Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Stash Tea
Tisane Description:
Rooibos, an antioxidant-rich herb also known as red tea, combines with clove, ginger root and sweet cinnamon to create a unique, caffeine-free sweet and spicy chai.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
This Spice Dragon Red Chai Herbal Tea from Stash Tea is another gift that I received over the holidays. It was one that I hadn’t yet tried from Stash, so I was happy to have the opportunity to give it a try.
I steeped this the way I would usually steep a rooibos tisane: using 195°F water and steeping for 10 minutes. With rooibos, if I use boiling water and attempt to steep that long, I get a sort of sour wood like flavor that I don’t find agreeable. But I found by lowering the temperature slightly, I can steep the tisane for 10 minutes to get a whole lot of flavor out of the blend, and not get that weird sour wood taste.
And this isn’t too bad. It’s strongly spiced with cinnamon, and there is some ginger and clove to this too. I find myself missing cardamom here, because I think that it might offer a more well-rounded spice note, but, as it is, it’s tasty.
I taste mostly cinnamon, and it’s a sweet cinnamon – not that red-hot cinnamon candy type of cinnamon. This is a sweeter cinnamon taste. The clove adds a warmth to the cup, but I don’t taste a lot of ginger. Maybe a little more ginger would add a zesty, spicy edge to the cup.
I don’t taste a lot of rooibos flavor here. I do taste a nutty/earthy sort of flavor that I attribute to the rooibos. This nutty taste marries seamlessly with the cinnamon.
This is kind of a “one-note” type of tisane. I taste cinnamon, and a background of clove and hints of nutty rooibos. Every once in a while I detect the peppery note of ginger. But, it isn’t as complex as other rooibos chai blends I’ve tasted. It has less spicy kick to it than some rooibos blends out there. Tasty, but not the best rooibos chai I’ve ever tasted.
Blueberry Green Iced Tea Powder from Stash Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green (Powdered)
Where to Buy: Stash Tea
Tea Description:
This unique powdered green tea is made from whole green tea leaves that have been ground into a fine powder. We then add natural blueberry flavor for a refreshing, juicy taste. Just add to cold or hot water and stir, no brewing needed!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
So, a few evenings ago, I was in Chuck’s Produce and whenever I’m there, I check out their tea selections. I don’t always buy tea while I’m there, but they are one of the few “grocery” type stores that I trust to purchase tea. (I know that I’ve told the story about when I went to Wal-Mart and found a box of tea on the shelf that was a year past the expiration date? I was disgusted.)
Anyway … there was a display in the front of the store that included boxes of these “tea straws” or pixies that are powdered green tea that you just add to a bottle of water and give it a good, vigorous shake to enjoy a bottle of iced tea that isn’t overrun with sugar like you’d find in the ready to drink section. There were several flavors, but the one that grabbed my attention was this Blueberry Green Iced Tea Powder from Stash Tea.
One “straw” is enough for a 16.9 ounce bottle of water. Just tear open the pouch and pour in the green powder, then put the cap back on the bottle and shake it really good, making sure to break up any clumps. I might add that this particular tea powder mixes really easily, the few clumps that I found didn’t stay there for long … I shook the bottle for about 30 seconds and all the clumps were gone!
And this is really flavorful! The blueberry is very strong … and it overpowers the green tea a bit. I do still taste the fresh, vibrant notes of the sweet, grassy green tea, but, mostly, what I’m tasting is the sweet-tart notes of blueberry. The tartness really comes through at the end of the sip, and it lingers into the aftertaste, providing that berry ‘tingly’ sensation on the tongue long after the sip is gone.
I like this … I like that it’s not overly sweet. This is the one thing I really dislike about the ready to drink teas that are on the market … I dislike that they are so sweet that you can’t taste the tea … all you taste is sugar! UGH! What’s the point? With that much sugar, why not just crack open a can of soda, because what’s the difference, really? You aren’t tasting the tea … and I doubt you’re really getting a whole lot of health benefits of the tea leaf. Because this product is made from the whole leaf that has been ground into a fine powder … you’re getting those benefits … and even though I taste a lot of blueberry flavor and not so much green tea … I’m not tasting an overly sugared beverage and I like that.
