to upset my delicate stomach.
(When I get sick, my stomach gets upset. When I am stressed out, my stomach gets upset. When I eat too much unhealthy food, my stomach gets upset. When I work out too hard, my stomach gets upset. My stomach is also upset by: virtual reality, strong smells, the sight of raw meat, flight turbulence, trying to read in the car, crying, fear, and being hungry too long.)
(I am a delicate flower.)
This flavor is juicy, but not fake. It doesn’t have that weird tart Jolly-Rancher thing that a lot of apple flavors do. The cinnamon/nutmeg also take this high-flying sweetness a little bit more down to earth.
I daresay this tea is sugar, and spice, and everything nice.
This tea isn’t available on 52Teas’ site right now, but I recommend keeping an eye out for apple mixes and spice mixes from them in the future. They seem to be nailing these really well lately.
Stay healthy, Sisters!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for what is currently available.