OK … my rant is over. Ha!
Overall, I am very satisfied with this product. The price was right! (Just $1.99 at Chuck’s for a box of ten “pixie straws” of powdered green tea ready to take with you where ever you go.) The price is higher at Stash … so you might want to check the prices at your local Whole Foods or something first! But even at $3.49 … that’s a lot of refreshment for a under four bucks!
Guayusa Tea with Lemon from Stash Tea
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Guayusa
Where to Buy: Stash Tea
Tisane Description:
GUAYUSA (gwhy-you-sa) is a rare herbal tea produced from the leaves of a holly tree (ilex guayusa) native to the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador. Guayusa is naturally caffeinated and has an awakening effect similar to coffee and yerba mate. For this signature blend, we’ve combined Guayusa with lemony herbs and pure lemon oil for a slightly tart, refreshing taste.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
Having trouble staying awake when you need to? Need some caffeine, but you don’t want the ordinary cup of coffee, you want something bright and flavorful … something that will put a spring in your step?
This is the beverage for you!
Guayusa is very caffeinated – I find it to be on the same level caffeine wise as coffee but, while coffee tends to upset my stomach a few hours after I’ve consumed it, I don’t have those same ill aftereffects with Guayusa.
What I’m enjoying about this particular blend is that the vibrant, coffee-esque taste – rich and flavorful – of the Guayusa marries so well with the sunny notes of the lemon. It is sweet yet tart, but not so tart that I feel myself wanting to pucker after a sip. The tartness sparkles lightly on the tongue in the aftertaste.
I’ve tried a few Guayusa blends by now, and I really like what I’ve tasted. I can’t say that the lemon blends are my favorite (I think that I prefer chocolate! I know, duh! right?) but I do enjoy the lemon-y Guayusa blends quite a bit. Very nice, and I could see how this would be a perfect choice for those mornings when you just can’t seem to shake that groggy, sleepy feeling. This has a refreshing, energizing taste to go with the natural invigorating qualities of the Guayusa.
Guayusa with Lemon from Stash Tea Company
Tea Type:
Guayusa
Where To Buy:
Stash Tea Company
Product Description:
GUAYUSA (gwhy-you-sa) is a rare herbal tea produced from the leaves of a holly tree (ilex guayusa) native to the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador. Guayusa is naturally caffeinated and has an awakening effect similar to coffee and yerba mate. For this signature blend, we’ve combined Guayusa with lemony herbs and pure lemon oil for a slightly tart, refreshing taste.
Tasters Review:
This is really good! Surprisingly GOOD!! The Lemon is PERFECT in this! At least for my palate, it is! This is a highly flavored Guayusa and I like it! If you like Lemon this is darn tasty! I have found that Lemon Flavored and Mint Flavored Guayusa’s seem to really fit my fancy! This one was no exception! It’s certainly one of the better flavored bagged Guayusa’s I have tried. YUM!
Guayusa Tea With Mint from Stash Tea Company
Tea Type:
Guayusa
Where To Buy:
Stash Tea Company
Product Description:
GUAYUSA (gwhy-you-sa) is a rare herbal tea produced from the leaves of a holly tree (ilex guayusa) native to the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador. Guayusa is naturally caffeinated and has an awakening effect similar to coffee and yerba mate. For this signature blend, Guayusa is paired with peppermint and spearmint for a refreshing, rejuvenating blend.
Tasters Review:
Many of you know I LOVE Mint! The MORE Mint the Merrier for me! With this Guayusa with mint from Stash it has more mint than Guayusa and I am totally fine with that! The mint is strong but refreshing! I like this a lot!!! It’s Crisp, clean, helps clear the senses, too! This is a wonderfully flavored Guayusa! NICELY DONE Stash!!